Citing Sources in a History Essay



Crediting Sources in a History Essay

In history essays, sources are credited in a broad, general way and a specific, detailed way

Broadly Credit Sources by including a Works Cited page at the end of the essay

o show reader where information came from

o give credit to historians who have written on the topic

o use NoodleTools to be sure information is presented in proper format

Specifically Credit Sources by citing sources within the essay to support your claims

o Direct quotations are used when…

▪ Quoting from a primary source because your claim is based on the specific words used by people from the time period

▪ Using specific interpretation or analysis that is unique to the historian whose work you read

▪ Using an especially memorable or compelling phrase from a source

▪ Unlike an English essay, evidence in a history essay does not have to be a direct quotation

o Paraphrased information is cited when…

▪ Using evidence that includes highly specific details such as statistics, a particularly detailed description of people, places or events

▪ Using evidence that differs from information you read in another source (cite only the source you are using)

o Do NOT cite the source when…

▪ similar information is found in multiple sources. This is called common knowledge.

o The way to cite sources in the text:

▪ Use quotation marks only for direct quotes

One of his advisors said Shi Huangdi had “the heart of a tiger or a wolf” (Paludan 16).

when you use paraphrased information, you do not need quotation marks

▪ Both direct quotes and paraphrased information should be embedded just as they would in an English essay

▪ Put first word or phrase of Works Cited entry in parentheses (followed by page number if it’s a printed source)

▪ Punctuation (comma, period) goes after the parentheses

Highways were 300 feet wide with pine trees planted on the side (“Quin Shi Huang-Di”).

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