Title: The Research Process—Using and Citing Sources
Course: Question Banks

Q: Read the following passage:

Although most people are confident that they could not be fooled by a fake news article, research shows evidence to the contrary. Economists Hunt Allcott and Matthew Gentzkow conducted an experiment to see if people believed fake articles that the researchers had created themselves. They called these articles "placebo" fake news articles. They surveyed people and asked them if they could recall seeing the article in question reported or discussed prior to the election. The researchers found that some participants claimed they had heard the "placebo" articles mentioned during the election season. However, the study also indicated that "most widely circulated hoaxes were seen by only a small fraction of Americans" (Crawford). Despite the narrow viewership of fake news articles, they do have the power to influence at least some readers' beliefs and possibly influence those readers' actions. The implications of this research are vast.

Which of the following contains a signal phrase?
- Although most people are confident that they could not be fooled by a fake news article, research shows evidence to the contrary. (Incorrect. While this sentence moves towards the research and ideas of others, it does not actually signal discussion of those ideas in this sentence.)
- Despite the narrow viewership of fake news articles, they do have the power to influence at least some readers' beliefs and possibly influence those readers' actions. (Incorrect. This sentence engages in summary of the research of others, but it does not signal a transition from the writer’s ideas into that research.)
- The implications of this research are vast. (Incorrect. This sentence moves back from the research of others back to the writer’s thinking.)
- However, the study also indicated that "most widely circulated hoaxes were seen by only a small fraction of Americans." (Correct. “The study also indicated” makes clear that the writer is turning here to research conducted by others during their study.)
A: However, the study also indicated that "most widely circulated hoaxes were seen by only a small fraction of Americans."

Q: Read the following passage:

Although most people are confident that they could not be fooled by a fake news article, research shows evidence to the contrary. Economists Hunt Allcott and Matthew Gentzkow conducted an experiment to see if people believed fake articles that the researchers had created themselves. Based on this passage, what can we expect the next sentence of this paragraph to do?
- Use a signal phrase to connect the source's author with its content. (Incorrect. The sentence-Economists Hunt Allcott and Matthew Gentzkow conducted an experiment to see if people believed fake articles that the researchers had created themselves.-is the signal phrase. Next, we can expect an introduction of a quote, paraphrase, or summary of the source’s content.)
- Synthesize or analyze the content and illustrate how it relates to the writer’s own work. (Incorrect. Before we can synthesize or analyze the content, we need a quote, paraphrase, or summary of the source’s content.)
- Focus on the writer’s own idea, ideally with a clear transition linking to the argument in the previous section. (Incorrect. The sentence-Although most people are confident that they could not be fooled by a fake news article, research shows evidence to the contrary.-focuses on the writer’s own idea. The second sentence signals a transition to other research. Next, we can expect an introduction of a quote, paraphrase, or summary of the source’s content.)
- Quote, paraphrase, or summarize the findings of Allcott and Gentzkow. (Correct! After the signal phrase, we can expect an introduction of a quote, paraphrase, or summary of the source’s content.)
A: Quote, paraphrase, or summarize the findings of Allcott and Gentzkow.

Q: Eduardo is discussing the Russian interference in the 2016 national election for his research paper. As he transitions to a discussion of the Mueller report, which phrase best signals his transition to information from the report?
- Robert Mueller, special counsel, found that... (Incorrect. This sentence signals a transition to Mueller’s findings, but it does so without much grace and without establishing the relevance and credibility of the report to Eduardo’s research.)
- Volume 1 of The Mueller Report concludes that the investigation did not find sufficient evidence that the campaign "coordinated or conspired with the Russian government.” (Incorrect.This sentences signals a transition to Mueller’s findings, but it does so without explaining as clearly as it might what The Mueller Report is and its credibility as a source.)
- On March 24, Attorney General William Barr sent Congress a letter detailing the report's conclusions. (Incorrect. This sentence signals a transition to Barr’s letter rather than to the report itself.)
- According to The Mueller Report, officially titled Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, investigators found that … (Correct. This sentence introduces the source and establishes its relevance and credibility to Eduardo’s research.)
A: According to The Mueller Report, officially titled Report on the Investigation into Russian Interference in the 2016 Presidential Election, investigators found that …

Q: What’s the most effective advice for a student who has written the following passage?

Not everyone thinks that school vouchers are a good idea. “These vouchers are the worst idea to ever come through this state. They will ruin the democratic process” (Smith 33). “Vouchers mean that school districts can no longer predict the flow of money and resources and that affects kids directly” (Garcias 199).
- This passage is effective because you quoted people who clearly have strong opinions. (Incorrect. Even solid, powerful quotations need to be well integrated into your writing in order to be effective.)
- You may want to consider paraphrasing these sources, because paraphrases are easier to read. (Incorrect. It’s important not to overload your writing with quotations, but direct quotes are important and effective, as long as you provide context and integrate them into your writing.)
- These quotations are long and should be formatted as block quotes. (Incorrect. These quotations aren’t more than four lines each, so they don’t need to be formatted as block quotes. More importantly, make sure you provide context for and integrate any quotations you include..)
- You need to provide context for your quotes so we know why you’re including them. (Correct! These are solid, powerful quotations, but they need to be well integrated into your writing, with context and discussion, in order to be effective.)
A: You need to provide context for your quotes so we know why you’re including them.

Q: Which of the following is true about quotes?
- You should never quote a source directly, only paraphrase or summarize it. (Incorrect. Paraphrase and summary are good, but direct quotations are also an important way to engage in conversation with others’ ideas in your writing.)
- It’s okay to not cite the sources of your quotes. (Incorrect. The citation is an important part of the quote sandwich! You need to be clear about the source for other ideas you engage with in your writing.)
- When quoting, be sure you include the full sentence from the original source. (Incorrect. Only include as much of the quotation as you need to make clear the idea you are discussing. It’s not necessary to quote a sentence in full. Sometimes you might quote only a word or phrase!)
- Too many quotes in your paper may make the reader wonder whether you have any point of your own to make. (Correct! You want to include quotations as part of your attempt to engage in a conversation with other ideas in your writing, but make sure your own ideas don’t get lost!)
A: Too many quotes in your paper may make the reader wonder whether you have any point of your own to make.

Q: Which of the following passages demonstrates a more effective use of quoted material?

1. “Since the 1950s,” educational expert Dwayne Robison writes, “government spending on education has gone up 233%, while increases in test results have only gone up 15%. This is a worrying fact for anyone arguing that increasing government spending will help our kids” (98).
2. Government spending on schools has gone up 233% since the 1950s and had very little positive effect, something that Dwayne Robison calls a “worrying fact” (98) for anyone trying to make the case that an increased government investment in education will improve student learning. His research shows that government spending is not the best way to improve American education.
- A, because it includes the entire quote, so that the readers can see it for themselves. (Incorrect. You should include only as much of the quotation as you need to make clear the idea you are discussing.)
- B, because the author paraphrases the entire quote, so the reader can see it in plain language. (Incorrect. Paraphrasing doesn’t necessarily mean taking a complex quote and putting it into plain language. Especially if the author’s ideas are presented in unique and/or challenging language, we may quote those ideas in that language and then discuss the ideas in our own, plainer language.)
- A, because the author uses the minimal amount of quoted text as evidence. (Incorrect. Actually, B uses a smaller amount of quoted text. And it also allows the author to integrate Robison’s ideas into a broader discussion of how to improve American education.)
- B, because it uses evidence from Robinson to make an argument about how to improve education. (Correct! The first passage (A) does move beyond offering the ideas of Robison in the quote. The second passage (B) uses Robison’s ideas (the quote) but also allows the author to integrate Robison’s ideas into a broader discussion of how to improve American education.)
A: B, because it uses evidence from Robinson to make an argument about how to improve education.

Q: Your peer says “There’s no point in paraphrasing my sources.” What can you tell her to help her write a stronger essay?
- Paraphrasing isn’t necessary; you can present all your source information as direct quotations. (Incorrect.You want to use a combination of quotations, summary, and paraphrasing when you present your source material and engage in conversation with others in your writing.)
- Paraphrases are useful if you’ve forgotten exactly what your source said originally. (Incorrect. If you don’t remember what your source said, it is likely impossible to be accurate and correct in your paraphrase. You should probably find your source and review the passage you want to include.)
- If you don’t paraphrase, you won’t have to worry about plagiarism. (Incorrect. Whether you paraphrase or quote, you need to reference your sources so that your reader can understand how you are engaging in appropriate and professional conversation with others. When you acknowledge your sources, you won’t be in danger of committing plagiarism!)
- If you quote all the time, your paper will be choppy and hard to read. (Correct. You want to use a combination of quotations, summary, and paraphrasing when you present your source material and engage in conversation with others in your writing.)
A: If you quote all the time, your paper will be choppy and hard to read.

