Integrating Sources

The integrating sources article gives rules forusing sources in our writting; how to do it properly, and how not to misuse them.
The first section gives three basic principle in using sources that basically explain how to distiguish your own writting from that of the source. Making sure that your own argument is clearly separated from the words of the source and at the same time making sure you relate the words you are siting to your argument.
The second section gives direction of how to use direct quotes in your paper. The author instructs that you should only use direct quotes when the exact words of the source are pertinent to your paper. The article also suggests that it is important to introduce the qote properly by constructing your own writting in a way that will flow into the words of the source. This section also outlines the gramatical rules of quoting a source, such as where to put punctuation in relation to the quote.
The next section gives instruction on how to use "qote blocks" this is something used when the length of a direct quote exceeds five lines. It is also helpful to use a quote block when the language or wording of the quote is the thing going to be discussed. This section gives technique intruction as well as commentart instruction on how to integrate a quote block into your paper.
The next section is about discursive notes, or information from a source that isn't necesary to your argument, but worth including for clarification or interest's sake.
The paper then moves onto another chapter about citing specific sources. The first section is about when to site a source. This is neccesary whenever you quote directly another person's work, but also whenever you paraphrase, or otherwise use information, ideas or data from another writer.
The next section then aswers the question: When is it not neccesary to cite a source? The answer to that is threefold. First, if you've already cited the source earlier in the paragraph or sentence and it is clear where you are getting the information. Second, when you are using words, phrases, or information that are common knowledge, or have become a part of everyday speech. Last, it is not neccesary to cite a source when that source is a conversation with a contemporary rather than a written piece.
The next section details ways to cite a source in your writting. You can do this with foot notes or in text. It is important to know which way is expected and how to do it properly. This section explains how to do both.
The last section in this chapter explains that when you are drawing from knowledge of others, even when it is not a specific citation, it is good to make an endnote giving "acknowledgement" to the person who gave you the info or helped you reach the conclution. The proper way to do this is explained in this section.
Chapter three speaks of the misuse of sources or plagerism, in fact the first section is all about plagerism. It explains that anytime you use the information given by another writter whether paraphrased or quoted, without giving credit to the original author it is considered plagerism. Plagerism is taken very seriously; it is a way of lying cheating and being very dishonest. The author suggests that you are very careful to avoid this problem and always take care to seperate your own work from a source clearly, as well as always giving credit where credit is due.
The next section explains that there are other ways of misusing sources other than plagerism that are just as dangerous. These include: misinterpreting the source or misrepresenting data, collaborating with other students on assignments and handing in identical work, using the same piece of your own writting for two different assignments, and knowingly helping another person plagerize.
The next section discusses the special circumstances of electronic sources. Since they are so common now, it is important to understand how to use them properly and safely to avoid any of the dangerous situation discussed earlier. The author suggest you take special care when researching on the internet or electronic databases.
The last two section explain the disiplinary action that may be taken when sources are misused, as well as some suggestions about how to avoid these perils. The author gives lots of ideas on how to ensure that you use sources properly, that can all fall under careful planning, good understanding, and overall honesty.
The last chapter goes into great detail about intext citation rules as well as listing sources in a bibliography style at the end of a paper. Both sections give many examples for all kinds of sources and special cases in both MLA and APA format. The rules are numerous and it is important that you do it correctly. It is a good idea to check with souces such as this paper when sighting sources in your paper to ensure you are doing it correctly.