How do you give proper attribution to other thinkers?

1 Why attribution matters

Attribution is the act of identifying and acknowledging the original author or creator of a work that you use or refer to in your own work. Attribution matters for several reasons. First, it shows that you have done your research and that you are aware of the existing literature and debates in your field. Second, it gives recognition and appreciation to the people who have contributed to your knowledge and understanding. Third, it allows your readers to verify and explore the sources and references that you cite, and to learn more about the topic. Fourth, it protects you from legal and ethical issues that may arise from using someone else's work without permission or proper citation.

3 How to format citations

The way you format your citations depends on the style guide or convention that you follow or are required to follow by your publisher, institution, or audience. For example, APA (American Psychological Association) is widely used in the social and behavioral sciences, and it utilizes parenthetical in-text citations with the author's last name and the year of publication, followed by a reference list with full bibliographic details at the end of the document. On the other hand, MLA (Modern Language Association) is popular in the humanities and liberal arts; it incorporates parenthetical in-text citations with the author's last name and page number, followed by a works cited list at the end of the document. Additionally, Chicago (University of Chicago Press) is frequently used in history and other disciplines that use a lot of primary sources; it employs either footnotes or endnotes with a short citation, followed by a bibliography with full bibliographic details at the end. Moreover, Harvard is a generic name for a style that is similar to APA; however, it has some variations and adaptations depending on the discipline and source type. It is essential to check the specific guidelines and examples of your chosen citation style for accuracy and consistency.

4 How to avoid plagiarism and copyright infringement

Plagiarism and copyright infringement are serious offenses that can damage your reputation and credibility, and even lead to legal and disciplinary actions. To avoid these issues, you should always cite your sources correctly and completely, following the appropriate citation style and format. Quotation marks should be used when quoting directly from a source, and you should use your own words and voice when paraphrasing or summarizing from a source. Furthermore, original and creative ideas and arguments should be used when writing or speaking, with evidence and analysis to support them. Additionally, permission or license from the original author or creator is necessary when wanting to use their work or ideas in a way that exceeds fair use or fair dealing exceptions. Finally, it is important to acknowledge and respect the intellectual property rights and moral rights of other authors and creators.

5 How to give credit to your influences

Besides citing your sources, you can also give credit to those who have inspired, influenced, or helped you develop your ideas and perspectives. This could be mentors, teachers, peers, colleagues, friends, family, or anyone else. You can dedicate your work or a part of it to them, mention them in the acknowledgments section, share your work with them and invite them to comment or collaborate on it. You could also give a shout-out or recommendation on social media platforms, thank them personally or publicly for their support and feedback, and refer or link to their work when relevant. Giving credit is a way of expressing gratitude and appreciation, as well as building and strengthening your network and community.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?