Q: If you find some key information from a source that you want to include in a paraphrase in your writing, you should
- use a direct quote as that’s always the most effective way to present evidence from other sources. (Incorrect.You want to use a combination of quotations, summary, and paraphrasing when you present your source material and engage in conversation with others in your writing.)
- re-write the passage by changing a few key words and phrases. (Incorrect.Changing a few key words and phrases does not make for an effective paraphrase. You need to be careful to represent the ideas of the source but in your own words.)
- use a combination of your own words and the authors’. (Incorrect. Changing a few key words and phrases does not make for an effective paraphrase. You need to be careful to represent the ideas of the source but in your own words. But it fine to paraphrase and use a direct quote in a sentence.)
- state that author’s ideas in your own words. (Correct. Exactly. And remember to include a citation.)
A: state that author’s ideas in your own words.

Q: Below is a passage from a scholarly article and excerpts from two student papers that draw on this material. Analyze these student papers. Which one uses the source material more effectively and why?

Original source

Research shows that the incidence of colon cancer is higher in active smokers compared to those who have stopped smoking; hence, smoking cessation is important for those who wish to decrease their likelihood of developing colon cancer. Aspirin taken daily reduces not only the incidence of both colon polyps and colon cancer but of cancer of the stomach and esophagus as well. It is felt that one coated adult aspirin (325 mg) daily is adequate for the purpose of preventing colon cancer. Aspirin interferes in prostaglandin metabolism and this seems to be the mechanism for it preventing cancer as well as cardiovascular disease. - by David Marconi

Student excerpt A

According to Marconi, research has shown that colon cancer is higher in active smokers compared to those who have stopped smoking” (45). That means that if you want to not get polyps “smoking cessation is important for those who wish to decrease their likelihood of developing colon cancer” (45).

Student excerpt B

Research shows a strong connection between quitting smoking and a decreased risk for colon cancer. Marconi argues that a daily dose of aspirin can help decrease the risk of colon cancer and polyps, as well as of other cancers. He notes that aspirin seems to prevent prostaglandin metabolism, which is involved in both cancer and cardiovascular disease (Marconi 45).
- A uses the material more effectively, because this source shows Marconi speaking in his own words, and quotes are always a more powerful use of sources. (Incorrect. Quotes and the original language of your sources can be powerful, but paraphrasing is also effective. In this case, B is a more thorough discussion of the source material.)
- A uses the material more effectively, because it provides direct quotations, and because B does not seem to draw upon the research at all. (Incorrect. You don’t need direct quotations to draw on the research material. B does that well!)
- B uses the material more effectively, but the writer should find synonyms for prostaglandin metabolism, colon cancer, and polyps or put those terms in quotation marks. (Incorrect. The terms used in the source passage are not terms created by Marconi. So the paraphrase does not need to cite his use of those terms.If Marconi had created those terms or used them in a particularly innovative way, then a direct quote might be necessary.)
- B uses the material more effectively, and the paraphrase here is more thorough in describing the evidence discussed in the original passage. (Correct. It’s important to paraphrase as accurately as you can, even if that means taking your time to put complicated ideas in the source material into your own words.)
A: B uses the material more effectively, and the paraphrase here is more thorough in describing the evidence discussed in the original passage.

Q: Read the passage below and answer the following questions about using sources appropriately.

In the article, "The Loneliness of the Interconnected", Charles Seife argues that people are becoming more and more isolated in our increasingly interconnected world and, furthermore, that bits and pieces of our delicate mental structure are withered away as we increasingly rely on the internet as our source of information. According to Seife, this mental decay leaves us with some opinions "as firm as bedrock, and just as difficult to remove" (290). As an example of this phenomenon, Seife describes how, in the 1950s, psychologist Leon Festinger sought to research the point at which this crisis occurs. He contacted a woman by the name of Dorothy Martin who was the leader of a small cult in Chicago. Martin believed that she was writing letters under the command of Clarion, a distant planet. She had concrete belief that Chicago would be wiped out and that the United States would be submerged underwater from a great flood on the morning of December 21, 1955. Her salvation? A spaceman, assumed to be a Clarion, would visit Dorothy and her followers hours before the disaster, whisking them away on a spaceship to safety. This bizarre and radical belief was only strengthened when the calamity never arose. The cult members convinced themselves that the Clarions managed to stop the destruction from happening (Seife 290-91). This type of herd mentality and definition of self convinces people to drink poisoned Kool-Aid.

Which of the following is an example of paraphrase?
- According to Seife, this mental decay leaves us with some opinions "as firm as bedrock, and just as difficult to remove" (290). (Incorrect. In this passage the author is directly quoting from the article, using the author's original language.)
- In the article, "The Loneliness of the Interconnected", Charles Seife argues that people are becoming more and more isolated in our increasingly interconnected world and, furthermore, that bits and pieces of our delicate mental structure are withered away as we increasingly rely on the internet as our source of information. (Incorrect. In this passage, the author is summarizing Seife's article, noting just the main points.)
- This passage is too long to be suitable for paraphrase. The writer should instead use a block quotation to include the passage in full. (Incorrect. There is nothing wrong with paraphrasing a long passage. And a long block quotation should only be used when a paraphrase would be very difficult (for example, when the wording in the source is critical to understanding the thinking).)
- As an example of this phenomenon, Seife describes how, in the 1950s, psychologist Leon Festinger sought to research the point at which this crisis occurs. He contacted a woman by the name of Dorothy Martin who was the leader of a small cult in Chicago. Martin believed that she was writing letters under the command of Clarion, a distant planet. She had concrete belief that Chicago would be wiped out and that the United States would be submerged underwater from a great flood on the morning of December 21, 1955. Her salvation? A spaceman, assumed to be a Clarion, would visit Dorothy and her followers hours before the disaster, whisking them away on a spaceship to safety. This bizarre and radical belief was only strengthened when the calamity never arose. The cult members convinced themselves that the Clarions managed to stop the destruction from happening (Seife 290–91). (Correct. In this passage, the writer is paraphrasing an extended example from Seife's article, maintaining the main points and including several details.)
A: As an example of this phenomenon, Seife describes how, in the 1950s, psychologist Leon Festinger sought to research the point at which this crisis occurs. He contacted a woman by the name of Dorothy Martin who was the leader of a small cult in Chicago. Martin believed that she was writing letters under the command of Clarion, a distant planet. She had concrete belief that Chicago would be wiped out and that the United States would be submerged underwater from a great flood on the morning of December 21, 1955. Her salvation? A spaceman, assumed to be a Clarion, would visit Dorothy and her followers hours before the disaster, whisking them away on a spaceship to safety. This bizarre and radical belief was only strengthened when the calamity never arose. The cult members convinced themselves that the Clarions managed to stop the destruction from happening (Seife 290–91).

Q: You are peer-reviewing a paper that uses quotation marks around material that the writer has not quoted word for word. The author calls these passages “summaries.” What feedback should you give to help this author write a more effective essay?
- If you have the author’s material in their own words, direct quotations are far more effective than summaries. (Incorrect. Summaries and direct quotations both have their place in good writing, and a good writer uses both.)
- You can use quotation marks when you summarize a text, as long as you start your sentence with a phrase like “In this summary…” (Incorrect. Summary should be made up of your own words, so direct quotations and question marks should be limited to key words or phrases.)
- The writer should simply remove the quotation marks. As long as the writer hasn’t used any word-for-word quotations, the summary should be effective. (Incorrect. Removing quotation marks won’t ensure that the discussion is an effective summary. The writer should also be sure the summary describes the main ideas of the original text.)
- Summaries are actually overviews of the main ideas of the original text. They don’t typically include quotations or word-for-word phrases except for key phrases. (Correct. Aside from a key word or phrase that is central to the original text, a summary should be an overview of the main ideas of the original text, in your own word.)
A: Summaries are actually overviews of the main ideas of the original text. They don’t typically include quotations or word-for-word phrases except for key phrases.

Q: Read the passage below and answer the following questions about using sources appropriately.

