Integrating Sources into a Paper

Section 1
The knowledge in your writing never stands alone. You need sources to support your arguments. There are two types of sources:
-Primary sources – functions as un-interpreted data that doesn’t discuss or analyze your subject
-Secondary sources – discusses your subject and makes claims about it which you may accept or challenge.
Documenting your sources makes your argument stronger. It‘s also an obligation, a service, and an advantage. It suggest to your reader that you are a trustworthy analyst who acknowledges others opinions in your search for truth
Section 2
There are three basic principles to integrating sources into your paper:
-Use sources as concisely as possible. When possible summarize the source being used so your thinking isn’t crowded. This can be accomplished by paraphrasing or quoting.
- Make sure your reader knows the difference between when you are talking and when you are citing someone else.
-Point out how each source you use has a direct correlation to your argument. You can do this by mentioning the nature or professional status of your source.
Rules of quoting:
-Quote only what you need or is really striking.
-Construct your sentence so the quotations integrate smoothly.
-Announce quotations in the words preceding it.
-Make sure your announcing verb is neutral.
Section 3
When to cite:
-When you use factual data.
-When you use two or more words in a row.
-When you summarize thoughts formulated by somebody else.
-When mentioning an aspect of someone else’s work.
When not to cite:
-When source and page locations are obvious.
-When using common knowledge.
-When using phrases of everyday speech.
-When using ideas from a conversation with another person.
There are several ways of citing information. These are sequential notes, in-text citing, and coding.
They may also be times where you will need to acknowledge uncited sources such as those from teachers, friends, or class discussions.
Section 4
Plagiarism is considered an act of lying, cheating, and stealing. It entails one stealing information, ideas, and words as your own without acknowledging the source.
It can entail:
-An uncited information or data source
-An uncited idea
-A verbatim phrase that’s not quoted
- An uncited structure or organizing strategy
Don’t do it.
There are many other ways of misusing sources which include misinterpreting evidence, improper collaboration, dual or overlapping submission, and abetting plagiarism.
Online sources must be fully disclosed when referencing ideas and material.
There are disciplinary consequences for plagiarism and it is considered of a serious nature.
Section 5
There are many styles of acknowledging sources in your paper. If you cannot find a method of disclosing specific sources refer to the different styles listed in section 4.1