Should I Cite This? (Purdue OWL)
Flow Chart. Top level: Purdue University, "Should I Cite This?", A visual guide from the Purdue OWL.
Step 1: Is the information, data, or opinion your idea?
- If yes, proceed to step 2.
- If no, proceed to step 3.
Step 2: Have you published the info before?
- If yes, proceed to step 3.
- If no, proceed to step 4.
Step 3: Is the info common knowledge (ie. do at least 5 credible sources have the info without citation)?
- If yes, proceed to step 5.
- If no, proceed to step 6.
Step 4: Don't need to cite!
Step 5: Don't need to cite!
Step 6: Are you copying the source exactly, putting it in your own words sentence by sentence, or reporting a lot of info in a few lines?
- Copying exactly: Cite as a quotation! See our citation guides for more info on how to do this.
- Your own words, line by line: Cite as a paraphrase! See our citation guides for more info on how to do this.
- Your own words, reporting a lot of info in a few lines: Cite as a summary! See our citation guides for more info on how to do this.
For more information about this and other important citation resources, visit Purdue OWL's citation style guides.