In the article, "The Loneliness of the Interconnected", Charles Seife argues that people are becoming more and more isolated in our increasingly interconnected world and, furthermore, that bits and pieces of our delicate mental structure are withered away as we increasingly rely on the internet as our source of information. According to Seife, this mental decay leaves us with some opinions "as firm as bedrock, and just as difficult to remove" (290). As an example of this phenomenon, Seife describes how, in the 1950s, psychologist Leon Festinger sought to research the point at which this crisis occurs. He contacted a woman by the name of Dorothy Martin who was the leader of a small cult in Chicago. Martin believed that she was writing letters under the command of Clarion, a distant planet. She had concrete belief that Chicago would be wiped out and that the United States would be submerged underwater from a great flood on the morning of December 21, 1955. Her salvation? A spaceman, assumed to be a Clarion, would visit Dorothy and her followers hours before the disaster, whisking them away on a spaceship to safety. This bizarre and radical belief was only strengthened when the calamity never arose. The cult members convinced themselves that the Clarions managed to stop the destruction from happening (Seife 290-91). This type of herd mentality and definition of self convinced people to drink poisoned Kool-Aid.

Which of the following is an example of summary?
- According to Seife, this mental decay leaves us with some opinions "as firm as bedrock, and just as difficult to remove" (290). (Incorrect. In this passage the author is directly quoting from the article, using the author's original language.)
- As an example of this phenomenon, Seife describes how, in the 1950s, psychologist Leon Festinger sought to research the point at which this crisis occurs. He contacted a woman by the name of Dorothy Martin who was the leader of a small cult in Chicago. Martin believed that she was writing letters under the command of Clarion, a distant planet. She had concrete belief that Chicago would be wiped out and that the United States would be submerged underwater from a great flood on the morning of December 21, 1955. Her salvation? A spaceman, assumed to be a Clarion, would visit Dorothy and her followers hours before the disaster, whisking them away on a spaceship to safety. This bizarre and radical belief was only strengthened when the calamity never arose. The cult members convinced themselves that the Clarions managed to stop the destruction from happening (Seife 290–91). (Incorrect. In this passage, the writer is paraphrasing an extended example from Seife's article, maintaining the original points and including several details.)
- This type of herd mentality and definition of self convinced people to drink poisoned Kool-Aid. (Incorrect. In this sentence, Festinger derives a conclusion about the cult members based on his contact with Dorothy Martin.)
- In the article, "The Loneliness of the Interconnected," Charles Seife argues that people are becoming more and more isolated in our increasingly interconnected world and, furthermore, that bits and pieces of our delicate mental structure are withered away as we increasingly rely on the internet as our source of information. (Correct. In this passage, the author is summarizing Seife's article, noting just the main points.)
A: In the article, "The Loneliness of the Interconnected," Charles Seife argues that people are becoming more and more isolated in our increasingly interconnected world and, furthermore, that bits and pieces of our delicate mental structure are withered away as we increasingly rely on the internet as our source of information.

Q: Michaela has written the following sentence to summarize an article she read about the danger of online misinformation:

In “Control-F and Building Resilient Information Networks,” Mike Caulfield argues that a simple focus on teaching people to use the Control-F function could improve their ability to verify and resist online misinformation.

Has Michaela created an effective summary sentence?
- No, because the sentence should also explain how Michaela feels about Caulfield’s argument. She should, for example, explain whether she thinks his argument is useful. (Incorrect. The goal of an effective summary is simply to capture, in your own words, the key idea(s) of another’s argument. You can explore how you feel about that argument in subsequent discussion.)
- Yes, because the sentence uses the title and author of the article to signal the beginning of the discussion of his ideas. (Incorrect. While the use of signal language is effective here, it does not help us assess the success of the sentence as a summary. The summary is effective because Michaela has summarized the overall argument, in her own words. The sentence is short and clear, and Michaela hasn’t tried to incorporate her opinions or counterarguments.)
- No, because a summary should be at least a paragraph long. (Incorrect. An effective summary should be short. The idea of a summary is to “boil down” or condense a text to just a few sentences.)
- Yes, because the sentence explains in her own words what the overall argument is in Caulfield’s article. (Correct. Michaela has summarized the overall argument, in her own words. The sentence is short and clear, and Michaela hasn’t tried to incorporate her opinions or counterarguments.)
A: Yes, because the sentence explains in her own words what the overall argument is in Caulfield’s article.

Q: Which of the following is NOT part of the goal in synthesis?
- to discuss the existing conversation on a topic (Incorrect. It IS part of the synthesis process to discuss the existing conversation on a topic.)
- to evaluate your findings to your audience (Incorrect. It IS part of the synthesis process to evaluate your findings to your audience.)
- to frame your purpose and argument around a topic (Incorrect. It IS part of the synthesis process to frame your purpose and argument around a topic.)
- to research other ideas on a topic (Correct. Researching other ideas on a topic is important, but you have moved beyond that part of the process when you enter into synthesis. With synthesis, your goal is to discuss the research you have already conducted and what you’ve found about the existing conversation on a topic.)
A: to research other ideas on a topic

Q: Examine the following passage.

Research indicates that multitasking in class has some surprisingly detrimental effects on student learning. One study, conducted at Massive State College, suggested that students who used their phone for non-class related activities scored one full grade below their peers on exams (Brown). Building on that finding, researchers at Little State College studied the effect of multitasking students on their non-multitasking peers. Interestingly, these non-multitasking students scored even worse on exams, averaging one and a half full grades worse than students in classes where no students were engaged in off-task multitasking (White). Given this research, I would argue that it is in all students’ best interests for faculty to ask students to avoid multitasking during class..

Which of the following phrases in this passage does the work of synthesis?.
- “Interestingly” (Incorrect. This phrase makes a minor comment on the research results of White, and so represents a small but minimal piece of synthesis.)
- “These non-multitasking students scored even worse on exams” (Incorrect. This sentence reflects the findings of the research by White, but it doesn’t do much to synthesize that research with the work of White.)
- “Students who used their phone for non-class related activities scored one full grade below their peers” (Incorrect. This sentence reflects the findings of the research by Brown, without putting that research into conversation with the research by White.)
- “Building on that finding” (Correct. This phrase notes the connection between the two pieces of research presented here and so is critical to the work of synthesis in this passage.)
A: “Building on that finding”

Q: Jacob is researching the effect of student loans on home ownership. One source (Fox) argues that student loans under $10,000 have no effect on home ownership for students 5-10 years out of college. Another researcher (Bear) presents data that indicates that any student loan has a negative overall effect on home ownership. Which of the following sentences represents the most effective way for Jason to synthesize these two sources?
- Student loans may or may not have an effect on home ownership. (Incorrect. This sentence reflects the fact that the two studies offer contrasting results and thus the research is inclusive, but the sentence does not foreground the fact that Jason is offering this idea based on his synthesis of the research he has reviewed.)
- I don’t think student loans have a significant effect on home ownership. (Incorrect. This sentence offers Jason’s personal opinion, but the sentence does not foreground the fact that Jason is offering this idea based on his synthesis of the research he has reviewed.)
- Fox makes a more convincing case than Bear about the consequences for home ownership of student loans. (Incorrect. It’s not clear here why Jason has decided one study is more convincing than the other. Based on the preceding sentences, this conclusion or synthesis of the two studies is not merited. It is fine to offer the reader contrasting and inconclusive research; the writer does not need to reach a definitive conclusion in order to be informed and authoritative on the subject, particularly if the underlying research is inconclusive.)
- Research on the subject of the effect of student loans on home ownership is somewhat inconclusive. (Correct. Here Jason makes clear that he is synthesizing the two studies and noting that they offer contrasting results and thus the research is inconclusive.)
A: Research on the subject of the effect of student loans on home ownership is somewhat inconclusive.

Q: You want to call your mom, a former English professor, and ask her to read through your English essay. Is this an example of academic dishonesty?
- Yes, because all of your work should be your own. (Incorrect. Most writing instructors consider feedback and revision to be a critical part of the writing process and would encourage you to talk with anyone you want to about your writing. If your mother is not a former English professor, you might seek out a peer or the campus writing center for feedback.)
- Yes, because all steps of the writing process should be completed by one person only. (Incorrect. Most writing instructors consider feedback and revision to be a critical part of the writing process and would encourage you to talk with anyone you want to about your writing. If your mother is not a former English professor, you might seek out a peer or the campus writing center for feedback.)
- Yes, because you should only get feedback from a peer. (Incorrect. Most writing instructors consider feedback and revision to be a critical part of the writing process and would encourage you to talk with anyone you want about your writing. Peers can be helpful in providing feedback, but so too can be your mother, your English professor, or the campus writing center.)
- No, because having someone else provide feedback is typically considered an essential step of the writing process. (Correct. Most writing instructors consider feedback and revision to be a critical part of the writing process and would encourage you to talk with anyone you want to about your writing. If your mother is not a former English professor, you might seek out a peer or the campus writing center for feedback.)
A: No, because having someone else provide feedback is typically considered an essential step of the writing process.

