Quotation rules to avoid plagiarism: how to properly cite your sources

When writing your internship report, dissertation, thesis or research paper, you’ll use quotations. Indeed, much of the information you provide has been proven and verified by other writers and scholars. Citations add value to your academic work.

This is why the sources you use must be mentioned and cited correctly in the body of the text, a footnote and/or an endnote in your document. A bibliography appears at the end of the document and shows a detailed list of sources.

There are several ways to cite authors using various citation standards. It is up to you to choose one that suits your needs best or the one that is required in your school or university. But how exactly do we do that? Let’s go through some do’s and don’ts in this article.

Summary

• Definition of a bibliographic source
• 4 Good reasons to quote your sources
• The basic rules for well-cited quotes
• The Harvard Style Reference or author-date system
• The APA standard is actively adapted to academic work
• The Chicago Style standard is published by the University of Chicago Press
• The ABNT standard, Brazilian use above all

Definition of a bibliographic source

A bibliographic source is a set of information that allows the reader to look up a quotation. In order to ensure the authenticity of a cited passage, the bibliographic source usually includes at least: 

• The author
• The name of the document (from which the quotation was taken)
• The publication date

The source is sort of the cited quotation's DNA.

A bibliographic reference follows a clearly defined standard. As such, the information is stated in a specific format and order. Regarding the location of the source, it can be found in the body of the text, in a footnote or in the bibliography. Furthermore, it can appear in various forms: in italics, parentheses, square brackets, quotation marks.

Remember that indicating the source helps you avoid plagiarism. 

4 Good reasons to quote your sources

It is possible and even recommended to take ideas or quotations from an author's work. For this, you must absolutely cite the bibliographic sources. Indeed, citing a source, whether in the text or at the end of your document, is evidence of your integrity. 

Among others, here are 4 good reasons to cite your sources:

1/ Respect copyright laws and avoid plagiarism

Penalties for plagiarism are heavy and not worth the risk. Moreover, citing an author shows respect for ideas and knowledge and lets them be shared freely. 

2/ Depict the quality of your work

Bibliographic references demonstrate that you have done extensive research on your subject. In this way, citations contribute to the grade your academic work receives.

The basic rules for well-cited quotes

Formatting

You can emphasise a citation through its formatting. Firstly, you must use quotation marks. Italics can be used at the student writer's discretion and can help the reader quickly find a citation. Use of parentheses and square brackets depends on the citation standard used. Abbreviations are often used to shorten bibliographic references.

Going deeper

Regardless of the format used, the citation in the text must be in this form: Author's name + year of publication. 

Only one rule should be implemented: You cannot switch from one style to another. You must follow the same format throughout the document. 

Find out if a citation standard is enforced at your academic institution. If not, it's up to you to decide which standard works best for you.

All authors must be mentioned in the text or in a footnote and referenced again in the bibliography or webography.

Sources:

• "Harvard referencing", The University of Sheffield
• "Harvard Format Citation Guide", Mendeley

Sources:

• "Basic Rules of APA Format", Very Well Mind, Kendra Cherry, 25/08/2020
• "APA : Frequently Asked Questions", Writting center, Antioch University, Santa Barbara

“There are two Chicago-style citation systems: the classic method and the author/date method. The classic (or traditional) method uses references, placed in footnotes or endnotes, which direct the reader to a bibliography. “Citer selon le style Chicago”, Université de Montréal, les bibliothèques  

This style is generally applied in disciplines related to the humanities. The author/date method shows references in parentheses within the text. The references direct the reader to a bibliography at the end of the document, and the bibliography must contain all the sources used in the document.

Sources:

• "Chicago Manual Style (CMS) Format", Germanna Community College, Academic center for excellence
• "Chicago Style Guide", Menlo School Library
• "The Chicago Manual of Style Online"

Source: 

• "Citing Articles in ABNT Style", EBSCO Connect, 11/2019

In academic writing (dissertation, thesis, internship report, research paper, etc.), a citation standard must be applied. Students should learn how to implement a bibliographic system so that their written work can be validated. Respect for copyright and intellectual property adds value to written work and validates the ideas discussed in it. Citing sources also contributes to the final grade received on an assignment. Whether used to further your doctorate, your university studies or your secondary education, you now have all the tools needed to use these citation standards correctly.

If you want to know more about this subject, Compilatio presents different citation rules and offers you a closer look at each one of them.