Newberry College

Citation/Bibliography Help

Why do I need to cite my sources?

When you write a research paper, you use facts, information and ideas from various sources to support your own ideas and develop new ones. Books, print articles, DVDs, electronic information from databases, interviews, and Web sites are examples of sources you might use. Citing your sources is vital because:

• You make clear who the author of the original work is that provided you information or ideas
• You provided your audience necessary information to identify and locate the source material so they can learn more
• You make your paper more credible because you support your arguments with quality sources
• You ensure you are not committing academic dishonesty by plagiarizing

What is plagiarism?

Plagiarism is a form of cheating in which you use another's words or ideas as if they were your own.

Is plagiarism a serious offense?

In academic communities, honesty, trust, fairness, personal responsibility, and respect are necessary values. Academic integrity, which is based upon those values, establishes an environment where scholarly inquiry and intellectual growth are possible. One of the most common forms of academic dishonesty is plagiarism. It can result in failure of an assignment or even failure of a course. Repeated plagiarism may result in dismissal.

How do I make sure not to plagiarize?

Cite, cite, cite! Whenever you use an author's exact language in your paper, make certain to use quotation marks to indicate what words are the author's, and then cite that quotation. When you change the author's words to your own and your paraphrase the author's ideas, make certain you cite. You have borrowed those ideas and they must be attributed to the author whose works your are using.

Who can help me with citations?

Your professors, tutors at the Center for Student Success @ Wessels Library, library staff, and the links below!

Style Guides:

MLA - Modern Language Association (web page)

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers - Seventh Edition

APA - American Psychological Association (web page)

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association - Sixth Edition

Nifty Tutorials!

Research Tutorial: Eastern Washington University

OWL Purdue Online Writing Lab

Citation Management Tools:

NoodleTools Free Tools

Zotero

Citation Builder: NCSU Libraries

Contact us at 321-5229 for assistance or by email, wessels.library@newberry.edu