Q: Antonia wrote an essay about 9/11 for her English Composition class. She found the subject extremely interesting and wants to continue her research on that topic for her Women’s Studies class, this time focusing on the effects of 9/11 on women. What advice would you give to Antonia?
- No worries, Antonia. Since the first paper reflected your words and ideas, you own the content and can use it for any additional purpose you like. (Incorrect. Antonia should make her Women’s Studies professor aware of her previous work on this subject for English Composition. Her Women’s Studies professor can then decide whether or not Antonia can continue with that research for her Women’s Studies class. If Antonia does not have this conversation, her re-use of previous research and writing could be considered a violation of academic integrity, even though the original paper represented her own writing and ideas.)
- Watch out, Antonia. Reusing a paper for more than one class is automatically a violation of academic integrity. Don’t do it! (Incorrect. Antonia should make her Women’s Studies professor aware of her previous work on this subject for English Composition. Her Women’s Studies professor can then decide whether or not Antonia can continue with that research for her Women’s Studies class. If Antonia does not have this conversation, her re-use of previous research and writing could be considered a violation of academic integrity, even though the original paper represented her own writing and ideas.)
- Think again, Antonia. If you studied 9/11 in English Composition, you should pick a different topic for your essay in Women’s Studies and expand your horizons. (Incorrect. Antonia may have a legitimate desire to continue her research, and there’s no reason she needs to pick a different topic. However, she should make her Women’s Studies professor aware of her previous work on this subject for English Composition. Her Women’s Studies professor can then decide whether or not Antonia can continue with that research for her Women’s Studies class. If Antonia does not have this conversation, her re-use of previous research and writing could be considered a violation of academic integrity, even though the original paper represented her own writing and ideas.)
- Be careful, Antonia. Using the same research and writing for more than one class could be considered a violation of academic integrity. You should speak to the professor for your Women’s Studies class and make sure she is okay with this approach. (Correct. Antonia should make her Women’s Studies professor aware of her previous work on this subject for English Composition. Her Women’s Studies professor can then decide whether or not Antonia can continue with that research for her Women’s Studies class. If Antonia does not have this conversation, her re-use of previous research and writing could be considered a violation of academic integrity, even though the original paper represented her own writing and ideas.)
A: Be careful, Antonia. Using the same research and writing for more than one class could be considered a violation of academic integrity. You should speak to the professor for your Women’s Studies class and make sure she is okay with this approach.

Q: Angelica and Susanna typically work together on the Lumen module quizzes. Is this an example of collaboration or collusion? Have they committed a violation of academic integrity?
- As long as the professor has not said not to, Angelica and Susanna can work together on the module quizzes and will not be violating academic integrity guidelines by doing so. (Incorrect.When in doubt, ask! Working together is collaboration when the professor indicates that this behavior is okay. If the professor does not give explicit permission to work together, then doing so can be considered collusion and a violation of academic integrity.)
- Even if the professor it’s okay to work together on the module quizzes, Angelica and Susanna should do their own work independently. Independent learning is the most effective way to learn and they will never be in danger of violating academic integrity guidelines by working independently. (Incorrect. Working together can be an important part of the learning process! Collaboration is definitely a good idea if and when the professor indicates that this behavior is okay. If the professor does not give explicit permission to work together, then doing so can be considered collusion and a violation of academic integrity. And if you are ever unsure, ask for clarification about what is acceptable!)
- It’s never okay to work together on a quiz. That’s definitely a violation of academic integrity! (Incorrect. Working together can be an important part of the learning process, even on a quiz! Collaboration is definitely a good idea if and when the professor indicates that this behavior is okay. If the professor does not give explicit permission to work together, then doing so can be considered collusion and a violation of academic integrity. And if you are ever unsure, ask for clarification about what is acceptable!)
- Angelica and Susanna can work together and collaborate on the module quizzes, but only if the professor has made clear that this collaboration is acceptable. (Correct.When in doubt, ask! Working together is collaboration when the professor indicates that this behavior is okay. If the professor does not give explicit permission to work together, then doing so can be considered collusion and a violation of academic integrity.)
A: Angelica and Susanna can work together and collaborate on the module quizzes, but only if the professor has made clear that this collaboration is acceptable.

Q: Dallon finds a useful data chart in an online article that’s not on the same topic as his essay, but that fits well as evidence for one of his body paragraphs. He includes the chart in his paper and doesn’t cite it. Is this an example of plagiarism?
- No, because the data in the chart had nothing to do with his topic. (Incorrect. Regardless of the source of the information, the reader of Dallon’s paper needs to understand where Dallon found his source (the data chart) and that’s the purpose of the citation.)
- No, because the data in the chart was widely available and reproduced in a variety of different online sources. (Incorrect. Even if the citation is widely available, someone created it, and credit should be given to that creator. Dallon must use a citation that indicates where he found the data.)
- No, because charts and images can’t be put into quotation marks and don’t require citation. (Incorrect. Even charts and images are the intellectual work of someone and that work deserves to be credited.)
- Yes, because he included evidence (a chart) that wasn’t of his own creation and didn’t cite it. (Correct. A chart or any kind of image created by someone else must be cited.)
A: Yes, because he included evidence (a chart) that wasn’t of his own creation and didn’t cite it.

Q: Laisha has been doing so much reading about her research topic, and her note-taking skills have not always kept pace with her intellectual curiosity. As part of her work, she has discovered a great quotation that she really wants to include in her paper, but she doesn’t remember where she found the quote. Laisha’s intention is not to steal another person's words, so she decides to use the quotation and include the words in quotation marks but leave out the citation. What advice would you give Laisha?
- Laisha can use the quote as long as she puts it in quotation marks. That way, any plagiarism is unintentional and not a big deal. (Incorrect. Laisha needs to find the source for the quotation in order to use it. Alternatively, she might speak to her professor and explain her predicament. A librarian might also be able to help her locate her source. But using the quotation without a citation is plagiarism.)
- Laisha should put the quotation into her own words, since she can’t find the source. Then it won’t be plagiarism. (Incorrect. Laisha needs to find the source for the quotation, even if she wants to use a paraphrase. Alternatively, she might speak to her professor and explain her predicament. A librarian might also be able to help her locate her source. But using the quotation without a citation is plagiarism.)
- Laisha should use a few words of the quotation and paraphrase the rest. Then it won’t be plagiarism. (Incorrect. Laisha needs to find the source for the quotation in order to use it. Alternatively, she might speak to her professor and explain her predicament. A librarian might also be able to help her locate her source. But using the quotation without a citation is plagiarism.)
- Laisha can’t use the quote without a citation. To do so would be plagiarism. (Correct. Laisha needs to find the source for the quotation in order to use it. Alternatively, she might speak to her professor and explain her predicament. A librarian might also be able to help her locate her source. But using the quotation without a citation is plagiarism.)
A: Laisha can’t use the quote without a citation. To do so would be plagiarism.

Q: Kat is writing an essay about the death of Trayvon Martin. As she has researched this event, Kat discovered that Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles when he was shot by George Zimmerman. Does Kat need a reference to a source for that information?
- Yes, because although the fact that Trayvon Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles is undisputed, Kat did not know that fact until she began her research. (Incorrect! Even if you didn’t know a piece of information when you began your research, you don’t need to cite every piece of information you discover. If a piece of information is a basic and undisputed fact, it requires no citation. Just be sure that the information in question is undisputed.)
- Yes, because every piece of information included in a research paper should be sourced. (Incorrect! Can you imagine reading an essay in which you had to have a source for every little fact and bit of information you cite? If a piece of information is a basic and undisputed fact, it requires no citation. Just be sure that the information in question is undisputed.)
- No, because the fact that Treyvon Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles is not particularly important. (Incorrect! The issue here isn’t how important or unimportant the information is. If a piece of information is a basic and undisputed fact, it requires no citation. Just be sure that the information in question is undisputed.)
- No, because the fact that Trayvon Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles is undisputed. (Correct! Even if you didn’t know a piece of information when you began your research, you don’t need to cite every piece of information you discover. If a piece of information is a basic and undisputed fact, it requires no citation. Just be sure that the information in question is undisputed.)
A: No, because the fact that Trayvon Martin was carrying a bag of Skittles is undisputed.

Q: Evaluate these two students’ strategies to avoid plagiarism. Which one is more effective and why?

