Documentation Giving credit to a source for words and ideas borrowed from a source Quotations Paraphrases Basic rule: Everything you use that is from a source has to be documented.

Exception: Common Knowledge Basic information available in numerous sources Information commonly accepted in a particular field of study NOT subjective opinions, analysis, interpretations

Examples: Common Knowledge? “Desiree’s Baby” was written in The story is about a woman, Desiree, whose race is questioned by her husband.

Common Knowledge? Desiree’s initial reaction to her husband’s “accusation” regarding her race reveals both her conscious realization of her dependent status as a woman and her unconscious racism against non-whites.

No documentation necessary for common knowledge When in doubt, document to avoid plagiarism (or just ask). ALWAYS document exact words, even if the ideas are common knowledge

Documentation Format (MLA) Two Components for Documentation: – In-text Citation (Parenthetical Citation) – Works Cited page

In-text Citation Information in the text of your essay that links each borrowed quote or paraphrase to a source listed on the Works Cited page

What to Do Introduce the quotation or paraphrase. Include the author’s last name in the introduction to the quotation or paraphrase or in parentheses at the end. Include the page number in the parentheses (if a page number is available). Nothing new here.... See the PowerPoints for quoting and paraphrasing primary and secondary sources for examples of in-text citation.