I've got all of this information, now what?........ Check out the information below to see how a passage from a source goes from being a note linked to a works cited card, to the four steps to make it part of your paper.

Passage from source:  “Finally, whenever buying any used vehicle, it pays to have it inspected by an independent mechanic (preferably ASE certified). The cost for this service is usually between $75 and $150 and is well worth every penny.”

Works Cited/Source Card entry:

Peters, Eric.  “Now’s the Time to Buy ‘Used’.”  Consumers’ Research Magazine  1 May 1999.

Four steps:

1) Introduce the info

2) Give the info (summarize in own words OR quote)

3) Cite the info (say where it came from) -parenthetical documentation information

4) Explain the info (in your own words)

Example 1: Summarizing (Yaaaay!)

    In his article about buying used cars, Eric Peters explains that it is a good idea to pay the $75-$150 to get your potential car inspected by an independent mechanic (Peters 1).  I think this is a good idea, because then I could be sure that the car I buy is in good shape and runs well.  Even though it costs extra money, the peace of mind will be worth it.

Example 2: Plagiarizing (Boooooo!)

    In his article about buying used cars, Eric Peters explains that it pays to have your used vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic.  This service usually costs between $75 and $150 and is well worth every penny (Peters 1).  I think this is a good idea, because then I could be sure that the car I buy is in good shape and runs well.  Even though it costs extra money, the peace of mind will be worth it.

Example 3: Quoting (Yaaaaay!)

    In his article about buying used cars, Eric Peters explains that when you buy a used car, “it pays to have it inspected by an independent mechanic (preferably ASE certified). The cost for this service is usually between $75 and $150 and is well worth every penny” (Peters 1).  I think this is a good idea, because then I could be sure that the car I buy is in good shape and runs well.  Even though it costs extra money, the peace of mind will be worth it.

Example 4: Quoting part, but not all (Yaaaaay!)

    In his article about buying used cars, Eric Peters explains that “it pays to have [your used car] inspected by an independent mechanic […] The cost for this service is usually between $75 and $150 and is well worth every penny” (Peters 1).  I think this is a good idea, because then I could be sure that the car I buy is in good shape and runs well.  Even though it costs extra money, the peace of mind will be worth it.

          ****What if there’s no author???  Never fear!  Here’s what to do:****

Works Cited/Source Card entry: (no author)

“Now’s the Time to Buy ‘Used’.”  Consumers’ Research Magazine  1 May 1999.  [Retrieved on eLibrary].

Parenthetical Citation: (no author)

    “The cost for this service is usually between $75 and $150 and is well worth every penny” (Now’s 1). 

Remember: whenever you use info that came from anywhere but your own head, you MUST cite it,

or you will be plagiarizing!!!