1. Bryony looks up all the authors she is going to cite to make sure they are credentialled. She also plans on using mostly quotes instead of paraphrases or summaries, since they are easier to check for accuracy.
2. Candice plans to use a reference management website for her note-taking, and she checks with her professor if she’s not sure if a piece of information needs a citation or not.
- Bryony’s system is more effective because it helps find the most expert sources; it also helps her avoid common plagiarism errors that happen when paraphrasing and summarizing. (Incorrect. While it’s a good idea to understand whether your sources are experts, Bryony may find herself in a situation where she wants to quote the misinformation in an unreliable source. This might suit her research or writing purpose. Regardless, a mix of quotation, paraphrase, and summary is ideal for writing. You shouldn’t be afraid to use a range of sources and source references because you are uncertain about how to cite your sources. Ask your professor for help!)
- Bryony’s system is more effective because Candice should not use a reference management website in college-level writing. (Incorrect. Reference management websites are a great tool. Bryony just needs to double check her work carefully for errors!)
- Both systems are equally effective, since strategies to avoid plagiarism are unique to the student. (Incorrect. Bryony seems to lack confidence in her ability to cite paraphrases and summaries. A lack of confidence in your ability to navigate citations can lead to inadvertent plagiarism. Bryony should seek help from her professor!)
- Candice’s system is more effective because it solves the root problems of plagiarism, and it’s always a good decision to ask the professor. (Correct. Careful notes are key to research and can help you avoid common plagiarism errors. And it’s always a good idea to ask your professor!)
A: Candice’s system is more effective because it solves the root problems of plagiarism, and it’s always a good decision to ask the professor.

Q: Sergei copy and pastes a passage from one of his sources into his essay. He does not use quotation marks, but he does provide a citation for the source in his references page at the end of the essay. Is this plagiarism and if so why?
- This is accidental dishonesty but not plagiarism because Sergei was trying to cite the source but didn’t know how to do so correctly. (Incorrect. Whatever Sergei intended, the result is that the reader can’t tell that he didn’t write the passage in question, and it seems as if he is using someone else’s words without appropriate credit. This is the definition of plagiarism!)
- This is academically honest and not plagiarism because Sergei included the source in his references page. (Incorrect. Whatever Sergei intended and even if he includes the source in the references page, the result is that the reader can’t tell that he didn’t write the passage in question, and it seems as if he is using someone else’s words without appropriate credit. This is the definition of plagiarism!)
- This is plagiarism. Sergei should have paraphrased the source if he was going to omit quotation marks. As long as he cites the source in his references page, he is not plagiarizing. (Incorrect. Paraphrasing does not solve the problem! Without a parenthetical citation and quotation marks, the reader can’t tell that Sergei didn’t write the passage in question. Even if he paraphrases, Sergei is using someone else’s words without appropriate credit. This is the definition of plagiarism!)
- This is plagiarism. The reader has no way of knowing that the passage in question comes from the source listed in the references page. (Correct. Whatever Sergei intended, the result is that the reader can’t tell that he didn’t write the passage in question, and it seems as if he is using someone else’s words without appropriate credit. This is the definition of plagiarism!)
A: This is plagiarism. The reader has no way of knowing that the passage in question comes from the source listed in the references page.

Q: As she reads through the research for her essay, Christina notes her ideas about each source. Next, she uses these notes to compose her essay. Why is this strategy potentially problematic?
- Christina should focus exclusively on what the sources say. Her notes shouldn’t include her own thinking and responses to the sources. (Incorrect. There is no reason Christina should exclude her thinking from her notes. She might consider taking notes in different colors, however. That way she can clearly differentiate her thinking, words, and ideas from the words in the sources and from her paraphrases and summaries of the source materials.)
- Christina should focus on quoting key phrases and words from her sources. This is the most valuable way to take notes when reading over research material. (Incorrect. There is no reason Christina should exclude her thinking from her notes. She might consider taking notes in different colors, however. That way she can clearly differentiate her thinking, words, and ideas from the words in the sources and from her paraphrases and summaries of the source materials.)
- Christina should create notes and ideas about the topic on her own, before she consults and is influenced by others’ thoughts and ideas. (Incorrect. There is no reason Christina needs to form her own ideas before considering others’. She might consider taking notes in different colors, however. That way she can clearly differentiate her thinking, words, and ideas from the words in the sources and from her paraphrases and summaries of the source materials.)
- Christina’s ideas about each source are likely to be shaped by words and ideas from the source. It may be easy for her to think that her notes are her own thinking and writing and to omit references to the sources. (Correct. This is why taking notes in different colors can be helpful. That way she can clearly differentiate her thinking, words, and ideas from the words in the sources and from her paraphrases and summaries of the source materials.)
A: Christina’s ideas about each source are likely to be shaped by words and ideas from the source. It may be easy for her to think that her notes are her own thinking and writing and to omit references to the sources.

Q: For his multimedia presentation in his Marketing class, Ed includes background music from his favorite Drake song. He wants to include his presentation in his final portfolio that his group will use to pitch to a company. According to copyright law, can Ed keep the Drake song in his presentation?
- Ed cannot not keep the song in his presentation, even for class, because Drake owns the copyright to the song. (Incorrect. Because of the Fair Use, Ed may be permitted to use some of the music for his in-class presentation, but Drake does own the copyright, and Ed would need permission from Drake in order to share it with a wider audience.)
- As long as Ed purchased the song when he downloaded it, he can use it in his video. (Incorrect. While purchasing the song is a good thing to do, it does not mean that Ed now owns the song. The copyright still belongs to Drake, and Ed would need permission to share it with a wider audience.)
- Drake songs are probably in the Public Domain, so Ed can use the song however he sees fit. (Incorrect. Public Domain applies to things for which a copyright no longer exists. Typically, the copyright protection extends 50-100 years after the creator dies, which is not the case with Drake songs.)
- Because of the Fair Use Doctrine, it is probably okay for Ed to keep the Drake song in his class presentation, but he should not post it to YouTube or any other public space because Drake owns the copyright. (Correct. Drake songs are copyright protected, so in order to use the song in a public-facing way, Ed needs permission from Drake (which usually comes in the form of a payment). Because of Fair Use, it’s often okay to use the copyrighted work for educational purposes. YouTube generally removes presentations that infringe on copyright, so Ed should not use the video outside of the classroom.)
A: Because of the Fair Use Doctrine, it is probably okay for Ed to keep the Drake song in his class presentation, but he should not post it to YouTube or any other public space because Drake owns the copyright.

Q: Debbie wants to use a quotation from Shakespeare (“To be or not to be, that is the question”) in the resume she is using for her job applications. Is this okay?
- No, Debbie should cite the quotation, so that no one thinks she wrote the passage and thinks she plagiarized. (Incorrect. Many quotations from Shakespeare and other common phrases require quotation marks but no citation or source.)
- No, since Shakespeare died a long time ago, the work is in Public Domain but it still can’t be used for commercial purposes. (Incorrect. Shakespeare died a long time ago so his work is in Public Domain and can be used by anyone for any purpose, including public-facing or commercial purposes.)
- No, since Shakespeare owns the copyright, Debbie should not use this quotation in a public-facing document that is designed to help Debbie earn money. (Incorrect. Shakespeare died a long time ago so his work is in Public Domain and can be used by anyone for any purpose.)
- Yes, since the quotation from Shakespeare is well-known, her use of the quotation is fine and requires no citation. (Correct. Many quotations from Shakespeare and other common phrases require quotation marks but no citation or source. And Shakespeare’s work is in Public Domain, so it can be used by anyone for any purpose.)
A: Yes, since the quotation from Shakespeare is well-known, her use of the quotation is fine and requires no citation.

Q: Elise has the following citation in her APA References page:

Claypool, R. (2012, October 5). Flamingo [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://flic.kr/p/dh7axD. CC BY license.:

Why has she included the phrase “CC BY license” in her citation and what does it mean?:
- Elise created this photograph and has used the CC BY license to let others know that she is okay with the use of the image. (Incorrect. Elise did not create this photograph; R. Claypool did.)
- Elise wants to make clear that R. Claypool has given her permission to use the image. (Incorrect. In this case, Claypool has not given Elise that permission. Rather, Claypool has given everyone that permission through the CC BY license.)
- Elise wants to make clear that her use of this image falls under Fair Use. (Incorrect. In this case, everyone can use this photograph through the CC BY license. The permission here goes well beyond Fair Use. R. Claypool created and licensed this photograph for others to share, adapt, and/or use material for commercial purposes without having to ask for permission. Claypool still owns the copyright but proactively decided to let others use their work under certain conditions.)
- R. Claypool created this photography and has used the CC BY license to let others know that they are okay to use the image. (Correct. Elise is making clear that R. Claypool created and licensed this photograph for others to share, adapt, and/or use material for commercial purposes without having to ask for permission. Claypool still owns the copyright but proactively decided to let others use their work under certain conditions.)
A: R. Claypool created this photography and has used the CC BY license to let others know that they are okay to use the image.

