Using a Source
Using a source means putting someone else's words or thoughts in your paper, whether you quote or paraphrase. Most of your work should be your own ideas and words. Use sources for background and for opinions that differ from your own (so that you can disagree or add to what they say), but don't fill up all of your pages with the ideas of other people. All but a few sentences should be your own thoughts.
Citing a Source
Citing a source means telling the reader who authored the outside information and where you found it. Your citation should point the reader to the correct entry on the Works Cited using MLA style.
Using a Quote (exact words of the source)
- State Rep. Roger Williams has recently argued that alcohol sales restrictions on Sunday in Georgia promote economic inequality: "It is unfair for the state to create an uneven playing field where some types of business are allowed to profit from Sunday sales while others are not."
- According to State Rep. Roger Williams, "It is unfair for the state to create an uneven playing field where some types of business are allowed to profit from Sunday sales while others are not."
- State Rep. Roger Williams has argued that "It is unfair for the state to create an uneven playing field where some types of business are allowed to profit from Sunday sales while others are not."
- The argument that the state should not "create an uneven playing field where some types of business are allowed to profit from Sunday sales while others are not" implies that alcohol should not be treated differently from other products (Williams).
- The attendance policy at Gainesville State College is clearly stated in the catalog: "Attendance at all scheduled classes is expected. The individual instructor's 'Absence Policy' is specified on the course syllabus. Questions regarding an instructor's attendance/absence policy should be directed to the instructor."
- The attendance policy in the GSC catalog vaguely states that "Attendance at all scheduled classes is expected. The individual instructor's 'Absence Policy' is specified on the course syllabus. Questions regarding an instructor's attendance/absence policy should be directed to the instructor."
- State Rep. Roger Williams has recently argued that alcohol sales restrictions on Sunday in Georgia unfairly handicap businesses who deal exclusively in alcohol.
- According to State Rep. Roger Williams, alcohol sales restrictions on Sunday in Georgia unfairly handicap businesses who deal exclusively in alcohol.
- The argument that alcohol sales restrictions on Sunday in Georgia unfairly handicap businesses who deal exclusively in alcohol implies that alcohol should not be treated differently from other products (Williams).
- According to Michael Smith, "insert quote" (45).
- Michael Smith argues that "insert quote" (45).
- In an attempt to define financial wisdom for college students, Michael Smith writes, "insert quote" (45).
