Writing Standards: Gathering and Citing Sources (CCSS.W.6.8)
Help Questions
Common Core 6th Grade ELA › Writing Standards: Gathering and Citing Sources (CCSS.W.6.8)
Student Research Notes (Topic: Sleep and Memory)
- Direct quote: "Deep sleep helps the brain consolidate memories." (Chen, 2021)
- Paraphrase attempt: During deep sleep, the brain consolidates memories. [no citation]
- Paraphrase: Teenagers need 8-10 hours of sleep. (National Health Institute, 2020)
- Source A: Chen, L. "Why Sleep Matters." Health Science Journal, 2021. https://example.org/sleep-matters
- Source B: National Health Institute. "Sleep and Teens." 2020. https://example.gov/teens-sleep
- Source C: SleepyTimesBlog.net, "All-Night Cramming Works!", 2018. No author listed.
Which paraphrase best avoids plagiarism and shows proper citation?
Deep sleep helps the brain consolidate memories. (Chen, 2021)
Teenagers need eight to ten hours of sleep every night.
According to Chen (2021), the brain organizes and strengthens new learning during deep sleep, which supports memory.
During deep sleep, the brain consolidates memories.
Explanation
Choice C uses the writer's own words and credits the idea to Chen (2021). A copies the sentence almost exactly (a quote, not a paraphrase). B makes a claim without a citation. D is too close to the source wording and has no citation.
Student Research Notes (Topic: Volcano Hazards)
- Paraphrase: Big eruptions can send ash clouds hundreds of miles, affecting air travel. (USGS, 2023)
- Direct quote: "Lahars can occur without an eruption." (USGS, 2022)
- Source A: U.S. Geological Survey. "Volcano Hazards Program." 2023. https://example.gov/usgs-volcano
- Source B: Fun4U Wiki: "Volcano Facts," no author, last updated unknown. https://fun4u.wiki/volcano
- Source C: My Travel Diary: "I Hiked a Volcano!" by Cam S., 2017. Personal blog.
- Source D: Global News Daily: "Volcanoes cause more deaths than earthquakes," 2019. No sources linked.
Which source is the most credible for up-to-date scientific information about volcano hazards?
U.S. Geological Survey. "Volcano Hazards Program." 2023.
Fun4U Wiki: "Volcano Facts," no author, unknown date.
My Travel Diary post from 2017.
Global News Daily article with no sources linked.
Explanation
Choice A is a government science agency (USGS) with current information. B is an anonymous, editable page. C is a personal blog. D makes a big claim without citing sources.
Student Research Notes (Topic: Recycling and Energy)
- Direct quote: "Recycling aluminum saves more than 90 percent of the energy needed to make new metal." (Rivera, 2022)
- Paraphrase attempt: Recycling aluminum uses much less energy—more than 90 percent saved—so it should be promoted. [no citation]
- Paraphrase: According to EPA (2023), recycling reduces the amount of trash sent to landfills.
- Personal observation: Our school recycles paper twice a week.
- Source A: Rivera, M. "Recycling Realities." EcoReport Magazine, 2022. https://example.org/ecoreport
- Source B: Environmental Protection Agency. "Recycling Basics." 2023. https://example.gov/epa-recycling
Which note needs a citation to avoid plagiarism?
Our school recycles paper twice a week.
Recycling aluminum saves more than 90 percent of the energy needed to make new metal. (Rivera, 2022)
According to EPA (2023), recycling reduces the amount of trash sent to landfills.
Recycling aluminum uses much less energy—more than 90 percent saved—so it should be promoted.
Explanation
Choice D paraphrases a specific statistic from a source but gives no citation, so it needs one. A is personal observation. B is a properly quoted and cited fact. C includes the source in the sentence.
Student Research Notes (Topic: Bees and Pollination)
- Direct quote: "Many crops rely on pollinators to produce fruits and seeds." (AgriScience Institute, 2021)
- Paraphrase: Some wild bees are effective pollinators even on small farms. (Garcia, 2022)
- Bibliography drafts:
- Garcia, T. "Pollinators on Small Farms." Journal of Field Ecology, 2022. https://example.org/jfe-pollinators
- "All About Bees!!!" BuzzBuzzFans Forum post by BeeLover88, 2019. https://forum.example.com
- "Bees Save the World," no author, date unknown. http://randomsite.biz/bees
- National Agricultural Agency. "Pollination and Food." 2023. https://example.gov/pollination
Which bibliographic entry is the most credible and complete for a basic works-cited list?
