When you write a paper or create a project, you often use and build upon information that other people have researched and compiled and ideas that others have developed. If you incorporate or refer to others' theories, words, ideas or concepts in your paper, you must document each one using a citation. In addition, you must likewise acknowledge the use of facts and statistics that another has compiled.
You need to document:
You do not need to document:
Sometimes it can be difficult to be sure what counts as common knowledge, especially when writing in a discipline that's new to you. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if a knowledgeable reader would be familiar with the information in question. If he or she would have to look it up to confirm it, you should usually document it. If you're not sure, document it to play it safe.
