On Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at 03:28 PM, Nancy O'Donnell wrote:
> I am working with several LMS on a plagiarism information brochure for
> teachers in our district. At our last meeting one of the LMS stated
> that an English teacher told her that information that is "common
> knowledge" does not have to be cited, either in a bibliography or with
> an in-text citation. The English teacher used the example of Abraham's
> birthday being on Feb 12th. The teacher stated that because this
> information can be located in five general encyclopedias, it does not
> have to be cited. I think this is a poor example, because for middle
> and high school students this would NOT be "common knowledge". This
> generated quite a discussion. I believe that we are teaching the
> entire research process and students need to cite all their work.
> Also, teachers need to require students to cite their work. Has anyone
> run across this "common knowledge" idea? Please share your opinions
> and I'll post a hit. Thanks so much
I guess it also depends on where you live. Illinois students have had
Lincoln's Birthday as a school holiday for years, and would indeed know
that his birthday is February 12.
This is one reason I have students make a "Works Consulted" list
instead of solely a bibliography of works cited. Then, even if they do
not quote a source directly, because they feel that something is common
knowledge, it gives credit to the source as being in the background of
the writing process. I explain that they would/should never knowingly
use information without giving credit, but if their existing knowledge
was in some way enhanced or clarified by what they read, the author was
credited as having been "consulted"
Gail Smith, Librarian and Tech Facilitator
Edison Regional Gifted Center, Chicago
gsmith@edison.cps.k12.il.us
- - - - - - - - - -
Educators have just declared War on Ignorance.
Where is our $75 billion?
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