Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

GNST 4350: Interdisciplinary Project: 8. Citing

This guide is specific to completing the Project Outline, Project Research (Problem and Audience), and Project Research (Format and Minors) steps of the GNST 4350 Interdisciplinary Project.

Cite Your Sources

Step 8: Cite Your Sources

Here is where you make sure you're citing your sources - both in-text for paraphrasing and quoting, and in your reference page at the end.  You should...

  • use the Cite tool in Start Your Research to get a citation for any article you use (box below right),
  • use the Purdue OWL or the APA Style Blog to check to make sure the citation is formatted correctly (box below left),
  • watch the two videos in the center box for information about how to paraphrase and quote without plagiarizing.

Note: not citing your sources is plagiarism - a kind of theft.  For more information, look at the lower boxes.

Excelsior OWL

The Excelsior OWL (Online Writing Lab) has helpful citation formatting for

Ways to Avoid Plagiarism

Here's how to avoid plagiarism: 

Simply give credit where credit is due.  When you use information from other people's work, cite it.  Our citation guide will help you use:

Direct quote

  • If you want to use a sentence or a passage exactly as it was written, you can include a direct quote, surrounded by quotation marks, and cite it by referencing the author and work of origin.

Summary/Paraphrase

  • You can also write a summary in your own words of the ideas or (or paraphrase) the text you want to use. It helps to write the summary from your memory rather than looking directly at the passage.

Writing a summary and paraphrasing can be tricky as you MUST put the information in your own words, so to learn more about avoiding plagiarism, read the Plagiarism Guide.

APA - Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

Here's how to paraphrase and quote without plagiarizing.* 

PLEASE NOTE: this is done in APA 6.  The information about paraphrasing and quoting is correct, but to cite your paraphrase or quote correctly in APA 7, see the next video.

From Rasmussen College Library & Learning Services.

Watch this video to learn to create in-text citations in APA 7.

From the Excelsior College OWL.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is a very serious offense.
Examples of Plagiarism Include:

  • Using someone else's ideas or writings and presenting them as your own
  • Using someone else's paper or paying someone to write your paper
  • Restating someone else's ideas or writings too closely
  • Not citing quotations

Who can help me make sure I'm NOT plagiarizing?

If you have specific questions about citing your sources, writing tips, or help with editing, go to:

Student Learning Assistance Center (SLAC)

Get in-person tutoring at the Student Learning Assistance Center, or SLAC, located on the 4th floor of Alkek Library. Check the website for hours and availability.

SLAC also maintains good handout page for quick reference.

Texas State University Writing Center

The Writing Center is located on the first floor of ASB North. You can get help with all types of writing, including papers, essays, and resumes.

The Writing Center offers in-person and online tutoring (check their website for more information). You can also print out documentation handouts.

 

Cite Tool

Use the cite tool in Start Your Research:

  • From your results page, click on the title of an article.
  • Click on the "Cite" tool in the right column.
  • Scroll down to the APA style citation.
  • Copy and paste that into your reference page.
  • Don't forget to check it for accuracy!