All About Bees!!! BuzzBuzzFans Forum post by BeeLover88, 2019. https://forum.example.com
National Agricultural Agency. "Pollination and Food." 2023. https://example.gov/pollination
Bees Save the World, no author, date unknown. http://randomsite.biz/bees
Pollinators on Small Farms. Journal of Field Ecology, 2022. (no author listed)
Explanation
Choice B identifies a reputable government publisher and a recent date with a working URL. A is an online fan forum (not reliable). C lacks author and date. D omits the author, making the entry incomplete.
Student Research Notes (Plastic Pollution) Original source (Lopez, 2022): "Many single-use plastic bags drift into rivers and oceans. Sea animals often mistake the bags for food and can be injured or die." Paraphrase attempt 1: Many single-use plastic bags drift into rivers and oceans, and sea animals mistake them for food and get hurt. [no citation] Paraphrase attempt 2: Sea creatures are sometimes harmed by plastic bags in waterways. (KidsWorld Encyclopedia, 2019) Paraphrase attempt 3: When lightweight plastic bags blow into water, marine animals can swallow them, confusing them with prey; this can be deadly. (Lopez, 2022) Direct quote in notes: Many single-use plastic bags "drift into rivers and oceans" and "are mistaken for food" by wildlife (Lopez, 2022). Bibliography:
- Lopez, Marisol. "Plastic Pollution and Wildlife." Green Earth Journal, 2022. https://www.greenearthjournal.org/plastics
- @EcoWarriorBlog. "Ban All Bags Now!!!" 2018. [opinion blog]
- KidsWorld Encyclopedia. "Plastics." 2019. [user-edited; missing author]
Which paraphrase best avoids plagiarism and cites the source appropriately?
Many single-use plastic bags drift into rivers and oceans, and sea animals mistake them for food and get hurt.
Sea animals often mistake the bags for food and can be injured or die. (Lopez, 2022)
Marine animals may swallow windblown plastic bags after confusing them with prey, which can be fatal. (Lopez, 2022)
Sea creatures are sometimes harmed by plastic bags in waterways. (KidsWorld Encyclopedia, 2019)
Explanation
Choice C significantly rephrases the idea and includes an in-text citation to the original, credible source. A copies the structure and key phrases without a citation (plagiarism). B is a direct quote, not a paraphrase. D cites a weaker, user-edited source and does not tie to the original expert author.
Student Sources on Wildfire Safety (for a report)
- Rivera, Daniela. "Staying Safe Near Wildfires." State Department of Forestry, 2024. https://forestry.state.gov/safety (government site, updated 2024)
- "Wildfire Secrets They Don't Tell You!" BrightBuzz Videos, 2017. [ad-heavy channel; no listed expert]
- Thompson, Lila. "My Summer Near the Fires," personal blog, 2020. [opinion]
- "Wildfire Safety." WikiHelp, 2021. [user-edited; no listed author]
Which source is the most credible for up-to-date wildfire safety guidance?
Rivera, Daniela. "Staying Safe Near Wildfires." State Department of Forestry, 2024. https://forestry.state.gov/safety
Wildfire Secrets They Don't Tell You! BrightBuzz Videos, 2017.
Thompson, Lila. "My Summer Near the Fires," personal blog, 2020.
Wildfire Safety. WikiHelp, 2021.
Explanation
A is a recent government publication with a named author and official URL. B is an older, sensational video with no expert. C is a personal blog (opinion). D is user-edited with no author listed.
Topic: Sleep and school performance Original source (Taylor, 2023, National Sleep Institute): "Most teens need eight to ten hours of sleep each night to perform well at school." Student notes include several attempts (some flawed). Choose the one that correctly uses a direct quote and gives basic bibliographic information.
Which note correctly uses a direct quote and provides basic bibliographic info?
Most teens need eight to ten hours of sleep each night to perform well at school. (Taylor, 2023) — Works Cited: "Sleep and School," 2023.
Most teens need eight to ten hours of sleep each night to perform well at school. — National Sleep Site.
