2. Check your assignment!
Check with your instructor!
If all else fails…
Modern Language Association: English and some Humanities (Foreign
Language and Literatures, Literary Criticism, Comparative Literature,
Cultural Studies, etc.)
American Psychological Association: Sciences, Social Sciences
(Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Criminology), Business, Nursing
Chicago/Turabian: History
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT STYLE TO USE?
3. Tradition and discipline expectations
Different citation styles have developed over time to address the
specific needs of different disciplines.
Citation styles are similar to each other, but each citation style
conforms to what is respected and accepted by the professionals in
the field.
Using the discipline-preferred style helps your reader
“decipher the code” of your source list
Your reader may not be in the same field as you, or may not have the
same knowledge as you. If you use the proper style, your reader will
be able to reference the style guidelines without question and be
able to locate your sources.
WHY USE THE PROPER STYLE?
4. Gives credit to the sources of information and ideas
Helps your reader to locate the resources you used, if they’d
like to follow up
Provides evidence of your research
Assists in avoiding unintentional plagiarism
Looks professional
WHY USE CITATIONS?
5. A well-written paper will have: quotes, paraphrases, &
summaries
Support and credibility
Multiple viewpoints
Provide emphasis by using author’s own words
Intermix sources with your own words, analysis, thoughts, &
ideas
Be sure your paper is still in your own voice!
HOW SHOULD I INCORPORATE SOURCES?
6. Direct quote use the exact words of the author
Keep your quotes short!
Only quote what is needed—leave everything else out.
You CAN directly quote a part of the passage, but you cannot change
the meaning of the original words.
Use quotes when only when needed
Try for two lines of analysis per direct quote
HOW OFTEN CAN I QUOTE?
7. You can remove excess information from direct quotes as long
as you DO NOT change the meaning of the quote.
Use brackets [] to make a change such as “he” to the name
Original: According to her,
Changed: According to [Brittany Dudek],
Use … to indicate where what you’ve omitted part of the
quote.
George Washington, the first President of the United States, stated
George Washington … stated
CAN I CHANGE A QUOTE?
8. Rephrase ideas in your own words
Changing a few words is not sufficient
Cite!
WHAT IS PARAPHRASING?
http://www.writingcenter.pdx.edu/resources/guide/step09.php#detail1
9. Citations are necessary whenever you…
Refer directly to someone else’s work or ideas
Use direct quotes
Paraphrase
Summarize
WHEN DO I NEED TO CITE?
10. Usually, but not always, common knowledge information
consists of facts or dates
You don’t have to cite information that is considered common
knowledge
If the fact/date/information can be found undocumented in 5
different sources, it is probably common knowledge
Exception: If you have personal or professional experience
that is common knowledge in your particular field (biology, for
example), always assume your reader does not have that
same knowledge and cite your source.
WHAT ABOUT COMMON KNOWLEDGE?
11. If you’ve personally lived the experience, had your own
observations and thoughts, and made your own conclusions,
you do not need to cite yourself.
Exception: If you have personal or professional experience
that is common knowledge in your particular field (biology, for
example), always assume your reader does not have that
same knowledge and cite your source.
DO I HAVE TO CITE PERSONAL
EXPERIENCES?
12. Double-check your source for the missing information
Determine if the source is credible
Missing information (author, date, etc.) could be a tip that the
resource isn’t the most credible source and you should look for a new
one.
Check out the CRAP test!
If you’ve determined the source is credible, create your
citation using the information available
WHAT IF I DON’T KNOW X, Y, OR Z THAT
NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED IN MY CITATION?
13. Use the CRAP test to decide if the website you’d like to use is
a credible source.
If it does not pass the CRAP test, you should locate a different
website to use.
If you’re not familiar with the CRAP test, please view the next
page.
HOW CAN I TELL IF A WEBSITE IS
CREDIBLE?
14.
15. A thesis is an argumentative statement which states the
conclusions you’ve made about your topic.
It must be specific enough to be proven within the constraints
of your assignment (if your assignment says 5 pages, you
must be able to prove your thesis in 5 pages).
You may need to revise your thesis as your locate and use
sources, and write your paper. Be ready to revisit your thesis
and make revisions when necessary.
WHAT IS A THESIS STATEMENT?
16. A thesis statement is usually, but not always, placed at the
end of the introductory paragraph.
Your thesis should be in the same font and size as the rest of
the body of your paper. Neither MLA or APA style guides
require or recommend changing the formatting of your thesis
statement to provide emphasis. Your instructor, however, may
ask you to use formatting to point out your thesis. Always
listen to your instructor.
Thesis statements do not require additional formatting, such
as highlighting, underlining, italicizing, quotations marks, font
style, or font size are needed.
WHERE DOES MY THESIS STATEMENT GO
AND DOES IT NEED ANY FORMATTING?
17. CCCOnline Librarian
cccolibrarian@ccconline.org
Online tutoring
http://www.ccconline.org/tutoring-services/
Home College Libraries and Academic Support Services
http://ccconline.libguides.com/AccessLocal
Your instructor
HOW CAN I GET HELP?
Notas do Editor
Most of the time an assignment/or syllubus will have the assignment style expectations listed
If not…
Different citation styles have developed over time to address the specific needs of different disciplines.
It's largely that the disciplines vary widely, so the idea is that the citations styles need to conform to what's accepted and respected by each discipline. Many of them are very similar to one another (MLA, APA, Chicago, not terribly different in the big scheme of things!)
Think about it like this… If you head to a different country, and can speak a little bit of the language you can probably get by with a bit of confusion on both your part and the person your trying to communicate with. But… you’d need a translator or dictionary to really communicate effectively—to make sure you’re using “the right words” in the “right order” so the person your talking to can really understand you. Likewise. The different citation styles ensure that you use the “right words” in the “right order” so that your reader can understand you.
-anything you don’t credit should come from you!
A well-written paper should have quotes, paraphrases and summaries intermixed with your own words
Makes sure your paper is still in your voice
Here is a good example of paraphrasing from Portland State.
Double check that you can’t find what your looking for. Sometimes putting it down and looking later is helpful—or ask a friend.
Use the CRAP test—to evaluate the currency, relevancy/reliability, authority and purpose