Citations

Contents

edit Sources

Sources can be primary or secondary, depending on how you are using them.

A primary source is your uninterpreted data. If you're analysing the use of metaphors in Hamlet, the text of the play is your primary source.

A secondary source discusses your subject. In the above example, a critical essay on Hamlet is a secondary source. However, if you decide to write a paper about how 19th century literary critics interpreted metaphors in Hamlet, then a critical essay would be your primary source as well.

Judging which sources to use is an important skill that you will hone as your knowledge base grows. This link will take you to a useful checklist for evaluating print and online sources.


edit Why Cite?

Your work will inevitably build on the knowledge of others, even if you have a completely new and groundbreaking idea. Your sources aren't the source of your special idea - instead, they support or illustrate it, or are there to be refuted or re-evaluated.


edit Quick Tips

  • Jot down citations as you write your paper. It may interrupt your flow of writing, but it will save you a lot of pain later. These don't have to be full citations: highlighted notes to yourself about where you found this quote or that opinion is suficient. Later, you can fill in the rest.
  • If you find formatting citations irksome, try using citation software such as CitationMachine.net
  • Which format to use? The rule of thumb is, you use Chicago for 'real world' subjects, APA for social sciences, MLA for the arts and humanities, and AMA for the sciences. Ask your professor which one he or she prefers.
  • It's helpful to understand the purpose of standardised citations. These are:
    • To clearly attribute words, thoughts and ideas which are not your own
    • To show readers where they can find the rest of the material from which you are quoting
    • To indicate these in a common scholarly language that readers everywhere can understand


edit Useful Links