When to Cite and Vocabulary

Anytime you use a source to inform your writing, you should include it in your works cited. When in doubt, cite!

You always need to cite your source if you use a direct quote, paraphrase, reuse ideas from graphs, charts, or diagrams, or use any information that isn't considered common knowledge.

Direct quote: Using the exact same words as your source. Direct quotes of more than one word need to be enclosed in "quotation marks" to indicate the words are copied from your source.
Example: "Four score and seven years ago" are the words that begin Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

Paraphrase: Using someone else's idea but rephrasing it in your own words. Paraphrases don't need quotation marks, but you still need to cite the source of the idea.
Example: The Declaration of Independence says that all people have a right to pursue happiness.

Common knowledge: Something that people can be expected to generally know. Common knowledge does not include opinion.
Example: The earth revolves around the sun. 

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