When you quote, paraphrase, summarize, or otherwise refer to the work of another, you are required to cite its source, either with a parenthetical citation, footnote, or endnote. Not to do so is considered plagiarism. Anything you write or create that uses or refers to the ideas of another person must be cited properly, this includes:
You do not need to cite common knowledge. For example, you do not need to cite the fact that Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States, but you would need to cite your source for the number of slaves he inherited from his father.
Tips to help avoid plagiarism.
Before starting your research, identify the appropriate citation style according to the academic discipline and/or media format. Check with your instructor about which style you should use.
The Writing Center is a peer-led, drop-in service, intended to help with every step of the writing process--from brainstorming to editing. It is located in the Learning Commons of Long Library For more information contact Ellie Rivera, Coordinator of the Writing Center at erivera@wells.edu. Writing Center Hours vary from semester to semester. Hours are posted at The Writing Center office.
The American Psychological Association (APA) citation format is widely used in the social and behavioral sciences. This APA Style Guide provides examples of the most commonly used print and online resources. For a more in depth and comprehensive explanation of the APA style, please consult the Publication Manual of the American PSychological Association, 6th edition, available in the Reference Section of Long Library (Call # R 808 qA51p 2010).
Other Helpful Links:
This online tutorial from the American Psychological Association “shows users how to structure and format their work, recommends ways to reduce bias in language, identifies how to avoid charges of plagiarism, shows how to cite references in text, and provides selected reference examples.”
Information and examples of the APA style from OWL: Purdue Online Writing Lab
Video Tutorial: Basics of APA Citations