When writing papers, you should be very careful to document your sources. A reference to the source MUST follow any fact that is not part of common knowledge or an opinion that is not originally yours. This can take several forms – a footnote at the bottom of the page, an endnote at the end of the paper, or an in-note inserted in the text in this form (Barnet 1993: 152-160). In addition, all sources must be listed in a bibliography at the end of the paper. A bibliography should be in alphabetical order by authors last name.
Failing to document your sources is Plagiarism. In an essay titled "A definition of Plagiarism," Harold C. Martin writes: "The academic counterpart of the bank embezzler and of the manufacturer who mislabels his product is the plagiarist, the student or scholar who leads his reader to believe that what he is reading is the original work of the writer when it is not."1
Plagiarism is not limited to the use of direct quotes. You must give a reference to facts and opinions that you get from a book, an article, or any other source even when you state them using your own words. Indiana University Writing Resource web site has a short discussion of the issue of plagiarism.
There are several accepted styles of documentation (MLA, APA, Chicago.) You can use any one of those, as long as you do it consistently. For instructions on a correct method of documentation, consult a style manual. A good place to start is our library guide How to Cite Sources.
1. Harold C. Martin The Logic and Rhetoric of Exposition. New York, Hold, Rinehart and Winston, 1959, p. 178.
