The research paper: the thesis statement

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The Research Paper

Part VIII: Giving credit where credit is due...

Now that I am creating my working bibliography and gathering information I need to remember to acknowledge where my information comes from. As I take ideas and other support information from each source, I need to write down the author of the information and the page number I found the information on.

When I begin to write my rough draft I will include the author and page number in my paper. This is called citing a source and using parenthetical documentation within the paper.

What do we mean by parenthetical documentation?

When we parenthetically document we provide our reader with a "key" within the body of our paper to the source on our Work Cited Page (WCP). This "key" usually includes the first word of the citation on the WCP and the page number the idea or quote can be found. When a parenthetical reference appears in our paper the reader merely jumps to the WCP and finds the complete citation. In this way the reader can retrieve the source and turn to the page number to find exactly the information you included. REMEMBER...Your WCP will only include the bibliographic citations to the works parenthetically documented in the paper. You will extract that list from your working bibliography.

How does it work...click here for an example.

Why do I need to cite and use parenthetical references?

When we cite and use parenthetical references we are giving our reader the source of the information. This usually strengthens our paper because we demonstrate that we have integrated what other writers have said that support our position. Also, we are giving credit to the creator of the idea which we are citing. Citing also demonstrates the development of an idea over time and also allows the reader to references to make sure no errors have been published. By informing our reader that the information used is not our own we are also abiding by copyright laws of the United States by not committing plagiarism.

What needs to be cited?

Direct quotations
Paraphrasing or summarizing ideas that are not your own
Ideas that are not common knowledge
Artwork, Music, Computer programs
Interviews

Read one of the following articles dealing with plagiarism and write a one page essay in response to the chosen article giving your thoughts on the author's thesis. Submit your paper to your instructor

   Ryan, Julie. "Student Plagiarism in the Online World."
             ASEE Prism (Dec. 1998). 18 July 2005.
        (Cyberspace plagiarism presents new problems...)


   Willen, Matthew S. "Reflections on the Cultural Climate
               of Plagiarism." Liberal Education 90.4 (Fall 2004):
                55+. Association of American Colleges and
               Universities. 2005. 18 July 2005.
      (Plagiarism may be part of a broader problem...)

END OF PART III.