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Citation Help and Avoiding Plagiarism

Help with citation styles, citation tools, integrating sources into text, and plagiarism.

Integrating Sources in the Text

Integrating Sources in the Text video (7:59)

University of Jamestown Writing Center

Signal Phrases and Verbs for Referring to Sources

Signal Phrases

  • Signal Phrases introduce a quote or paraphrase using the author's name and a verb "signifying" the use of someone else's thoughts or words (ie. "state," "said," or "wrote")
  • Action verbs are often used to reference what the author is doing in the source. See the list of verbs in the links below.
  • Some signal phrases do not contain a verb, bush as "According to..."
  • In Chicago Style, verbs can be used in present or past tense. 
  • Signal phrases can also demonstrate disagreement, by using words such as "rejects," or "disputes." 

Citing Sources in Multimedia Projects

Plagiarism, copyright, and citation are just as important when creating multimedia as when you are writing a paper. Video, podcasts, online digital exhibits, and more all have the same requirements as a written paper to cite sources and make sure you aren't incorrectly using something that is protected by copyright. Please contact a librarian or Instructional Technology Specialist with questions!

Video Citation Guidelines

Plagiarism, copyright, and citation are just as important when creating multimedia as when you are writing a paper. Video, podcasts, online digital exhibits, and more all have the same requirements as a written paper to cite sources and make sure you aren't incorrectly using something that is protected by copyright. Please contact a librarian or Instructional Technology Specialist with questions!

Podcasting Citation Guidelines

Digital Storytelling

Basic ethics of research involving other humans includes:

  • Respect for the persons - fully inform the subject of the purpose of the study to allow them to make an informed decision about participation. Use beneficence and justice liberally for digital storytelling.
  • Beneficence, or active well-doing, is demonstrated by:
    • protecting the subjects from risk
    • doing good to others with moral obligation
  • Justice means:
    • select subjects fairly, don't take advantage of underserved groups

Ethical considerations

  • Purpose of story
    • Be clear on the purpose of your assignment
      • research vs advocacy vs marketing or promotion may mean questions are asked and responses are framed differently. 
  • Conducting interviews
    • Be mindful of the ways you can shape any conversation or story
  • Protecting participants
    • Although intent may be admirable, the possibility of harm through misrepresenting a culture, perpetuating stereotypes, or exposing the interviewee to unintended actions from government (e.g., ICE), social groups (e.g., hate groups), or other agents may still exist.
    • How can you mitigate harm? Particular care must be taken with participants who are survivors of trauma or members of vulnerable populations. 
  • Permissions & Consent
    • Recruitment and consent to participate need to be clear, with options for participants to be anonymous or credited by name, as well as opportunity to withdraw from the project. 
    • Be specific about how or where individuals’ stories will be shared. 
  • Intellectual Property Rights
    • Who owns the story?

Whenever someone is interviewed, they should read and sign a Release Form. This form should be printed and kept with other interview materials. Please contact a librarian or Instructional Technology Specialist with questions!

CSB and SJU Release and Authorization for Use of Data form

Writing: Quotes, Paraphrases, and Summaries

Decide whether to quote, paraphrase, or summarize a resource. Each of these should also have a citation. 

The Purdue Owl defines these concepts.