Q: What is the main value of citing sources?
- It lengthens your paper, helping you meet length or word number requirements. (Incorrect. The works cited or references pages do not count toward the word count in your paper.)
- It gives you the advantage of keeping track of your sources as you organize and draft your writing. (Incorrect. While it is important to keep track of your sources while writing, the real value of citations are to help other people.)
- It makes you essay look neat and polished. (Incorrect. While citations definitely result in a better paper, the real value of citations are in helping others to find information about your sources.)
- It helps your readers find the information quickly from the sources you cite. (Correct! Citing sources leaves behind a trail of research so that others can find where you pulled information and so that they can investigate further.)
A: It helps your readers find the information quickly from the sources you cite.

Q: Many writers and researchers use MLA documentation because
- it looks professional on the printed page. (Incorrect. While citations definitely result in a better paper, the real value of citations are in helping others to find information about your sources.)
- It means they don’t have to use as many sources to back up their thesis statements. (Incorrect. Writers and researchers still need sources to back up their claims, and MLA documentation adds credibility to those claims, while enabling others to find the original sources.)
- it enables writers to save time by copying and pasting directly from other sources. (Incorrect. You will very rarely copy and paste directly from other sources (only for direct quotes), and documenting sources is not about saving time, but is important for crediting other authors and leaving a trail for other researchers to find your sources.)
- it helps them give proper credit to other authors for their ideas. (Correct! Citing sources gives credit to others and leaves behind a trail of research so that others can find where you pulled information.)
A: it helps them give proper credit to other authors for their ideas.

Q: Denise has the following as a citation in her Works Cited page: https://courses.lumenlearning.com/coreqenglish1/chapter/outcome-writing-ethically-3-3/. What advice would you give her about this citation?
- You don’t need to cite a website. (Incorrect. Every source you use should be cited, so that your reader can find the information you use and assess the credibility of your research.)
- Online sources should not be used in academic writing. They are not legitimate, credible sources for scholarly writing. Denise should focus on peer-reviewed books and articles. (Incorrect. Writers today often use a wide-variety of sources, including online sources. Just be sure you include all the required information (if possible) about an online source so that your reader can find the information you use and assess the credibility of your research.)
- Denise should study the MLA Handbook so that she memorizes the citation format for online sources. (Incorrect. It isn’t necessary to memorize the citation format for every type of source, but Denise should recognize that citing only the URL is never sufficient.)
- Citing only a URL is never sufficient. The reader needs more information about the source to understand the credibility of the source. (Correct. Every source you use should be cited with as much information as you have (including, when possible, the author, title, publication, etc.), so that your reader can find the information you use and assess the credibility of your research.)
A: Citing only a URL is never sufficient. The reader needs more information about the source to understand the credibility of the source.

Q: Which of the following page layout features comply with MLA rules?
- The title, author, and submission information on the first page is single-spaced, but the body of the paper is double-spaced. (Incorrect. Everything in your paper in MLA style is double-spaced.)
- The body of the paper is double-spaced, but the Works Cited page is single-spaced. (Incorrect. Everything in your paper in MLA style is double-spaced.)
- The header should appear on every page except the first page. (Incorrect. The header (top right) goes on every page, including the first page.)
- Everything, including the header, all quotations, and the Works Cited page, is double-spaced. (Correct. Students often make the mistake of single-spacing some elements, but everything should be double-spaced!)
A: Everything, including the header, all quotations, and the Works Cited page, is double-spaced.

Q: Your checklist for MLA layout rules should include
- omitting the Oxford comma (the comma before the last item in a list). (Incorrect. MLA uses the Oxford comma (She brings milk, break, and cheese.))
- making sure all your margins are two inches. (Incorrect. Margins should be 1 inch. And don’t think you can fool your professor into thinking your essay is longer than it is by increasing the size of your margins!)
- single-spacing any block quotations (Incorrect. Everything in your essay, including block quotations, should be double-spaced.)
- double-spacing your heading and Works Cited page. (Correct. Everything in your essay, including the heading and Works Cited page, should be double-spaced.)
A: double-spacing your heading and Works Cited page.

Q: Evaluate the first page of this student’s paper, focusing on MLA document format and page layout.
- This page conforms to all MLA document formatting and page layout rules. (Incorrect. Remind yourself of the format requirements for the header, headings, subheadings, and title.)
- The header should be on the right side of the page; the title should not be bolded. The subheading is correct as is. (Incorrect. The header should be on the right side of the page (Rogers 1), the heading should include the date (12 May 2020), and the title should be in plain text. The subheading (Media) should be on the left margin instead of centered.)
- The subheading should be bolded and indented like a new paragraph (Media), and the header should be on the right side of the page. Also, there should be a separate title page. (Incorrect. The header should be on the right side of the page (Rogers 1), the heading should include the date (12 May 2020), and the title should be in plain text. The subheading (Media) should be on the left margin instead of centered. MLA does not use a separate title page.)
- The header should be on the right side of the page (Rogers 1), the heading should include the date (12 May 2020), and the title should be in plain text. The subheading (Media) should be on the left margin instead of centered. (Correct. Good. Remember, you don’t need to memorize these things. Always double check your format with a guide or model to remind yourself of the format requirements.)
A: The header should be on the right side of the page (Rogers 1), the heading should include the date (12 May 2020), and the title should be in plain text. The subheading (Media) should be on the left margin instead of centered.

Q: Read the following passage from a draft written by your friend, Miguel (written in MLA style). Choose which piece of advice, below, would most help this author improve it. (The paragraph is shown single-spaced in this example).

The solution is to create a standard guideline that is fair to every athlete, but strict enough to eliminate drug abuse. An expert states “The time has come for agencies to develop a published, standardized policy that clearly and fairly defines which athletes meet criteria for psychiatric disorders and what drugs provide psychoactive properties that enhance performance” (Lardon page 3.) Another professional sports commentator also believes that we need more laws. Then the athletes would no longer be able to claim they did not know they were breaking the rules.
- Your in-text citation is correct, but you need one after every sentence that includes a paraphrase or quotation. (Incorrect. Yes, you need a citation after every reference to a quotation or paraphrase, but your citation format is also a problem. Revise as follows: "...enhance performance” (Lardon 3). Add citation after "and more laws" (Source #).)
- You cannot have two different experts cited in the same paragraph. (Incorrect. You can cite several different sources - just be sure you include citations for each one.)
- Revise as follows:An expert states “The time has come for agencies to develop a published, standardized policy that clearly and fairly defines which athletes meet criteria for psychiatric disorders and what drugs provide psychoactive properties that enhance performance” (Lardon 3). (Incorrect. Good but you also need a citation for the reference to the ideas of the professional sports commentator.)
- You have problems with in-text citation format, and one of your sources (another professional sports commentator) is referenced but not cited. (Correct. Revise as follows: "...enhance performance” (Lardon 3). Add citation after "and more laws" (need citation).)
A: You have problems with in-text citation format, and one of your sources (another professional sports commentator) is referenced but not cited.

Q: Your friend Graham included this sentence in the middle of a body paragraph in his research paper (in MLA format). What is the most useful feedback you can give him to help him improve (if improvement is necessary)?

- Early in his career “Buffett started his own investment company, the Buffett Partnership, using $5000 of his own funds and collecting $100,000 from interested friends and family (Brown).”
- The in-text citation does not include a page number, an element which is always necessary. (Incorrect. If the source has no page numbers or is an electronic source without page numbers, no page number is necessary.)
- The period at the end is in the wrong place. It should read: family (Brown.)” (Incorrect. This sounds like the reference to Brown is part of the quotation. No, complete the quote with your quotation mark and then start the citation: family” (Brown).)
- The period at the end is in the wrong place. It should read: family (Brown.).” (Incorrect. This sounds like the reference to Brown is part of the quotation. Complete the quote with your quotation mark and then start the citation: family” (Brown). And no double period - just one!)
- The quotation mark at the end is in the wrong place. It should read: family” (Brown). (Correct. The citation goes after the quotation. Otherwise you might think that the citation was part of the quotation.)
A: The quotation mark at the end is in the wrong place. It should read: family” (Brown).

Q: Halwa is writing an essay about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. See the example below. What advice would you offer Halwa about her format (in MLA)?
- Perfect, Halwa. You have mastered the block quote format! (Incorrect. Not quite! You don’t use quotation marks for a block quote.)
- You have the parenthetical citation wrong, Halwa. It should be - funds” (King). (Incorrect. Not quite! You don’t use quotation marks for a block quote. And the period (or punctuation) in a block quote before the parenthetical citation—funds. (King))
- Good, Halwa, but block quotations should be single-spaced. (Incorrect. Not quite! Everything is double-spaced in an MLA paper, including any block quotation. You also don’t use quotation marks for a block quote.)
- Good, Halwa, but you don’t use quotation marks for a block quote. (Correct. Good job remembering to double-space and to put the parenthetical citation after the punctuation - funds. (King))
A: Good, Halwa, but you don’t use quotation marks for a block quote.

