7-5-2 Citing Sources Explained

Key Concepts

Understanding 7-5-2 Citing Sources involves grasping three key concepts:

1. Importance of Citing Sources
2. Types of Citations
3. How to Cite Sources

Importance of Citing Sources

Citing sources means giving credit to the original authors or creators of the information you use in your work. This is important for several reasons:

• It shows respect for the original work and acknowledges the efforts of others.
• It helps readers verify the information and find more details if they need to.
• It prevents plagiarism, which is using someone else's work without giving credit.

Example: If you use a quote from a book in your essay, you should include the author's name, the title of the book, and the page number where the quote appears.

Types of Citations

There are different types of citations, but the most common ones are:

• In-Text Citations: These are brief references within the body of your text that direct readers to the full citation in the bibliography or reference list.
• Bibliography or Reference List: This is a list of all the sources you cited in your work, placed at the end of your document.

Example: In-text citation might look like this: "According to Smith (2020), reading improves comprehension" (p. 45). The full citation in the bibliography would include more details such as the publisher and publication date.

How to Cite Sources

Citing sources correctly involves following specific formats. The most commonly used formats are:

• MLA (Modern Language Association): Used in humanities and literature.
• APA (American Psychological Association): Used in social sciences.
• Chicago: Used in history and some social sciences.

Each format has specific guidelines for how to cite different types of sources, such as books, articles, and websites. It's important to follow these guidelines to ensure your citations are accurate and complete.

Example: In MLA format, a book citation includes the author's last name and the page number in parentheses, like this: (Smith 45). In APA format, it includes the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number, like this: (Smith, 2020, p. 45).

Examples and Analogies

Think of citing sources as saying "thank you" after receiving a gift. Just as you would thank the person who gave you the gift, you should acknowledge the authors or creators of the information you use. For example, if you borrow a toy from a friend, you should say "thank you" and return the toy when you're done playing with it.

Example: When writing a research paper, imagine each source as a puzzle piece. Citing sources is like labeling each puzzle piece with the name of the person who made it, so everyone knows where each piece came from.

Practical Application

To practice citing sources, follow these steps:

1. Identify the sources you want to cite in your work.
2. Choose the citation format that matches your assignment (MLA, APA, or Chicago).
3. Use the guidelines for that format to create in-text citations and a bibliography or reference list.
4. Review your citations to ensure they are accurate and complete.
5. Double-check with your teacher or a style guide if you're unsure about any part of the citation process.