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Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication: Citing Sources

Research guide for the study of writing, rhetoric, and communications.

MLA Citation Style Resources

These resources will help you know how to cite in MLA format. 

APA Citation Style Resources

These resources will help you know how to cite in APA format.

Copyright, Public Domain & Fair Use

Before including images, videos, and other works into a project, you must determine if the source is copyrighted. Many works are copyrighted, which means that the owner legally has say over how they are used. Watch the video to learn more about copyright as well as exceptions when copyrighted material can be used without permission from the owner.

Creativity, Copyright, and Fair Use (by Common Sense Education, 2020)

Creative Commons in a Nutshell

With Creative Commons (CC) licenses, creators can choose how others may use their work. CC licensing falls between copyright and public domain. Below are the icons you will see associated with creative commons licensing across various content and how to interpret their meaning.


Attribution :
"This license allows re-users to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, so long as attribution is given to the creator. The license allows for commercial use."

Noncommercial : 
This license allows others to copy, distribute, display, and perform your work — and any derivative works created — but for noncommercial purposes only. You may not charge money or make a profit.

No Derivative Works :
This license allows others to copy, distribute, display, and perform only exact copies of your work. No derivative works are allowed.

Share Alike : 
This license allows others to distribute derivative works only under a license identical to the license that governs your work. If you make something new with content under this license, you have to share your new content with the same permission for others to use.

Creativity, Copyright, and Fair Use (by Common Sense Education, 2020)

Is Your Use Fair Use?