Crediting Sources

Citing Sources, Plagiarism, Copyright - I'm confused!

  • Copyright issues have to do with the law.  The misuse of copyrighted material has legal consequences.
  • Plagiarism has to do with using someone's ideas, words, or artistic creations without saying where you got them.  This is theft and can have legal consequences.
  • Citing Sources then is the means of acknowledging from where we obtained the copyrighted materials we used properly. Citing our sources does not make improper use into a proper use.  First we must determine if our use of the material constitutes fair use and if the answer is yes, then it is permissible to use the material AND we must cite the source.
There are a number of factors to consider and methods to use when citing sources.

Citations should be age appropriate.
  • Primary students might list the title of the book or website used.
  • Intermediate students can use citation forms that provide prompts for elements needed in the citation.
  • 5th graders begin to use the MLA Starter citation form in NoodleTools
  • Middle School Students in SCASD use the MLA Junior version of the online citation generator, NoodleTools. 
  • High School students should use the MLA Advanced version of NoodleTools.

The format of the creation will have some impact on the format of the citations.
  • Projects in a printed format, such as a paper or poster or display: citations can be included in print format.
  • Websites: citations can be included on one of the pages.
  • Slide Presentations, such as powerpoint: One screen can hold a brief list or, use a screen shot of the Works Cited list.
  • Video: A brief list can be included at the end as credits with the offer of a full Works Cited list available upon request.
  • For all formats:
    • Students using Citation Forms can turn in the completed forms as a Works Cited list.
    • Students using NoodleTools can share a Works Cited list electronically with the instructor or the list can be printed to be submitted with the final project.
Citations are easy!  Check out these shortcuts!  You can get the details from your building librarian!
  • Books from the library catalog
    • You can make a resource list of the book or books used and at the bottom of the list is an option to create a citation list.
    • NoodleBib creates citations from ISBNs.
  • Articles in the databases (World Book and Britannica) provide a citation that can be copied and pasted.


Last Updated: 10 December 2014