Citing Sources

Many neophyte writers don't understand the necessity of citing their sources. This avoidable mistake is grave. Often these writers commit this error out of ignorance rather than attempt to steal another writer's ideas. However, the blunder is still inexcusable. These new writers have a responsibility to learn and understand the rules that govern writing and what constitutes plagiarism.

If a writer understands what plagiarism is, he will be much less likely to plagiarize a work. Furthermore, an author that understands the importance of citing sources is much less likely to plagiarize than a writer that merely recognizes plagiarism. However, the definition of plagiarism can be used to gain valuable insights into the importance of avoiding plagiarism.

Hult and Huckin define plagiarism as "... the unauthorized or misleading use of the language and thoughts of another author". This brief definition of plagiarism contains some of the most important reasons to cite sources. The use of the word unauthorized is a major clue. This word suggests that an author has ownership of their words. To use the words of a particular author requires permission. Of course, granting permission to everyone that wanted to use an author's words could potentially become tedious and very time consuming for both parties. Therefore authors have developed a code of ethics, in which merely citing a source is adequate.

Ethically responsible writers will make sure to cite their sources because as Bullock notes, "[p]lagiarism is a serious breach of ethics". Writers have a sense of honor. The practice of writing brings one honor. When an author is published, the publishing agent gives that author the honor of being published. Furthermore when one author quotes, summarizes, or paraphrases what another author has written, honor is passed on to the original author. Williams described this code of honor best when he said:

"The plagiarist ... steals the respect and recognition that a plagiarized source deserves fir her work. And the student plagiarist steals not only words and ideas, but the recognition due his colleagues by making their work seem worse in comparison to his own."

Responsible students will therefore, ensure that all ideas and words of other authors are well documented in their own papers. Honorable students will never break this strict code of ethics that writers follow.

A failure to cite properly an author is not only unethical, it is criminal. Often these young authors don't know that they have committed a crime. Neophyte writers are often shocked when they learn how severe this crime actually is. In fact, Williams equates plagiarism to theft . In almost every case, the written words and ideas of an author are intellectual property. The use of these words or ideas without citation, or permission, is the literal theft of that intellectual property. The perpetrators of this crime can be sued by the original author if caught.

The citation of sources is important for students on many levels. It is important ethically for writers to cite sources. It also protects them from criminal charges. Therefore documenting sources is important for all writers and should be followed rigorously.

Bullock, R. (2006). The Norton Field Guide to Writing. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.

Hult, C. A., & Huckin, T. N. (2007). The New Century Handbook. Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.

Williams, J. M. (2007). Style: Lessons in Grace and Clarity 9th ed. New York: Pearson .