Citations & Plagiarism Guide: Overview

For more help with your papers, be sure to contact the staff at the Writing Center.

Email for an appointment: writingcenter@morgan.edu

Call to make an appointment: 443-885-4205

"Under the auspices of the Department of English and Language Arts, the mission of the Morgan State University Writing Center is to support undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines to become more effective and confident writers and communicators."
-Morgan State University Writing Center

When do I need to cite a source?
If you are...

• referring to a source and stating someone else's opinions, thoughts, ideas, or research
• using an image or media file that you did not create

When do I not need to cite a source?
If you are...

• writing your own thoughts, ideas, and interpretations
• expressing common knowledge

How do I refer to a source?

• Directly quoting: using the exact words as used by the source
• Summarizing: referring to the source's main points in your own words
• Paraphrasing: recreating a passage of the source in your own words

All of these require a citation!

"The purpose of a research paper is to synthesize previous research and scholarship with your ideas on the subject. Therefore, you should feel free to use other persons' words, facts, and thoughts in your research paper, but the material you borrow must not be presented as if it were your own creation."

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. 7th Edition. New York: MLA. 55. Print.