Give Credit Where Credit's Due

Giving Credit Where Credit's Due Referencing is telling your reader where you learned or found the information that you are writing. A good rule of thumb is to always give credit for any ideas that aren't yours by citing your sources. One way to give credit is to use an in-text or parenthetical citation.

What are parenthetical citations? Parenthetical citations are short references included in the text of your paper (or project) to show your reader where you found each piece of information that you have paraphrased, summarized, or quoted.

Why do I need to include parenthetical citations? Directs you reader to the source in your alphabetical list of works cited. Allows your reader to locate the exact source for further study. You need to give credit to the original source of information; otherwise, you will be plagiarizing or stealing another person’s work.

When do I need to include parenthetical citations? Use in-text documentation to cite a source whenever you: use an original idea from one of your sources, whether you quote or paraphrase it summarize original ideas from one of your sources use factual information that is not common knowledge (Common knowledge is information that recurs in many sources. If you are not certain it is common knowledge, cite to be safe.) quote directly from a source use a date or fact that might be disputed

In short…………. …..whenever you paraphrase, summarize, or quote information from a source and include it in your work!

Where do I place parenthetical citations? Citations are placed in parentheses at the end of the sentence following the borrowed material.

In-Text Citation Examples Direct Quote 'Quoting' means using the exact same words as the original author. Paraphrasing Paraphrasing means using the ideas of an author, but not using his or her exact words. Summary Summarizing is writing a summary of what the author says. “The bowling alley was wrecked when two trucks, carried by the wind for 100 yards, landed on its roof” (Tarshis 5). According to Lauren Tarshis, the bowling alley was destroyed when two trucks from 100 yards away were blown onto the roof (5). Two trucks landed on the roof of the bowling alley (Tarshis 5).

Be selective! Direct quotes, paraphrases, and summaries should be used selectively. The majority of your paper should be written in your own words.

Quote A quotation uses the exact words of the original text. Identical to the original to the text Interesting or unusual Brief No changes Must give credit

When should I quote? You should use a quotation for: Accuracy: If you are unable to paraphrase or summarize without changing the author’s intent. Authority: to lend expert authority for your claim or to provide source material for your analysis. Unforgettable Language: you believe that the words of the author are memorable or remarkable because of their evocativeness or historical flavor…a unique phrase or sentence, that you want to comment on.

Be selective! Direct quotations should be used selectively; the majority of your paper should be written in your own words.

Paraphrase Paraphrasing is a restatement, in your own words, of a passage of text. Involves putting a passage – phrase by phrase – from your source into your own words Should be equal or shorted in length Complete rewriting, not just a rearrangement of the words Must give credit

When should I paraphrase? You should paraphrase to: Emphasize ideas that are most related to your paper by changing the organization of this ideas Simplify the material that has complex arguments, sentences, or vocabulary Clarify the material when the passages contain technical or specialized information that is not appropriate for your audience

Summary A summary is a condensed version of an original text, usually a full article or book. Do not rewrite the original piece. Keep your summary short. Use your own wording. Refer to the central and main ideas of the original piece. Read with who, what, when, where, why and how questions in mind. Do not put in your opinion of the issue or topic discussed in the original piece.

When should I summarize? You should summarize if: Not all of the authors words are necessary; e.g. if the author gives examples or explanations that you don't need to put in your text. If paraphrasing or quoting will make your text too long.

Give Credit Where Credit is Due Whenever you paraphrase, summarize, or quote information from a source and include it in your work, you need to include an in-text citation in your paper and create a matching entry for that citation on your Works Cited page. Example: Tarshis, Lauren. "The Day the Sky Split Open." Storyworks 10 2010: 4 - 8.