Inquiry and Research: Using Academic Citations Ethically (TEKS.ELA.8.12.I)
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Texas 8th Grade ELA › Inquiry and Research: Using Academic Citations Ethically (TEKS.ELA.8.12.I)
Four students attempted to cite the same book about Texas history. Choose the citation that most completely and accurately follows standard academic (MLA-style) format.
Which citation is best?
Garza, Maria E. Rivers of Texas: A Cultural History. Lone Star Press, 2021.
Garza, Maria E. Rivers of Texas: A Cultural History. 2021.
Maria E. Garza. 2021. Rivers of Texas: A Cultural History. Austin: Lone Star Press.
Garza, Maria E. Rivers of Texas: A Cultural History. Lone Star Press, 2012.
Explanation
A includes author, title, publisher, and year in the correct MLA order and punctuation. B omits the publisher. C uses the wrong order and unnecessary city information. D looks well-formatted but gives an incorrect year, which is unethical and prevents accurate source verification.
Four students tried to cite the same Texas Parks and Wildlife web page. Select the most complete and accurate MLA-style citation.
Which citation is best?
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Whooping Crane Migration." Texas Parks and Wildlife, https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlife/whooping-cranes. Accessed 3 May 2024.
Whooping Crane Migration. 15 Nov. 2023. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Texas Parks and Wildlife. https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlife/whooping-cranes.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Whooping Crane Migration." Texas Parks and Wildlife, 15 Nov. 2023, https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlife/whooping-cranes.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Whooping Cranes Migration." Texas Parks and Wildlife, 15 Nov. 2023, https://tpwd.texas.gov/wildlife/whooping-crane.
Explanation
C includes the organization author, page title, site name, publication date, and stable URL in correct order. A lacks the publication date (only an access date). B's elements are out of order and punctuation is incorrect. D appears well-formatted but contains factual errors in the title and URL, which is misleading.
Four students attempted to cite the same academic journal article accessed online (with a DOI). Pick the citation that best follows MLA style and is factually accurate.
Which citation is best?
Chen, L. R.; Reyes, M. O. Soil Microbes and Native Grass Recovery in Restored Prairies. Ecology and Restoration Studies 14(2), 145–168 (2022). doi:10.5555/ers.14.2.145.
Chen, Lila R., and Martin O. Reyes. "Soil Microbes and Native Grass Recovery in Restored Prairies." Ecology and Restoration Studies, vol. 14, no. 2, 2022, pp. 145-168, https://doi.org/10.5555/ers.14.2.145.
Soil Microbes and Native Grass Recovery in Restored Prairies. Chen, Lila R. and Martin O. Reyes. Ecology and Restoration Studies. 2022. https://doi.org/10.5555/ers.14.2.145.
Chen, Lila R., and Martin O. Reyes. "Soil Microbes and Native Grass Recovery in Restored Prairies." Ecology and Restoration Studies, vol. 12, no. 2, 2020, pp. 145-168, https://doi.org/10.5555/ers.14.2.145.
Explanation
B properly lists authors, article title in quotes, journal title, volume, issue, year, page range, and DOI link. A uses non-MLA punctuation and lacks quotation marks. C is missing volume, issue, and pages. D looks formatted but changes key facts (volume and year), which is inaccurate and unethical.
Four students cited the same streaming documentary video. Choose the citation that most completely and accurately follows MLA style.
Which citation is best?
Planet Ocean: Coasts and Communities. EduStream, https://edustream.example.com/watch/po-coasts. Accessed 5 Apr. 2024.
Jamie Patel. Planet Ocean: Coasts and Communities. 2020. EduStream Originals. https://edustream.example.com/watch/po-coasts.
Planet Ocean: Coasts and Communities. EduStream Originals, 2010, https://edustream.example.com/watch/po-coasts.
Planet Ocean: Coasts and Communities. Directed by Jamie Patel, EduStream Originals, 2020, https://edustream.example.com/watch/po-coasts.
