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
• Definition of a citation standard
• 4 Good reasons to quote your sources
• The basic rules for well-cited quotes
• Which citation standard to choose?
  • 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 citation 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. 

Definition of a citation standard

A bibliographic standard or citation standard is a set of rules and conventions for describing the bibliographic references of a document in a systematic and standardised way. 

It aims to provide complete and accurate information about the sources cited in an academic or scientific work, such as books, journal articles, websites, theses, etc.

Citation standards are important because they make bibliographic references and sources consistent and easily identifiable to readers and researchers, while facilitating the retrieval and management of information. Some of the most commonly used bibliographic standards include:

• APA: American Psychological Association
• MLA Format: Modern Language Association
• Chicago Style Citation
• Harvard Referencing Style
• ABNT: Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas

4 Good reasons to quote your sources

It is possible and even recommended to take ideas or quotations from an author's work. We use copy and paste, paraphrase, translation of certain passages from books, images, graphics... Be careful to avoid plagiarism. 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 the bibliographic reference

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.

Choosing the right citation standard

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.

Which citation standard to choose?
 

Example of a citation with the Harvard Reference System standard in the body of the text:

• "Plagiarism in a thesis, dissertation, or other research paper is punishable by a penalty. Indeed, academic integrity is an essential element of graduation." (Compilatio 2022).

Example of Harvard Reference Standard in Bibliopgraphy:

• Compilatio, 2022. Suspected plagiarism in student work... how should you react? [Online]. Available at the following url: https://www.compilatio.net/en/blog/suspected-plagiarism-how-to-react

Sources:

• "Harvard referencing", The University of Sheffield, consulted on 28/01/2022.
• "Harvard Format Citation Guide", Mendeley, consulted on 28/01/2022.

Example of a citation with APA standard in the body of the text:

• "Plagiarism in a thesis, dissertation, or other research work is punishable by a penalty. Indeed, academic integrity is an essential element of graduation." (Compilatio, 2022).

APA standard in bibliography:

• Compilatio (2022, 09 12). How to Write a Research Methodology step by step? Available at the following url: https://www.compilatio.net/en/blog/thesis.

Sources:

• "Basic Rules of APA Format", Very Well Mind, Kendra Cherry, 25/08/2020.
• "APA : Frequently Asked Questions", Writting center, Antioch University, Santa Barbara, 06/12/2018.

“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.

Example of a citation with the Chicago Style standard in the body of the text:

• "Plagiarism in a thesis, dissertation, or other research paper is punishable by a penalty. Indeed, academic integrity is an essential element of graduation." (Compilatio, 2022).

Chicago Style Standard in Bibliography:

• How to write a university thesis step by step? 19 01 2022. https://www.compilatio.net/en/blog/thesis

Sources:

• "The Chicago Manual of Style Online" Consulted on 28/01/2022.
• "Chicago Style Guide", Menlo School Library, 24/05/2021
• "Chicago Manual Style (CMS) Format", Germanna Community College, Academic center for excellence, february 2015.

Example of a citation with ABNT in the body of the text:

• "Plagiarism in a thesis, dissertation or other research work is punishable by a penalty. Indeed, academic integrity is an essential element of graduation." (Compilatio, 2021).

ABNT standard in bibliopgraphy:

• Compilatio, Your Ultimate Guide to Academic Ghostwriting, Compilatio blog, available at https://www.compilatio.net/en/blog/ghostwriting, 02/01/2023.

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:

Compilatio Studium also helps you detect poorly referenced sources in your academic reports. Adjust these problematic passages by adapting to the citation standard of your choice or that recommended by your institution.

Learn more about quotation rules:

• "APA Format Citation Guide" Mendeley.com, consulted on 03/02/2022.
• "Technical Standards: Citing standards" Université at Buffalo, University Libraries, 01/02/2022.
• "Quotations" APA Style, 12/2021.
• "Citing standards" The University of IOWA libraries, 13/09/2021.

Additionnal resources : 

• "What Is A Heading In A Book" Whenyouwrite.com, 21/08/2021.