Three frequently asked questions about citation:
- If I use the same page of
the required source for two sentences right after each other, do I have to
cite each sentence separately?
No. If you had two sentences that are immediately after each other and
that are supported by the same page of the source, then you only cite 1
time for both of the two sentences. You place that 1
citation after the last sentence.
- If I found related facts on
multiple pages (such as page 93-95 and 155-170), can't I just cite it as a
range of pages (such as 93-95; 155-170)? I see that sometimes in books.
No, for two reasons:
- For me to give feedback that will help your future,
I need to know exactly where you were in the source when
you stated a fact.
- For you to protect yourself in thinking, you need the
habit of knowing exactly where you were when you found a fact. That way,
when you realize that you made a mistake in understanding, but you can't
be sure where you made the mistake, you can retrace your
steps in the source and figure it out.
Caution: When you see a scholar
using multiple pages in a citation, it does not mean somewhere in
those pages readers will find something about what the
scholar is saying. That is neither evidence nor respect for your users'
time.
- If the information is common
knowledge, do I have to cite it?
Yes. In this course, you
cite everything (including what you might think is
common knowledge) because the 2nd Good Habit for Evidence says you need to
verify everything you write before you submit your
assignment and therefore you have the page number anyway.
Why is this a good rule in every part of your life? Common knowledge is not equal to your memory,
what your friends think, or what you vaguely
remember someone saying. Once you are wrong when you
speak or write in the workplace and in many classes, you lose your
credibility. Check before you speak or write.