Q: Identify the error in the following MLA citation:

Jay David Bolter and Richard Grusin. Remediation: Understanding New Media. MIT Press, 1999.
- Understanding New Media should be underlined. (Incorrect. According to the most recent MLA style guide, titles of books and periodicals should be italicized.)
- The city of publication should come before the name of the publisher (Cambridge: MIT Press). (Incorrect: MLA no longer includes a city of publication in citations.)
- There is nothing wrong with this citation. (Incorrect. The first element of a citation should be the last name of the first author.)
- The word order of the author's name should be "Bolter, Jay David." (That's correct. Because the works cited page is alphabetical by author last name, the last name should come first in the citation.)
A: The word order of the author's name should be "Bolter, Jay David."

Q: What MLA citation is in the correct order?
- Hudson-Smith, Andrew, Michael Batty, Andrew Crooks, and Richard Milton. Social Science Computer Review, "Mapping for the Masses: Accessing Web 2.0 Through Crowdsourcing," 27, 2009, pp. 524-538. (That's incorrect. The title of an article should always come before the title of a journal.)
- Hudson-Smith, Andrew, Michael Batty, Andrew Crooks, and Richard Milton. (2009). "Mapping for the Masses: Accessing Web 2.0 Through Crowdsourcing." Social Science Computer Review, 27, pp. 524-538. (That's incorrect. The year goes after the author's name(s) in APA style, but in MLA it goes closer to the end of a citation.)
- Hudson-Smith, Andrew, Michael Batty, Andrew Crooks, and Richard Milton. "Mapping for the Masses: Accessing Web 2.0 Through Crowdsourcing." Social Science Computer Review, pp. 524-538, 27, 2009. (That's incorrect. The volume and year of publication goes before the page number.)
- Hudson-Smith, Andrew, Michael Batty, Andrew Crooks, and Richard Milton. "Mapping for the Masses: Accessing Web 2.0 Through Crowdsourcing." Social Science Computer Review, 27, 2009, pp. 524-538. (Correct!)
A: Hudson-Smith, Andrew, Michael Batty, Andrew Crooks, and Richard Milton. "Mapping for the Masses: Accessing Web 2.0 Through Crowdsourcing." Social Science Computer Review, 27, 2009, pp. 524-538.

Q: What is the correct revision of the following incorrect citation in MLA style?

David Beer, Roger Burrows. (Sept. 2007) Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0.: Some Initial Considerations. Vol. 12 "Sociological Research Online," issue 5.
- Beed, David & Roger Burrons." (2007). "Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0: Some Initial Considerations." Sociological Research Online, vol. 12, issue 5, n.p. (That's incorrect. You may be thinking of APA style. MLA style places the date closer to the end of a citation.)
- David Beer & Roger Burrows. "Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0: Some Initial Considerations." Sociological Research Online, vol. 12, issue 5, September 2007, n.p. (That's incorrect. Remember that MLA style citations should be organized alphabetically by author last name.)
- Beer, D. and Burrows, R. "Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0: Some Initial Considerations." Sociological Research Online, vol. 12, issue 5, September 2007, n.p. (That's incorrect. You may be thinking of APA style. MLA uses the authors’ full name - last name, first name.)
- Beer, David and Roger Burrows. "Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0: Some Initial Considerations." Sociological Research Online, vol. 12, issue 5, September 2007. (That's correct!)
A: Beer, David and Roger Burrows. "Sociology and, of, and in Web 2.0: Some Initial Considerations." Sociological Research Online, vol. 12, issue 5, September 2007.

Q: Charlotte has drafted her MLA Works Cited page. What advice would you give her?
- Charlotte’s Works Cited page is perfect, assuming her last name is Bronte. (That's incorrect. Charlotte needs to use a hanging indent for the entry by Robert McMahon. She also should remove the bold from Works Cited.)
- Charlotte should single-space her Works Cited page. (That's incorrect. Everything in an MLA paper, including the Works Cited page, is double-spaced.)
- Wendy should single-space her Works Cited page and use a hanging indent for the entry by Robert McMahon. (That's incorrect. Everything in an MLA paper, including the Works Cited page, is double-spaced. And you are right about the hanging indent (good catch!) but don’t forget to remind Charlotte that the words Works Cited should not be bolded.)
- Charlotte needs to use a hanging indent for the entry by Robert McMahon. She also should remove the bold from Works Cited. (Correct! It’s easy to forget to add the hanging indent if you use a citation generator.)
A: Charlotte needs to use a hanging indent for the entry by Robert McMahon. She also should remove the bold from Works Cited.

Q: Michael has drafted his MLA Works Cited page. What advice would you give him?
- Michael needs to alphabetize his entries. The first should be Coppola, the second should be Herr, the third should be “The Contested Memory.” (Incorrect. In this example, we alphabetize “The Contested Memory” as if the title were “Contested Memory,” ignoring “the.”)
- Michael’s page is perfect as is. (Incorrect. In this example, we need to alphabetize all entries and for “The Contested Memory,” we alphabetize as if the title were “Contested Memory,” ignoring “the.”)
- Michael needs to italicize the title, “The Contested Memory.” (Incorrect. Here the journal title gets italics and quotation marks designate the title of the article.)
- Michael needs to alphabetize his entries. The first should be “The Contested Memory,” the second should be Coppola, the third should be Herr. (Correct! In this example, we alphabetize “The Contested Memory” as if the title were “Contested Memory,” ignoring “the.”)
A: Michael needs to alphabetize his entries. The first should be “The Contested Memory,” the second should be Coppola, the third should be Herr.

Q: Besides the actual entries for each of your sources, what do you need to include on your MLA Works Cited page?
- A header with your first and last name and page number and the title Works Cited, centered, at the top of the page. (Incorrect! Just your last name in the header.)
- A header with your last name and page number and the title Works Cited, centered and bolded, at the top of the page. (Incorrect! No bold for Works Cited.)
- The title Works Cited, centered, at the top of the page. (Incorrect! Don’t forget that every page, including the Works Cited page, needs a header with your last name and the page number.)
- A header with your last name and page number and the title Works Cited, centered, at the top of the page. (Correct! And don’t forget to double space the page.)
A: A header with your last name and page number and the title Works Cited, centered, at the top of the page.

Q: Which of the following list the correct elements of a paper formatted according to APA guidelines?
- Title page, abstract, body, subsections within the body (without headings), tables and figures, references (Incorrect. Oops, you forgot that the subsections require headings.)
- Cover page, abstract, body, subsections within the body (with headings), tables and figures (Incorrect. Oops, you forgot the references page.)
- Cover page, abstract, body, subsections within the body (without headings), tables and figures, conclusion (Incorrect. In APA, the conclusion is part of the body. And don’t forget the references page.)
- Title page, abstract, body, subsections within the body (with headings), tables and figures, references (Correct! Remember, not all instructors will require an abstract, subsections, or tables and figures, but you should always have a title page, body, and references page!)
A: Title page, abstract, body, subsections within the body (with headings), tables and figures, references

Q: Which of the following lists the correct elements and format for a journal article citation in APA style?
- Last name, first initial. (Year of publication). “Title of Publication.” Journal name, Volume #(Issue number), page range, digital object identifier (with hanging indent). (Incorrect! APA does not place the title of an article in quotation marks and uses sentence case (in other words, only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized). Also, the entry should not have a period at the end.)
- Last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of publication in sentence case like this. Journal name, Volume #(Issue number), page range, digital object identifier (with hanging indent) (Incorrect! Remember to use italics for both the journal name and volume number.)
- Last name, first name. (Year of publication). Title of publication in sentence case like this. Journal name, Volume #(Issue number), page range, digital object identifier (with hanging indent) (Incorrect! Remember APA only uses the first initial of the author’s first name.)
- Last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of publication in sentence case like this. Journal name, Volume #(Issue number), page range, digital object identifier (with hanging indent) (Correct! Remember, there may not be an issue number, and you may not always know the digital object identifier.)
A: Last name, first initial. (Year of publication). Title of publication in sentence case like this. Journal name, Volume #(Issue number), page range, digital object identifier (with hanging indent)

Q: Armando has completed two in-text citations in APA style. In the first, he has the following parenthetical citation (Kaplan & Richtel, 2019) and in the second, he has the following parenthetical citation (Williams et al., 2013). What information can the reader ascertain from these citations.
- The first page number is 2019 and the second page number is 2013. (Incorrect! Those numbers reference the dates of publication.)
- The first text was written by Richtel Kaplan. (Incorrect! The two names here reference two different co-authors, Kaplan and Richtel. (Note that APA uses & instead of “and.”))
- The second text was written by Williams in 2013. (Incorrect! The second text was written and published in 2013 by Williams and at least two co-authors.)
- The first text has two authors and the second text has more than two authors. (Correct! The first was written by Kaplan and Richtel (note that APA uses & instead of “and”) and the second was written by Williams and at least two co-authors.)
A: The first text has two authors and the second text has more than two authors.

