To Cite Or Not To Cite Please Respond To The Following

To Cite Or Not To Citeplease Respond To The Following

Explain your agreement or disagreement with the decision to cite or not to cite explained in each of the following scenarios:

· Shakespeare died over 400 years ago. So, Hiram inserted a quote by Shakespeare from the play Hamlet into an essay without using quotation marks or citing the reference.

· Beattie noted in his history paper the fact that representatives from the 13 British colonies signed the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776, but he did not cite a source for the information.

· When taking notes about the American Revolution, Sara found a quote of Benjamin Franklin’s words, which she paraphrased. She inserted it into her paper without quotation marks or a reference to Benjamin Franklin.

· Jeffery wrote a paper on popular music in which he claimed that many songs came from earlier sources. He included the entire song lyrics from the Beatles and compared them to the lyrics of a song by a folk singer from the 1930s. He cited the Beatles. Although he included the lyrics from the 1930 song, he did not include a reference to the source.

Paper For Above instruction

The question of whether or not to cite sources in academic and intellectual work is fundamental to scholarly integrity and the dissemination of accurate information. Proper citation not only acknowledges the original authors' contributions but also allows readers to verify facts and explore sources further. Analyzing the scenarios presented illustrates the importance of understanding when citations are necessary, the concept of common knowledge, and the implications of neglecting proper references.

In the first scenario involving Shakespeare’s quote from Hamlet, the issue is whether the quote, which is over 400 years old, needs citation when inserted into a modern essay. Traditionally, classical works and well-known facts are considered common knowledge, and citing such information is often not necessary. Shakespeare's plays are extensively studied and widely referenced, and individual quotes from Hamlet have entered the public domain and cultural consciousness. Nonetheless, if the quote is taken verbatim and from a specific edition or translation, it is academically prudent to cite the source, especially if the quote is pivotal to the argument or analysis. The failure to use quotation marks and cite the quote constitutes plagiarism, as it appears as the author’s own words, which is misleading and academically dishonest.

Similarly, Beattie’s omission of a citation for facts about the Declaration of Independence constitutes a breach of scholarly standards. Facts that are widely known, such as the signing of the Declaration in 1776, are generally considered common knowledge and do not require citation. However, if Beattie’s statement was derived from a specific source or interpretation, failure to cite it can be problematic, particularly if the source offers a unique perspective or detailed analysis that is not common knowledge. To ensure academic integrity, writers must recognize the boundary between common knowledge and information that requires attribution.

With reference to Sara’s paraphrasing of Benjamin Franklin’s words, proper citation and quotation marks are critical. Paraphrasing involves rephrasing someone else's ideas or words; however, it still constitutes intellectual property and requires acknowledgment through citations. Forgetting to cite Franklin’s paraphrased quote or neglecting quotation marks when directly quoting can lead to accusations of plagiarism. Scholars must be diligent in attributing paraphrased ideas to their original sources to maintain transparency and uphold ethical standards in scholarly writing.

Jeffery’s case highlights issues surrounding fair use and citation in the context of music lyrics. While citing the Beatles’ lyrics was appropriate, failing to reference the source of the 1930s folk song lyrics compromises the integrity of the work. Proper citation practices involve citing all sources of information, regardless of whether the material is quoted verbatim or paraphrased, to give proper credit and enable verification. In this scenario, even if the lyrics are presented in comparison, omitting the source of the 1930s song constitutes plagiarism and diminishes the credibility of the work.

Overall, each scenario underscores the importance of understanding when citations are necessary. Classical works and well-known facts often do not require attribution, but specific quotes, paraphrased ideas, and sourced data must always be cited. Neglecting to cite sources can lead to accusations of plagiarism, damage academic reputation, and undermine scholarly integrity. Therefore, it is essential for students and writers to develop a clear understanding of citation practices and adhere rigorously to ethical standards when engaging with sources.

References

• Gibaldi, J. (2009). MLA Handbook (8th ed.). Modern Language Association.
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.).
• Harris, R. (2017). Students' Guide to Citation and Avoiding Plagiarism. Routledge.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab. (2023). General Format. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_formatting_and_style_guide.html
• University of Chicago Press. (2017). The Chicago Manual of Style (17th ed.). University of Chicago Press.
• Leaning, A. (2015). Academic Integrity and Ethical Use of Sources. Journal of Higher Education Ethics, 12(3), 45-59.
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• Miller, S. (2021). Understanding Common Knowledge and Its Limits. Teaching Writing, 19(1), 58-70.