36 Citing Sources: Ethical Scholarship and Transparent Communication

In the world of academic writing, citing sources is not just a formality; it’s a fundamental principle of ethical scholarship and transparent communication. It’s how we acknowledge the intellectual contributions of others, build credibility, and ensure that our arguments are grounded in evidence.

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

At its core, citation is about giving credit to the authors whose ideas and words we use. It’s a way of recognizing that knowledge is built upon the work of others and that we are participating in an ongoing conversation. By citing our sources, we demonstrate respect for intellectual property and avoid plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense.

Transparency and Trust

Citation also promotes transparency. When we provide clear and accurate citations, we allow our readers to trace our arguments back to their original sources. This transparency builds trust and allows readers to evaluate the evidence for themselves.

Think of it this way: if a reader can easily find the original source and see that you have represented it accurately, they are more likely to be convinced by your argument. Conversely, if they discover that you have manipulated or misrepresented the source, your credibility will be severely damaged. This is the distinction between establishing yourself as an authority and being perceived as a fraud.

MLA Format: Prioritizing Credit in the Humanities

In this class, you are required to use MLA (Modern Language Association) format. MLA is the standard citation style for the arts, humanities, and language studies. It prioritizes giving credit to authors and emphasizes the importance of accurate representation.

MLA vs. APA: Key Differences

You may encounter other citation styles, such as APA (American Psychological Association), in other courses. While there are some similarities, there are also key differences.

• In-Text Citations:
  • MLA uses the author’s last name and page number (if available) in parentheses (e.g., Smith 123).
  • APA uses the author’s last name and year of publication (e.g., Smith, 2023). APA may also use a page number, but the year will always be present.
• Works Cited/References Page:
  • MLA provides the author’s full first name. The publication year appears at the end of the citation.
  • APA uses the author’s initials for first names. The publication year appears immediately after the author’s name.

These differences reflect the distinct priorities of each style. MLA, used in the arts and humanities, emphasizes giving credit to authors and providing detailed information about sources. APA, used in the social sciences, emphasizes the currency of information.

Learning MLA Format

To ensure that you are using MLA format correctly, review the following resources:

• MLA Tutorial – Henry G. Bennett Library
• MLA Format Sway
• MLA Format Citations Sway
• Purdue MLA General Format
• Purdue MLA Formatting and Style Guide
• Purdue MLA Sample Paper
• Sample paper video
• BOLT-Formatting (Optional)- BOLT Formatting is a resource course you can be enrolled in that will show up separately on your Canvas dashboard. If you are a student at Southeastern Oklahoma State University request to be enrolled in BOLT-Formatting by emailing cidt@se.edu. If you are a student at a different institution, use this promotion code in the catalog for an 70% discount: OER-70-CLSMITH.

Key Takeaways:

• Citing sources is an ethical responsibility and a way to build credibility.
• MLA format is the standard for the arts and humanities.
• Pay attention to the key differences between MLA and APA.
• Use the provided resources to learn and apply MLA format correctly.

By mastering the art of citation, you will demonstrate your commitment to academic integrity and enhance the quality of your scholarly work.

Reading Questions:

1. Remembering: What are two key differences between MLA and APA in-text citations, as described in the chapter?
2. Understanding: Explain in your own words why the chapter emphasizes that citation is about “giving credit where credit is due.”
3. Application: How would you format an in-text citation in MLA style if you are referencing page 56 of a book written by John Smith?
4. Analysis: Why does the chapter stress that transparent citation builds trust and enhances a writer’s credibility?
5. Synthesis: Combine the concepts of “ethical responsibility” and “building credibility” to describe how consistent and accurate citation contributes to the overall quality of academic scholarship.
6. Evaluation: Based on the information in the chapter, what conclusions can you draw about the importance of mastering citation styles like MLA in academic writing?