What is a citation and why do we do them? NCSU Libraries explain in this short 3 minute video Citation: A (Very) Brief Introduction.
When is appropriate documentation required? Proper attribution of a source must be given if you are:
(1) directly quoting a source (online document, video transcript, interview, statistics, tables, charts, etc…),
(2) paraphrasing a source (i.e. using the words or ideas of the creator and rephrasing them using your own words and structure), or
(3) summarizing a source (taking talking points from a source, reducing content).
Information that is considered common knowledge does not need to cited. Common knowledge can be a difficult term to identify, especially when you begin to delve deeper into research within a specific discipline. Review this page on Common Knowledge from the Yale University Writing Center that discusses the ambiguity of the term and how it is important to look at the context in which the information is being delivered or shared to determine whether or not a source would be common knowledge (foundational knowledge) to its audience.
Two recommended websites for assistance with MLA style are
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab has produced a MLA Formatting and Style Guide that can help with general citation guidelines, in-text citations, formatting a paper and citing tables & figures.
Diane Hacker's Research and Documentation Online can also help with your list of works cited, in-text citations including visual sources, and includes a sample MLA research paper.
If you prefer to use to a print guide, the NSCC Libraries own the MLA Handbook. Ask a Librarian if you need help locating it.
MLA Handbook for Writers of Research PapersBook a Librarian! Librarians are available to help you with citations.
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