In Chapter 51 from The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Handbook 6th Edition, there are some examples of sources that need acknowledgment and sources that don’t. Are there any sources that surprised you on either of the lists? If so, why?

Answer 1

While I don't have direct access to The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Handbook 6th Edition, I can provide some insights based on general writing conventions regarding sources that typically require acknowledgment as well as those that do not.

Sources that often surprise people when they realize they need to be acknowledged include:

1. Common Knowledge: Many writers assume that all general facts or widely known information do not require citation. However, the definition of common knowledge can sometimes be subjective, and it's important to recognize when a fact may not be common to all audiences. For example, while "The Earth orbits the Sun" is common knowledge, specific statistics or historical events may not be.

2. Personal Experiences and Observations: Some may think that their own anecdotes or insights don't need to be acknowledged. However, if these personal experiences include information that is derived from another person's work or ideas (like theories or frameworks), it would still require proper citation.

3. Visual and Multimedia Sources: Writers often underestimate the need to cite images, videos, or other multimedia elements they use in their work. This oversight can occur especially if the source seems readily available online. Acknowledging creators or the original source of such materials is critical.

Conversely, sources that might not require acknowledgment include:

1. Self-Evident Data: Basic arithmetic calculations or universally accepted facts generally do not require citation. For instance, stating that water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen is typically accepted as common knowledge.

2. Your Own Ideas and Analysis: Original thoughts, theories, or analyses based on personal opinions do not need to be cited, as long as they stem from your own reasoning and experience rather than someone else's work.

3. General Conversations or Discussions: Casual, everyday conversations or commonly held beliefs that are part of a general culture might not require citation, unless you are depicting a particular person's distinct idea.

Ultimately, the context in which these sources are used often dictates whether they need acknowledgment. If you find any specific examples that seem unexpected, sharing those could lead to a more focused discussion on why they stood out!