Citing Sources to Responsibly Use Information
1. Introduction to Plagiarism
Concepts and Definition
- To avoid plagiarism, it is important to learn to cite the sources you use in your research. According to Dictionary.com, plagiarism is the unauthorized use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another author and the representation of them as one's own original work.
- Source: "plagiarism." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 15 Apr. 2009. Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/plagiarism.
- CCSF Policy from “Rules of Student Conduct” : "Plagiarism is defined as the unauthorized use of the language and thought of another author and representing them as your own". Plagiarism is a violation of the rules of student conduct, and discipline may include, but is not limited to, "a failing grade in an assignment, test, or class in proven cases of cheating or plagiarism or other academic dishonesty".
2. Incorporating Information and Ideas from Other Sources
- Paraphrasing is expressing another person's work in your own words, while still giving credit to the other person's original work. It requires changing more than a few words.
- Quoting means providing another person's words exactly as they are expressed, with no changes or omissions, and clearly stating the source of the words.
- Summarizing is using your own words to explain another author's main idea(s) in much briefer form than the original work. It is similar to paraphrasing, but paraphrasing generally restates a short section of a work, while summarizing condenses longer material. Again, credit must be given to the original source of information.
For more information, try:
3. Citing Sources to Avoid Plagiarism
- When citing sources in a paper, there are two components. First, you must include brief information within the text of the paper to indicate your source (in-text citation). Then you must include a complete citation or reference in a list of works cited. Select a sample paper from the website below, and look for the citation format for in-text and “Works Cited.” Research and Documentation Online by Diana Hacker
- Several citation style/format guides exist to tell you how to properly format your paper and to make citations or references consistent and understandable to the reader. Most CCSF classes use MLA or APA. What do these acronyms mean? Find the answer at Evaluating and Citing Sources
- Elements of in-text and “Works Cited” citations
- a. full citations in the “Works Cited"
- MLA Print and Online Sources APA Online and Print Sources
- b. in-text (parenthetical) references
- MLA Intext Formats APA Intext Sources
- More resources for MLA style:
- MLA 2009 Formatting and Style Guide: The OWL at Purdue
- More resources for APA style:
- APA Formatting and Style Guide: The OWL at Purdue
- Other styles
4. Being Organized and Saving Time: Methods for keeping track of your information
- Why is it important to have a system for keeping track of information, quotations, facts etc. from your sources?
- What are some methods for doing this?
- Many databases provide you with formatted citations to help you keep track of your work.
- There are also programs on the Web that will help you with formatting. What are some of the pros and cons of using Web-based citation generators for your “Works Cited” page?
5. Resources and Tips for More Help
- Your instructor
- Style manuals
- Librarians at the Reference desk, by phone, email or IM
- Our MLA and APA citation handouts.
- The Writing Lab in the Learning Assistance Center has free handouts on everything covered in this workshop, and is staffed by English Department faculty who can help you improve your writing and correctly incorporate and cite your sources.
- Online tutorials such as these award-winning tutorials: http://lpc1.laspositascollege.edu/LPC/library/plagiarism/index.html
- http://library.acadiau.ca/tutorials/plagiarism/ (award-winning, effective use of sound and graphics; a bit funny)
- http://www.fairfield.edu/lib_plagiarismcourt.html (award-winning)
- For more information, also look at:
- Plagiarism: What is it? (Kentucky Virtual Library)
- Avoiding Plagiarism (The OWL at Purdue)
- To learn more about effective research, the library offers many more workshops!