Citation question

fenderx55 · #1 05-05-2008, 05:49 PM

Hey guys&ladies,

I'm in the library working on a 20 page paper because for w/e reason I decided to take a 300 level history class in my last semester of college, and I'm not a history major.

My problem is this: I haven't written a research paper in a long time, and certainly not one this extensive nor with so many sources. Let's say I wanted to state something that I just know or that I've witnessed, do I have to find someone who's said it before or can I just let it ride?

And if it's the latter, do I have to state in some sort of footnote that it's from my own head to avoid any question of plagiarism (they really don't mess around with that stuff anymore).

So now instead of celebrating Cinco de mayo (yeah I saw that thread, but an excuse to drink is an excuse to drink inn't?) I'm writing about apostasy in Catholicism vs. Mormonism and the suppression of dissent within both. And it was my idea. Groovy.

Thanks for the help,
chris

WickedPissah · #2 05-05-2008, 06:31 PM

I think you could site personal experience.

fdeck · #3 05-05-2008, 06:51 PM

Well, if it's a research paper, then the information is really supposed to come from your research. Still, it's fair game to introduce information that is either common knowledge or your own speculation, so long as you identify it as such. You could just say: "It is common knowledge that..." or "I speculate that..." or some such thing. If you draw a conclusion primarily from your own idea, then the teacher might think that you were trying to avoid doing the research.

Of course the risk is if the teacher pulls up the exact same information from some reference book, or the Internet, then you're screwed. Thus if you can find a source, you are better off.

But of course the teacher has to make the effort.

fenderx55 · #4 05-05-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdeck

But of course the teacher has to make the effort.

he would. I asked for a 24 hour extension via email and he seemed pissed in his 4 word reply ("Fine. Tuesday 5pm.") Idk if you can count 5pm as two words. aright, i'm just gonna do lots of speculating.

I just want htis over with, but it's like the only grade in the class... no one gives below a B on these things right? It's nyu...it's like they're job to make us look good.

iamlowsound · #5 05-05-2008, 07:07 PM

Don't you guys use turnitin.com? If so make sure that everything is sourced correctly.

lowsound

peterbright · #6 05-05-2008, 07:49 PM

Put some effort into it. You might learn something.

fenderx55 · #7 05-05-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterbright

Put some effort into it. You might learn something.

I have. The problem is I let my curiosity dictate what I was researching and lost sight of my thesis, so I spent about a week researching stuff that was of no use to me. I'm just frustrated because I can't motivate myself until the last minute and this isn't something you can do last minute and I really just want school to be over with. I've been putting some effort into it for 4 years, I'm ready to stop putting effort into it.

krovx · #8 05-05-2008, 08:29 PM

This will help you with making your citations http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/
www.mla.org for others
For my writing I use a small reference handbook, but I know that doesn't help you

fenderx55 · #9 05-05-2008, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krovx

This will help you with making your citations http://www.calvin.edu/library/knightcite/
www.mla.org for others
For my writing I use a small reference handbook, but I know that doesn't help you

Thanks krovx, I have one too... it's just in my apartment and not the library. For w/e reason, it never occurred to me to see if mla had a website...