Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Pages: 96
•
Trim: 5½ x 8¾
978-1-4422-0569-7 • Paperback • November 2011 • $19.00 • (£14.99)
978-1-4422-0570-3 • eBook • December 2011 • $18.00 • (£13.99)
James P. Davis is associate professor at Denison University, where he teaches English and cultural studies.
The Challenges of Academic Writing in the Age of Misinformation
Questions of Authorship and Authority
Evaluating Sources and Entering the Dialog
Decisions to Make
Plagiarism
Popular Style Manuals
Elements Required in a Citation
When Do You Need to Acknowledge a Source?
Material from Classroom Discussion
Common Knowledge
Using Textbooks as Sources
Using Sources in Class Presentations
When Should You Paraphrase and When Should You Quote?
How Should You Paraphrase Information from a Source?
Selecting Information from Your Source
Giving Credit to Your Source
The Importance of Accuracy in Paraphrasing
How Should You Quote Material from a Source?
How Much to Quote
How to Present a Quotation
How to Show Additions and Deletions in a Quotation
Writing about Literature
How Should You Punctuate Quotations?
Introducing a Quotation
Ending a Quotation
Presenting Quotations within Quotations
Punctuating Titles
Quoting Poetry
Quotation Marks and Other Punctuation
How Should You Select and Cite Electronic and Internet Sources?
Source Reliability: A Sample Topic
Citing Internet Websites
Other Electronic Sources
A Further Note about Style Manuals
Revision Checklist for Quoting and Paraphrasing
Appendix: Internet Resources
Works Cited
Despite its compact size, this volume by Davis (Denison Univ.) offers much information. The first chapter provides an in-depth look at evaluating electronic sources, plagiarism, elements of a citation, and popular style manuals. Chapter 2 discusses various ways one acquires knowledge--from observations, experiences, and class discussions/presentations--and when one needs to credit the source. Other chapters provide guidance in paraphrasing and in citing books, articles, and electronic resources. Also featured is a chapter on how to present quotations and what punctuation to use. The book's appendix lists useful websites that will help with both writing skills and citation formats. The real value of this book is evident in its discussion of the selection of materials to use in writing papers, the evaluation of sources selected for the paper (particularly web sources), and the basic process of writing a paper. This is a good, basic guide for beginning writers. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-level undergraduates and two-year technical program students; general audience.
— Choice Reviews
Academic writing in the Misinformation Age thus presents challenges not previously recognized, and demands extra diligence on the part of authors to find, assess, use and correctly cite sources relevant to their study. The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Writing with Sources offers a thorough and up-to-date discussion of the proper use of sources. ... This compact book is more than just a style guide on the mechanics of citation. In the selection and evaluation of materials to be used in writing, it includes an appendix of online resources relevant to different disciplines. Style manuals for different disciplines are discussed within the text and also in an additional chapter at the conclusion of the book, examining ways in which manuals reflect the values and methods of enquiry related to the discipline to which a specific manual applies. This is an excellent basic guide for beginning undergraduate students, but it is also a refresher for the more experienced writer, including tips which may have been overlooked or forgotten. . . The comprehensive contents listing makes it easy to locate the various sections. This is an essential addition to any academic library aiming to develop competence in its academic writers.
— The Australian Library Journal
This is a useful reference and I especially appreciate the user-friendly organization that will allow writers to easily locate information on quoting and paraphrasing properly. There is much more here than just a style guide. In addition to addressing the mechanics of citation, this book answers questions that beginning writers should be asking, like "when is quoting better than paraphrasing?" and "how trustworthy is this source?"
— Teresa Fishman, Clemson University