Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Writing with Sources

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 MisinformationQuestions of Authorship and AuthorityEvaluating Sources and Entering the DialogDecisions to MakePlagiarismPopular Style ManualsElements Required in a CitationWhen Do You Need to Acknowledge a Source?Material from Classroom DiscussionCommon KnowledgeUsing Textbooks as SourcesUsing Sources in Class PresentationsWhen Should You Paraphrase and When Should You Quote?How Should You Paraphrase Information from a Source?Selecting Information from Your SourceGiving Credit to Your SourceThe Importance of Accuracy in ParaphrasingHow Should You Quote Material from a Source?How Much to QuoteHow to Present a QuotationHow to Show Additions and Deletions in a QuotationWriting about LiteratureHow Should You Punctuate Quotations?Introducing a QuotationEnding a QuotationPresenting Quotations within QuotationsPunctuating TitlesQuoting PoetryQuotation Marks and Other PunctuationHow Should You Select and Cite Electronic and Internet Sources?Source Reliability: A Sample TopicCiting Internet WebsitesOther Electronic SourcesA Further Note about Style ManualsRevision Checklist for Quoting and ParaphrasingAppendix: Internet ResourcesWorks 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.