Format • 1. MLA Format • 2. Arrange the citations in alphabetical order by the first words, ignoring "A", "An", and "The" when they are the first word of the title. • 3. The first line of each citation is not indented. The second line is indented (usually 1/2").
Bibliography Example "Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund. Environmental Defense Fund, 8 May 2007. Web. 24 May 2009. Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. “Clinton on Climate Change.” New York Times. New York Times, May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009. Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." New York Times. New York Times, 22 May 2007. Web. 25 May 2009. Ebert, Roger. "An Inconvenient Truth." Rev. of An Inconvenient Truth, dir. Davis Guggenheim. rogerebert.com. Sun-Times News Group, 2 June 2006. Web. 24 May 2009.
Examples Here’s the ORIGINAL text, from page 1 of a Facebook Biography by Sid Yadav: Originally called thefacebook, Facebook was founded by former-Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (while at Harvard) who ran it as one of his hobby projects with some financial help from Eduardo Saverin. Within months, Facebook and its core idea spread across the dorm rooms of Harvard where it was very well received. Soon enough, it was extended to Stanford and Yale where, like Harvard, it was widely endorsed.
Unacceptable Initially called thefacebook, Facebook was invented by former-Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg (while he attended Harvard) who ran it as one of his hobby projects with some monetary help from Eduardo Saverin. Within months, Facebook and its main idea spread across the dorm rooms of Harvard where it was very popular. Soon enough, it branched out to Stanford and Yale where, like Harvard, it was widely used.
Acceptable Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg, who was a Harvard student. At first Zuckerberg called his side hobby thefacebook. However, Zuckerberg does not deserve all of the credit. His friend Eduardo Saverin helped him along the way. Within months of launching Facebook, it caught on like wildfire across the Harvard campus. Not long after its release to the students at Harvard, students at Stanford and Yale were also using this new social media website (Yadav 1).
Acceptable Facebook was created by Mark Zuckerberg, who was a Harvard student. At first Zuckerberg “ran it as one of his hobby projects” and called it thefacebook. However, Zuckerberg does not deserve all of the credit. He had “some financial help from Eduardo Saverin.” Within months of launching Facebook, it caught on like wildfire across the Harvard campus. Not long after its release to the students at Harvard, students at Stanford and Yale were also using this new social media website (Yadav 1).
IMPORTANT ***Note that if the writer had used these phrases or sentences in her own paper without putting quotation marks around them, she would be PLAGIARIZING. Using another person’s phrases or sentences without putting quotation marks around them is considered plagiarism EVEN IF THE WRITER CITES IN HER OWN TEXT THE SOURCE OF THE PHRASES OR SENTENCES SHE HAS QUOTED.***
Strategies • 1. Put in “quotations” everything that comes directly from the text especially when taking notes. • 2. Paraphrase, but be sure you are not just rearranging or replacing a few words. Instead, read over what you want to paraphrase carefully; cover up the text with your hand, or close the text so you can’t see any of it (and so aren’t tempted to use the text as a “guide”). Write out the idea in your own words without peeking. • 3. Check your paraphrase against the original text to be sure you have not accidentally used the same phrases or words, and that the information is accurate.
Common Knowledge • Common knowledge: facts that can be found in numerous places and are likely to be known by a lot of people. • Example: John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States in 1960. • Or: Facebook is used by millions of people all over the world. • This is generally known information. You do not need to document this fact. • However, you must document facts that are not generally known and ideas that interpret facts.
When in doubt, cite it! Things to cite: Quotes, paraphrasing, facts, data
Quiz • http://library.camden.rutgers.edu/EducationalModule/Plagiarism/plagiarism_quiz.swf
Intro Paragraph • Get the readers attention!! • Weird fact, quote, crazy statistic… • Introduce the time period... • What was the world like? • Thesis statement • Why is your person considered to be an American hero?
BODY • Personal Background • Personal details (birth, school, marriage, kids, death) • Historical Background • What was happening around the world that they WERE NOT involved in!!! • Contributions to Society • What did your person do for America???
Conclusion • Personal Reflections • Quick summary of your main points • Restate why your person is considered an American hero • Who would have viewed your person as an American hero? • Who may not have viewed your person as an American hero? • Is their impact on America still felt today???
