FAQ: How and Why We Cite Sources
Academic writing differs from popular writing (magazines,
internet sites, and books published by popular, non-academic presses
like Random House) in that it cites the sources of new information. We
do this for many reasons, particularly
1) because scholars might want to explore a certain
subject themselves, and need a guide for where to start their research;
2) because scholars might doubt the veracity of a
claim, and want to know where to verify its validity;
3) because credit should be given for another's
original ideas, especially if a writer is trying to set herself apart
from previous writing on a subject;
4) because most knowledge is neither finite nor
absolute,
and what one person claims as a 'true interpretation' (especially
if his last name is Cliff or Sparknotes) may be
easily refuted by another, and readers need to know the source and
evolution of a writer's thinking in order to do this;
5) and because if you do not cite outside sources,
you will be found guilty of plagiarism, which has horrible consequences
(failure in this course).
In English, we cite sources according to the MLA/parenthetical
citation method when we use 4
or more words from another author or use major ideas and
uncommon knowledge from another source. It is especially important to
cite all web resources; see
this link on
how to cite web resources. Failure to do so
constitutes plagiarism, which
insults the integrity, respect, and honesty that make up academic
rigor. Plagiarism, cheating, and
pretending another’s words are your own are unethical practices subject
to academic sanction and failure in this course. I cannot stress this
enough: please cite all
consulted material, from websites, books, articles, to the backs of
books, as critical engagement with and acknowledgment of others’ words
is part of the larger academic conversation and ethic.
99.9% of students are honest and would never think of plagiarizing, but
please allow me to remind you that there is absolutely no reason to
resort to plagiarism, since I have a fair policy regarding late papers,
which are
still accepted until the final day of the course, although two points
are
deducted from the grade for each class day the paper is late (i.e., a
paper turned in a week late is deducted four points, or about a half
grade—from 91/A- to 87/B+). This levels the playing field for your
classmates who submit work on assigned dates.
Academic
Honesty and Plagiarism: Definition
of Plagiarism (from Student Handbook)
"Plagiarism
means the use of another's words as if they were your own, and the
unacknowledged
incorporation of those words in one's own work offered for credit. The following guidelines for written work will
assist
the student in avoiding plagiarism:
a) General indebtedness for background information and
data is acknowledged
by inclusion of a bibliography of all works consulted.
b) Specific indebtedness for a particular idea, or for
a quotation
of four or more words from another text, is acknowledged by footnote
reference
to the actual source. Quotations of 4 -5
words or more from a text are indicated by the use of quotation marks."
Honesty
is expected of you. It is expected that
the work
you hand in will always be your own, and that you will never copy
sentences,
phrases, paragraphs or whole essays from any other person's work, for
that
is plagiarism. Plagiarism is dishonest,
and against
both University policy and my own. If you
are
ever unclear about how to cite another person or author's ideas, come
see
me or consult the staff in the Writing Center. We
can help you do this correctly. It's
important
to understand that plagiarism is a big deal in this university and in
my class. Don't make this mistake. Students
who are caught plagiarizing will fail the course and be referred to the
Dean
of Student's office for disciplinary sanctions.
Wendy C. Nielsen (2. Feb. 2007)