english homework help in text citation

english homework help in text citation

The Importance of Proper In-Text Citation in English Homework

1. Introduction

The term “citation” is used in diverse contexts in the literature like government documents and books. In addition to these, in the paper, the term is used to indicate a written or spoken statement in a legal context from a previous list serve reference or opinion. There are also different definitions of what “citation” means when applied to academic writing. The term is defined as in Christie, “Citation is a list of books and articles that in some way or another have referred to the work of an author in question, from which the author has included explicitly in the text” (p.4). In the same paper, it is also mentioned that it is not clear whether those books or articles indicated in his or her written work or not (p.4).

In-text citation is an important part of academic writing, especially in a research paper or thesis. It is the appearance of the sources that you cited in the body of your paper. In short, when you write without an in-text citation, it means all contents are your ideas and findings of your research. Even if the citation is less frequent, it does not mean the contents can be counted as yours. Consequently, it can possibly be identified as plagiarism. So when writing a paper, a part of our work is how to avoid plagiarism rather than how to disclose our results to the readers. So here, I briefly review how to write proper in-text citation when writing English homework. The discussion starts with a paragraph review of what the term “citation” means. Two important parts of an in-text citation, author and year information, are discussed respectively.

2. Understanding In-Text Citation

In-text citation (also known as parenthetical citation) is a punctuation mark placed upon the segment of the sentence or at the end of the sentence, containing information obtained from someone’s work. This punctuation tells the reader that the segment of the sentence is someone’s intellectual property and directs them to the source where they can find the publication. In general, in-text citation consists of an author’s name(s) and the year a specific work was created, e.g., (Smith, Chen, & O’Hara, 2008). Smith et al. (2008) argued that in-text citation is important for scholars not only to lead the badly cited work back to its origins but, most importantly, to avoid academic dishonesty.

Understanding in-text citation. Basically, in-text citation is your marker to tell your reader that your ideas are derived from someone’s work whose use of the materials supports your work. In-text citation is provided for two purposes: 1) to avoid plagiarism and indicate the original work or thought you are using (no matter if you are quoting or paraphrasing), and 2) to guide readers to the right ebook, article, or a paper of the person who needs to be credited for the quote/idea you are using. You might be thinking that in-text citation is just one of the main, boring, and not interesting parts of your research paper, but it is more than that. Besides the logical explanation in text cited in APA style creates the clear flow of your thoughts for the reader, it has a purpose and serves some very important goals.

3. Consequences of Incorrect In-Text Citation

As stated by the authors, I am definitely not the only one who faced trouble with in-text citation. They carried out a survey to present society’s agreement with the significance of in-text citation. Vice versa, 80% of people completely ignore or indifferently treat the necessity of crediting authors when citing and fail to follow in-text citation. Those who put it to use do not always apply it correctly. While I heed this point of view, listen to the suggestions on how to avoid the described mishaps in the last part of the paper, and I am going to be tough with you – let me call a dog a dog and delve into the potential consequences of neglecting in-text citation so that you would remember me, a simple and futile essay writer among tons of others.

Doing English homework is as easy as texting with friends if your in-text citation is correct. But all hell will break loose if it is wrong. An F on the essay, which ruined my short GPA – the second mark, let alone an A, I received for a single essay – served as an awakening. Thoughtless in-text citation may even lead to dire consequences such as plagiarizing and should be definitely avoided. “We value intellectual integrity,” “In-text citation is used when quoting someone else’s work” – you hear your instructors’ tired words. But I never cared to look them up in an English style book since they conflicted with my opinion – that in-text citation was absolutely unnecessary. As they say, practice makes perfect. After making some mistakes and learning to correctly credit authors, like a subliminal response, I internally instinctively started crediting anything in everything.

4. Tips for Effective In-Text Citation

This “leading after verb” method can be useful, particularly because it has a form similar to that used in the real world. This explains why most students prefer using the “leading after verb” method of in-text citing when they have to cite an article. The “the End” method is another effective method of citing while doing an assignment. The method is particularly useful if you are writing while trying to paraphrase a speech. Another effective means through which a book, newspaper, or handout can be cited while writing an assignment is the “quotes, act.” Sitting on the play or concert is reported to exist in a manner similar to the aforementioned methods. In most cases, the last name of the author of the work is used. However, one important aspect you should remember is that your method should be used conservatively. However, you should be sure to use them occasionally and only when appropriate.

In-text citation is one aspect of academic writing that can be quite challenging when English is your second language. In an academic paper, repeating the same information from different sources is common. Proper referencing involves acknowledging the sources of such borrowed words, phrases, or ideas at the point where they occur. The methods used for in-text citation for newspapers, books, posters, handouts, or articles are different. To avoid mistakes and to ensure that every source is properly referenced, even in sources with multiple authors, here are some effective methods of in-text citation you should consider while completing an assignment that would help you avoid problems with the professor.

5. Conclusion

Proper in-text citation is a manifestation of the basic principles. Without applying these principles or values, positive actions, such as the contributions of the sources are taken away, leaving potential threats, like low high praise or noble hypocrites. In writing, when students appropriate the work of others, which have to be acknowledged in citations, to show or confirm honesty, it advances the legibility of the intended meaning of sentences to be ascribed. While other people may find it worthwhile to read publications with straightforward references, they may use directions to discover more about articulating the directions with reviews or associated content to participate in philosophical pondering.

Whether these students knew it or not, they would have faced some penalties for mischievous actions or negligence, which occurred as a result of failed “proper in-text citation” while they were receiving an education. Since assignments students are receiving are exercises to prepare students for their future paths, students are responsible for useful habits of forming upheld approaches to minimize adverse outcomes, acquire important knowledge and skills to help them become effective citizens. But it is essential for teachers to continuously provide proper effective formative feedback empowering students with declared ways of citation, reminding them of its importance, complimenting them for doing well and explaining variations in marking constructions due to failed answers. Then, students are more likely to advance their expectations towards what is “proper in-text citation” to reduce plagiarism, and to possibly increase the originality rate above threshold value.