Q: When asked by your classmate Emma to review her in-text citations, you notice that for an article with three authors she cited the source as “(Peterson & Brands & Polvi, 1995)”. How should this citation change to be correct in APA format?
- (Peterson, Brands & Polvi, 1995) (Incorrect. APA uses et al. for more than two authors.)
- (Brands etc., 1995) (Incorrect. APA uses et al. for more than two authors.)
- (Peterson et al.) (Incorrect. Close, but don’t forget the year of publication!)
- (Peterson et al., 1995) (Correct! This is the correct citation for a work published in 1995 by Peterson and more than one additional author.)
A: (Peterson et al., 1995)

Q: Arzoo has written the following sentence: Guided imagery and relaxation techniques have even been found to “reduce distress and allow the immune system to function more effectively.” Her quotation comes from page 850 from a source named Trakhtenberg, published in 2008. How should she complete her parenthetical citation in APA format?
- Guided imagery and relaxation techniques (Trakhtenberg) have even been found to “reduce distress and allow the immune system to function more effectively” (2008, p. 850). (Incorrect. Because we have a direct quote, the entire citation information should follow the end of that quote.)
- Guided imagery and relaxation techniques have even been found to “reduce distress and allow the immune system to function more effectively” (Trakhtenberg). (Incorrect. For this in-text or narrative citation, we need the name, date of publication, and page number.)
- Guided imagery and relaxation techniques have even been found to “reduce distress and allow the immune system to function more effectively” (Trakhtenberg, 2008, 850). (Incorrect. Remember, for APA, we write p. 850 for a single page or pp. 850-851 for multiple pages.)
- Guided imagery and relaxation techniques have even been found to “reduce distress and allow the immune system to function more effectively” (Trakhtenberg, 2008, p. 850). (Correct. For this in-text or narrative citation, we need the name, date of publication, and page number.)
A: Guided imagery and relaxation techniques have even been found to “reduce distress and allow the immune system to function more effectively” (Trakhtenberg, 2008, p. 850).

Q: Ann has written this sentence: Research suggests that guided imagery and relaxation techniques have been found to reduce distress and allow the immune system to function effectively. This research draws from pages 850-851 from a source named Trakhtenberg, published in 2008. How should Ann include her source in this sentence in APA format?
- Research (Trakhtenberg, 2008) suggests that guided imagery and relaxation techniques have been found to reduce distress and allow the immune system to function effectively (pp. 850-851). (Incorrect. The citation next to the word research doesn’t work since the sentence has not yet introduced the kind or substance of the research to be attributed to Trakhtenberg.)
- Research (Trakhtenberg) suggests that guided imagery and relaxation techniques have been found to reduce distress and allow the immune system to function effectively (2008, pp. 850-851). (Incorrect. The citation next to the word research doesn’t work since the sentence has not yet introduced the kind or substance of the research to be attributed to Trakhtenberg.)
- Research suggests that guided imagery and relaxation techniques have been found to reduce distress and allow the immune system to function effectively (Trakhtenberg, 2008, 850-851). (Incorrect. Close. But remember, APA requires pp. before a reference to multiple page numbers.)
- Research suggests that guided imagery and relaxation techniques have been found to reduce distress and allow the immune system to function effectively (Trakhtenberg, 2008, pp. 850-851). (Correct! Good job.)
A: Research suggests that guided imagery and relaxation techniques have been found to reduce distress and allow the immune system to function effectively (Trakhtenberg, 2008, pp. 850-851).

Q: Which information should be included on an APA References page?
- Every cited source included in your essay, including your personal communications (Incorrect. Personal communications should be cited parenthetically in the body of your essay but don’t appear in your References page.)
- Only cited sources from peer reviewed, scholarly articles (Incorrect. Any source you consult, whether or not it’s peer reviewed, should be in your References page. Personal communications should be cited parenthetically in the body of your essay but don’t appear in your References page.)
- Only cited sources originating from what is considered to be a primary source. (Incorrect. Any source you consult, whether or not it’s a primary source, should be in your References page. Personal communications should be cited parenthetically in the body of your essay but don’t appear in your References page.)
- Every cited source included in your essay, with the exception of personal communications (Correct! Personal communications should be cited parenthetically in the body of your essay but don’t appear in your References page.)
A: Every cited source included in your essay, with the exception of personal communications

Q: Nadia is citing a book edited by Audrey A. Fisch, Esther Schor, and Anne K. Mellor, entitled The Other Mary Shelley, published by Oxford University Press, in 1993. What is the correct APA citation for this title?
- Fisch, A.A., Schor, E., & Mellor, A.K. (1993). The other Mary Shelley. Oxford. (Incorrect. Nadia forgot to indicate in her reference that this is an edited volume.)
- Fisch, A.A., Schor, E., & Mellor, A.K. (Eds.) (1993). The Other Mary Shelley. Oxford. (Incorrect. Don’t forget that titles are in sentence case, so “The” is capitalized and the proper nouns Mary and Shelley are capitalized.)
- Fisch, A.A., et al. (Eds.) (1993). The other Mary Shelley. Oxford. (Incorrect. While we use et al. for more than two authors in parenthetical citations, we write out all the author (last) names for the References page.)
- Fisch, A.A., Schor, E., & Mellor, A.K. (Eds.) (1993). The other Mary Shelley. Oxford. (Correct. Good job!)
A: Fisch, A.A., Schor, E., & Mellor, A.K. (Eds.) (1993). The other Mary Shelley. Oxford.

Q: Does this template contain all the necessary elements for an APA References entry for a webpage?

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of page. Website. http://xxxxx
- No - it shouldn't include the year: Author, A. A. Title of page. Website. http://xxxxx (Incorrect. If the year of publication for the website is available, it should be included.)
- No, it shouldn't include the URL: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of page. Website. (Incorrect. APA does require the inclusion of the URL.)
- It should have a period at the end of the entry: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of page. Website. http://xxxxx. (Incorrect. APA does not require a period at the end of entries with a URL or DOI.)
- Yes. It contains all the necessary elements. (Correct. Good job!)
A: Yes. It contains all the necessary elements.

Q: Which of the following components make up the title page of an APA-style paper?
- The page number, title of the paper, your name, your age, your course name, your instructor’s name, your instructor’s age (Incorrect. We don’t need to know your age!)
- The title of the paper, your name, your affiliation, your course name, your instructor’s name, the date (Incorrect. Make sure the date is the date the essay is due!)
- The title of the paper, your name, your affiliation, your course name, your instructor’s name, your chosen field of study (Incorrect. Don’t forget the due date for your essay!)
- The page number, title of the paper, your name, your affiliation, your course name, your instructor’s name, the due date (Correct! Don’t forget to bold your title!)
A: The page number, title of the paper, your name, your affiliation, your course name, your instructor’s name, the due date

Q: Maria has drafted her title page. Is her format correct?
- Maria needs to unbold her name, unbold the title, and make sure the page number is in the upper right hand corner of the page. (Incorrect. The title should be bolded, but without quotation marks!!)
- This is perfect except that Maria needs to make sure the page number is in the upper right hand corner of the page. (Incorrect. Maria needs to unbold her name and remove the quotation marks around the title.)
- Maria should remove EDU 3170 from the title page. (Incorrect. Maria is indicating the class number along with the title for the course, which is correct.)
- Maria needs to unbold her name, remove the quotation marks around the title, and make sure the page number is in the upper right hand corner of the page. (Correct! Don’t forget, only the title is bolded!)
A: Maria needs to unbold her name, remove the quotation marks around the title, and make sure the page number is in the upper right hand corner of the page.

Q: Maria has drafted her title page (in APA style). Is it correct?
- Maria needs to include her affiliation and the name of the course. (Incorrect. Don’t forget the instructor’s name.)
- Maria needs to include her affiliation and her instructor’s name. (Incorrect. Maria needs to remember the name of the course.)
- Maria needs to bold everything on the title page. That way the information will stand out more. (Incorrect. Maria needs to include her affiliation, the name of the course, and her instructor’s name.)
- Maria needs to include her affiliation, the name of the course, and her instructor’s name. (Correct! Good job!)
A: Maria needs to include her affiliation, the name of the course, and her instructor’s name.