Citation

Doing research presents a real organizational challenge:

1.  You have to keep track of all the sources from which you have borrowed ideas, facts, opinions, or quotations, and...

2.  You have to create a formal list, called a "Works Cited" page, of all of the sources you used in your paper for your reader.

IF YOU KEEP TRACK OF EVERYTHING AS YOU USE IT, IT WILL SAVE YOU LOADS OF TIME LATER!

Tips for keeping track of sources:

1.  Add links and titles to a Word doc or Google docs

2.  Create a folder in your browser bookmarks for each assignment and save as you go. Or use browser extensions like Diigo or Wakelet to keep track of websites

3.  Keep a running list of sources in a document in Google Drive

4.  Make citations as you go using NoodleTools (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

5.  All of the above

We cite sources for several reasons:

• prove we haven't made stuff up (like facts or statistics)

• support our ideas and opinions from reputable sources

• give credit to authors you have borrowed ideas or words from

• PROTECT yourself from accusations of plagiarism!

• help readers who want to know more find your sources

It's also just what people in schools and universities do to show they are using information ethically. When you get your driver's license, you will follow the rules, right? You will agree not to run a red light. Well, when you are a student, this is just what you do. It's part of the rules.

Attribution

This page was adapted from AISG Libugides by Kelly Donaldson