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Citations are the basic, pertinent information needed to find the full text of a publication, usually the author name, title of book or journal, date and place of publication.
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You should provide a citation whenever your writing is based on someone else's work.
Summary: When you provide a brief version of what you learned from the source document.
Not everyone who wanders is necessarily lost (Tolkien 182).
Paraphrase: When you restate an idea from the source document using your own words.
In Lord of the Rings, Tolkien speaks about wandering adventurers who may seem lost, but instead are on a personal quest (182).
Quotation: When you use phrases or sentences exactly as they appear in the source document. Note the quotation marks.
J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, “…not all those who wander are lost” (182).
Plagiarism: (Don't do this) Presenting another's words, analysis, interpretation or other creations as your own. Check out the Avoiding Plagiarism guide for more details.
Ideas:
Plagiarized idea: If you take away all other forms of government people will natural create a democracy.
Attributed: According to Thomas Paine, in the absence of any other form of government people would create a democracy.
Quotations:
Plagiarized quote: Thomas Paine said that he offered simple fact, plain arguments and common sense.
Attributed: "I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments and common sense." Thomas Paine, Common Sense
Attributed: Thomas Paine said that he "offered simple fact, plain arguments and common sense."
Paraphrasing:
Original text: "Europe is too thickly planted with kingdoms to be long at peace, and whenever a war breaks out between England and any foreign power, the trade of America goes to ruin, BECAUSE OF HER CONNECTION WITH ENGLAND." (Source, Thomas Paine's Common Sense)
Plagiarism through paraphrase: Because Europe has so many kingdoms when England is at war with one of them American trade is ruined because of her connection with England.
Interpretation:
Plagiarized interpretation: The first modern journalist was Thomas Paine because of the way he used media.
Attributed: According to Katz, Thomas Paine can be considered the first modern journalist because of his effective use of media (print) against a power structure (monarchy). Jon Katz The Age of Paine Wired 3.05 May 1995