What would be a reason for not citing a reference?
Answer
Thank you for the question about sources not cited.
- In general, be sure to cite another writer's ideas, words, or images.
- To avoid plagiarism, use caution and cite anything in the paper that was not created by you.
Here are some sources that are not cited, or cited in-text and not on the References Page.
1. The only thing to not cite in some capacity (either in-text or on the References page) is called Common Knowledge.
- Common knowledge is a fact that most everyone knows such as Abraham Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg Address, Anne Frank hid from the Nazis in an attic, or photosynthesis is how plants convert sunlight into energy.
- These are facts, not opinions, that most people are aware of, so you do not have to research these facts in order to mention them in your paper.
- If concerned that the facts may not be common knowledge, look them up and then cite them.
2. Personal Communication: APA considers personal communication as not recoverable data, so it does not belong on the References page and should be cited in-text only.
- Examples are: e-mails, personal interviews, phone conversations, and so on.
- If using some form of personal communication in the paper, then cite it with the initials and last name of the communicator, and give a date.
- Example: In the interview, J.D. Smith (personal communication, July 31, 2020) recommended...
Visit the APA Help guide for more examples.