Cite Accurately and Avoid Plagiarism: Choose the Right Citation Style

Cite Accurately And Avoid Plagiarism: Choose The Right Citation Style

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Citing the Declaration of Independence ensures accuracy and credibility in scholarly writing. Choose the appropriate citation style for your discipline: Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), MLA Style, or APA Style. CMS provides formatting guidelines for print, electronic, and online sources. MLA includes a standard format and in-text citation. APA uses parenthetical references and reference list entries. Adhere to the specific formatting conventions to maintain consistency and avoid plagiarism.

  • Explain the importance of citing the Declaration of Independence in scholarly writing.
  • Introduce the three primary citation styles: Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), MLA Style, and APA Style.

Citing the Declaration of Independence: A Guide to Scholarly Accuracy

In the realm of scholarly writing, citing sources is the cornerstone of credibility and academic integrity. Among the pivotal documents that warrant careful citation is the Declaration of Independence. This seminal text serves as a cornerstone of American history and jurisprudence, and its inclusion in scholarly works is essential for establishing the veracity of arguments and supporting claims.

There are three primary citation styles commonly used in scholarly writing: the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), MLA Style, and APA Style. Each style has its own specific formatting guidelines, ensuring that the Declaration of Independence is cited accurately and consistently throughout the text.

Citing the Declaration of Independence in Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

When crafting a research paper or scholarly work, it’s imperative to meticulously cite sources to ensure authenticity and bolster your arguments. Nestled within these sources is the iconic Declaration of Independence, a cornerstone of American history. Citing this pivotal document requires adherence to the Chicago Manual of Style (CMS), a widely recognized style guide, to maintain accuracy and consistency.

Formatting Guidelines for Print or Electronic Sources

When referencing the Declaration of Independence from a printed or electronic source, meticulously follow these CMS formatting guidelines:

  • Long Quotation: If you include a direct quotation longer than 100 words, indent the entire block of text 10 spaces (or 5 tabs) and omit quotation marks. Begin the first line flush with the left margin and indent all subsequent lines 5 spaces.

  • Short Quotation: For shorter quotations, place quotation marks around the text and incorporate them into your sentence. Provide the page number in parentheses immediately after the closing quotation mark.

  • Parenthetical Citation: Within the text, include a parenthetical citation with the document’s author, publication date, and page number(s). For example: (Declaration of Independence, 1776, 1-2).

  • Reference List Entry: Create a reference list entry for the Declaration of Independence at the end of your paper. The format should be as follows:

Declaration of Independence. 1776. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

Formatting Guidelines for Online Sources

When citing the Declaration of Independence from an online source, follow these slightly modified guidelines:

  • Parenthetical Citation: Include the author (if available), date of publication (if available), and URL or DOI (Digital Object Identifier) within the text. Example: (Declaration of Independence, n.d., https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript).

  • Reference List Entry: The reference list entry should include the author (if available), date of publication (if available), title of the document (italicized), URL or DOI, and access date. Example:

Declaration of Independence. n.d. The Declaration of Independence. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript. Accessed August 12, 2023.

MLA Style: Citing the Declaration of Independence with Ease

In the scholarly realm, citing historical documents like the Declaration of Independence (1776) is crucial to establish your research’s credibility and accuracy. For MLA Style, a widely used citation method in the humanities, the formatting guidelines for citing the Declaration of Independence are straightforward.

Standard Format for Print Sources:

When referencing the Declaration of Independence from a print source, follow this standard format:

Title of the Document. Publisher, Year of Publication.

For example:

Declaration of Independence. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1993.

In-Text Citations:

In your text, use the short title “Declaration of Independence” when citing the document. For instance:

"The Declaration of Independence proclaims that all men are created equal" (Declaration of Independence).

Additional Notes:

  • If the Declaration of Independence is cited more than once, use a shortened title after the first citation, such as “Declaration” or “DOI.”
  • If no publication date is available, use “n.d.” (no date) in the format.
  • In electronic sources, the title of the Declaration of Independence should be enclosed in quotation marks, followed by the website name and date of access.
  • For online sources, include the paragraph (para.) or section number as necessary, separated by a period from the page number.

By adhering to these MLA Style guidelines, you can seamlessly incorporate the Declaration of Independence into your research while maintaining its historical significance and scholarly integrity.

APA Style: Citing the Declaration of Independence

When referencing the Declaration of Independence in your research using APA Style, it’s crucial to follow specific formatting guidelines to ensure consistency and credibility.

Parenthetical Reference

In the text, use the following format:

  • (Declaration of Independence, 1776, para. 1)

  • Declaration of Independence is italicized.

  • The year of publication is in parentheses.
  • The specific paragraph being cited is in parentheses.

Reference List Entry

For the reference list, follow this format:

  • Declaration of Independence. (1776). In The Charters of Freedom. National Archives and Records Administration. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

  • The title should be italicized.

  • Include the year of publication in parentheses.
  • The phrase “In The Charters of Freedom” is italicized.
  • Provide the institutional publisher or website name: National Archives and Records Administration.
  • The URL should be in italics.

Example

Consider this in-text citation:

Jefferson argues that “all men are created equal” (Declaration of Independence, 1776, para. 1).

In the reference list, it would appear as:

Declaration of Independence. (1776). In The Charters of Freedom. National Archives and Records Administration. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

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