Learn how to cite your sources with this video introduction from SFC Librarian, Shay Ramsey:
Academic research require that you accurately cite the sources used in your research. Citing sources gives credit to others whose words and ideas you use in your own work. This section will help you:
Learn how to cite your sources with this video introduction from SFC Librarian, Shay Ramsey:
There are 3 main citation styles; APA, MLA, and Chicago. The SFC Library has an online guide for each of these citation styles:
Each one of these citation styles requires a slightly different format for reference lists and in-text citations. Check your assignment guidelines and be sure you are using the correct citation style!
When you find a citation, what are you actually looking at? Check out the example below and use the cursor to hover over each part of the citation and see what it represents:
Note: different citation styles use different formatting. The above example follows APA citation style.
Do you find writing a bibliography tedious and time consuming? A citation manager is a software tool that helps you collect sources and then simply insert them into your paper as you go. Check out these two freely available tools:
Plagiarism includes, "presenting as one’s work the work of someone else without properly acknowledging the source... Plagiarism is theft: using the words and ideas of another person as if they were one's own."
--- The SFC Student Handbook & Academic Planner 2019-20 (The Cord)
For more information check out St. Francis College's policy on academic integrity (p41).
There are 3 ways to incorporate other people's ideas and writing into your own work:
Quotations: Direct quote of the source material that is attributed to the original author.
Paraphrasing: Rewriting the original material in your own words (not just replacing individual words with synonyms). Must be attributed to original author.
Summarizing: A recap of the main point(s) of the original text in your own words. Attribute this to the original author as well.
There are many online resources to help you improve your writing skills. Check out these resources for writing tips, citation help and more!
A peer-reviewed, Open Access textbook for research and writing at college level. Chapters designed to help students improve their writing, critical thinking, and information literacy
A series of Open, peer-reviewed books and essays presenting unique views, insights and strategies for successful writing. Written by teachers for undergraduate students.
The Writing Center: UNC Chapel Hill
Writing tips and tools from UNC Chapel Hill. Includes dozens of articles and videos on writing style, grammar, citation and more!
Harvard College Writing Center
Strategies for academic writing from the Harvard College Writing Center. Numerous articles with practical advice on the fundamental elements of academic writing.
Purdue University Online Writing Lab
The Online Writing Lab at Purdue University is full of resources and instructional materials to help students with general writing, academic, college applications, citation and more.
Think you've mastered the art of citation? Take our short quiz and test your knowledge!