The MLA's (Modern Language Association's) handbook for writers of research papers states that: "Nearly all research builds on previous research," and that "whenever you draw on another's work, you must also document your source by indicating what you borrowedwhether facts, opinions, or quotationsand where you borrowed it from" (114 Gibaldi, Joseph, ed. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: MLA, 1999).
In academic writing, it is important to insert your paper into a scholarly debate within your discipline by reporting and building on the work of previous scholars. It is crucial to cite and document the sources of all ideas or statements within your work which are not your own. Just as you would want to receive credit for your own ideas, so you should give credit to those whose ideas you use. Your academic work is your property, and when that work is stolen and passed off as another's, it is called plagiarism, and not only violates the Rice Honor Code, but is illegal.
There are three main styles of documenting sources which you will most likely encounter during your academic career. The first is MLA style and is outlined in the handbook quoted from above. The above quote is also an example of MLA style, where the source for a quote or idea is given parenthetically immediately following the quotation or your paraphrase. The work as a whole is then listed in your bibliography or works cited page at the end of your paper. Another popular academic style is called Chicago Style, from The Chicago Manual of Style. This style most often appears in academic journals in the humanities and primarily consists of documenting sources through footnotes within a paper, or endnotes at the paper's conclusion. Finally, APA (American Psychological Association) style is most commonly used in the sciences and social sciences.
Below, you will find links leading you to pages which explain how to use these three different styles and other tips for documenting sources within your papers.
Documenting electronically-accessed sources
APA style
MLA style
Chicago style
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