Explanation
D includes the film title, the director, the publisher/distributor, the year, and the URL in the correct order. A omits the director and year. B is out of order and fails to indicate the director's role. C omits the director and gives the wrong year, which misleads readers.
Below are four attempts to cite the same book in MLA style: A) Lone Star Waters: A History of Texas Rivers. Lopez, Maria. Austin Press, 2018. B) Lopez, Maria. Lone Star Waters: A History of Texas Rivers. Austin Press, 2018. C) Lopez, Maria. Lone Star Water: A History of Texas River. Austin Press, 2008. D) Lopez, Maria. Lone Star Waters: A History of Texas Rivers. 2018.
Which citation most completely and accurately follows standard academic format for a book?
A
B
C
D
Explanation
B correctly lists author (last, first), full title, publisher, and year in proper order. A puts the title first, D omits the publisher, and C includes factual errors (incorrect title and year). Complete and accurate information helps readers locate and verify the source.
Below are four attempts to cite the same academic journal article in MLA style (about Gulf of Mexico coastal erosion, relevant to Texas): A) Jordan, Alex. "Coastal Erosion along the Gulf of Mexico." Journal of Coastal Studies, 2020. B) "Coastal Erosion along the Gulf of Mexico," Alex Jordan, Journal of Coastal Studies 12(3) 2020: 145-162. https://doi.org/10.1234/jcs.2020.12.3.9. C) Jordan, Alex. "Coastal Erosion along the Gulf of Mexico." Journal of Coastal Studies, vol. 21, no. 3, 2010, pp. 145-162. https://doi.org/10.1234/jcs.2020.12.3.9. D) Jordan, Alex. "Coastal Erosion along the Gulf of Mexico." Journal of Coastal Studies, vol. 12, no. 3, 2020, pp. 145-162. https://doi.org/10.1234/jcs.2020.12.3.9.
Which citation is the most complete and correctly formatted for an academic journal article?
A
B
C
D
Explanation
D includes all key elements in MLA order: author, article title in quotes, journal title, volume, issue, year, page range, and DOI. A is missing volume/issue/pages, B uses incorrect order and punctuation, and C has factual errors (wrong volume/year). Accurate details and format allow readers to find and verify the article.
Below are four attempts to cite the same web page in MLA style: A) "Hurricane Basics." National Weather Service, 5 May 2023, https://www.weather.gov/education/hurricane. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024. B) National Weather Service. "Hurricane Basics." https://www.weather.gov/education/hurricane. 2023 May 5. Accessed 9-10-24. C) "Hurricane Basics." National Weather Service Official Homepage, NOAA.gov, www.weather.gov/education/hurricane, USA. D) "Hurricanes Basics." National Weather Service, 5 May 2020, https://www.weather.gov/education/hurricane. Accessed 10 Sept. 2024.
Which citation follows MLA web citation format most completely and accurately?
A
B
C
D
Explanation
A gives the page title, site name, publication date, stable URL, and access date in MLA order. B uses non-MLA date and order, C includes unnecessary items while omitting required dates, and D contains a factual error (title misspelled and wrong year). Accurate, complete citations guide readers to the exact page.
Below are four attempts to cite the same online video in MLA style: A) ScienceExplained. "Mapping the Night Sky: Constellations for Beginners." YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234. B) "Mapping the Night Sky: Constellations for Beginners." ScienceExplained. 2022 March 14. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234. C) ScienceExplained. "Mapping the Night Sky: Constellations for Beginners." YouTube, 14 Mar. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234. D) ScienceExplained. "Mapping the Night Sky: Constellations for Beginners." Vimeo, 14 Mar. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234.
Which revision best improves the incomplete/incorrect citations to follow MLA format for an online video?
A
B
C
D
Explanation
C correctly lists the creator (channel), video title in quotes, platform, full date, and URL. A is missing the date, B uses the wrong order and date format, and D lists the wrong platform. Proper, accurate details help others find and verify the exact video.