Most teens need 8–10 hours to do well in school, experts say. (National Sleep Institute) — Works Cited: National Sleep Institute.
Most teens need eight to ten hours of sleep each night to perform well at school. (Taylor, 2023) — Works Cited: Taylor, Jordan. "How Much Sleep Do Teens Need?" National Sleep Institute, 2023, https://nationalsleepinstitute.org/teens-sleep.
Explanation
D uses quotation marks around the exact words, includes an in-text citation, and lists a basic works-cited entry with author, title, organization, year, and URL. A uses the exact sentence without quotation marks and has an incomplete works cited. B lacks author and date. C is a paraphrase, not a direct quote, and the citation is incomplete.
Notes on Endangered Sea Turtles
- From WikiWorld: "Sea turtles are threatened by fishing nets and plastic, leading to population declines." [copied sentence; user-edited site]
- From video comments: "I think turtles are fine now." — user123 [unreliable]
- Student draft: Sea turtles are threatened by fishing nets and plastic, which causes their numbers to go down. [too-close to source; no citation]
Which revision best fixes the problems by paraphrasing and citing a credible source?
Sea turtles are threatened by fishing nets and plastic, leading to population declines. (WikiWorld, 2021) — Works Cited: WikiWorld page on sea turtles.
Fishing gear and plastic litter can injure or kill sea turtles, reducing some populations; conservation groups track these risks. (NOAA, 2024) — Works Cited: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Sea Turtle Threats," 2024, https://www.noaa.gov/marine-life/sea-turtle-threats.
Turtles are totally fine now, some people say online. — Works Cited: user123, comment on video, 2020.
Sea turtles are in danger. — Works Cited: Sea Turtle Facts.
Explanation
B paraphrases in new wording, cites a credible .gov source, and provides a basic works-cited entry. A is a word-for-word copy from a user-edited site. C relies on an unreliable comment. D is vague and lacks a real citation.
Student Research Notes: Wolves and Ecosystems
- Direct quote (National Park Service, 2021): "Wolves help keep deer populations in balance, which can allow plants to recover."
- Paraphrase attempt: Wolves help keep deer populations in balance so plants can recover. [too close to source]
- Paraphrase with attribution: According to the National Park Service, when wolves return, deer numbers drop and plant life can rebound.
- Paraphrase (no citation): Wolves change deer behavior and numbers, leading to healthier plants.
- Sources: National Park Service. "Wolves and the Web of Life." nps.gov, 2021. https://www.nps.gov/ (accessed May 2, 2025). WolfFan99's Nature Blog. "Why Wolves Are the Best!" 2018. (personal blog; no author info; no sources)
Which paraphrase best avoids plagiarism and shows where the idea came from?
Wolves help keep deer populations in balance, which can allow plants to recover.
Plants only recover because wolves eat all the deer.
According to a national park article, the return of wolves reduces deer and lets vegetation grow back.
Wolves affect plants.
Explanation
Choice C uses the student's own words and includes clear attribution to a credible source. A copies the source too closely, B is inaccurate, and D is too vague and lacks attribution.
Student Research Notes: Earthquakes
- Direct quote (U.S. Geological Survey, 2023): "Most earthquakes are caused by the sudden release of stress along faults."
- Paraphrase: Earthquakes usually happen when stress built up along faults is suddenly released (USGS, 2023).
- Sources: U.S. Geological Survey. "Earthquake Facts." usgs.gov, 2023. https://www.usgs.gov/ (accessed Apr. 18, 2025). MysticTremor Blog. "Moon Phases Control Earthquakes?" 2016. (author "CrystalSeer"; no sources cited) QuakeCo Equipment Catalog. "Pro Seismometer X1000." 2024. (sales page) AskAnything Forum thread by "QuakeDude" titled "Heard a Weird Hum Before a Quake," 2019.
Which source is the most credible for explaining the causes of earthquakes?
AskAnything forum thread by a user describing personal experiences
U.S. Geological Survey article titled "Earthquake Facts"
QuakeCo sales page for a seismometer
MysticTremor Blog post about moon phases controlling earthquakes
Explanation
The USGS is a reputable government science agency. The forum and blog are not reliable sources, and a sales page is commercial and not designed to explain scientific causes.