During your research and pre-writing stages, note the bibliographic source of quoted, paraphrased, and summarized material you plan to use. This will save time and prevent plagiarism during the drafting stage.
Avoid plagiarism
Acknowledge a source when you quote, paraphrase, or summarize by citing in-text and including a list of works cited or references.
Indicate with a signal phrase (“According to Smith” or “Jones claims”) and quotation marks when you are using the exact wording from a source.
Document electronic sources completely and accurately.
When paraphrasing, do not imitate the structure or wording of the original - that is considered plagiarism.
What does not need to be cited?
Quotes that are well known (“To be or not to be/ That is the question”)
Information that is widely available in many sources (Pluto is no longer considered a planet)
Information that is considered “common knowledge” (George Washington was the first U.S. president)
(See Axelrod and Cooper, The St. Martin’s Guide to Writing (Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2016))