sources for stories?

1. 61

   Jennifer Hicksposted 13 years ago

   Hi. I'm new here and writing my first hub. I always cite sources in stories when I don't have first-hand knowlege of a fact, and I wonder what the rules are here for source citations. Are we expected to use them? Should sources be noted in text or at the end of a story? Not clear on how it's usually done.
   Thanks.

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   1. 86

      Marisa Wrightposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Others have given you good advice.
      
      Personally, I never provide links within the text of my Hubs.  They invite readers to click away from my article, and I don't want that.
      
      If I have references to include, I'll add a text capsule or a links capsule at the end of the Hub, under the comments, and title it "Further Reading" or "References".
      
      Bear in mind that you should not be quoting extensively, or even paraphrasing, from other sources to create a Hub - every Hub needs to be your own original work.

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2. 69

   Cagsilposted 13 years ago

   Welcome to HubPages!
   
   It would depend on what you write about. If you are planning on writing about something that is not first-hand knowledge, then everything you say(write) is opinion based and not objective.
   
   If you use supportive documentation to back up what you say(write), then it would be helpful and beneficial to your hubs.

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3. 0

   Website Examinerposted 13 years ago

   I agree with Cagsil. References are used only sparingly on HubPages, but it is a good idea to provide them when quoting someone or when stating specific facts.
   
   Endnotes are impractical, rather put it in paranthesis for immediate consumption like: "I have this from reliable sources (Cagsil, Words of Wisdom, 2010)."

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4. 59

   Fiction Tellerposted 13 years ago

   Jennifer,
   
   Welcome to HubPages.
   
   There's no house style at HubPages.  You can cite any way you want, as long as you follow their linking policies, plus mark the hub as commercial if the link is to a dot com site.

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5. 68

   lrohnerposted 13 years ago

   Jennifer,
   
   Fiction Teller is absolutely 100% correct. You are free to write your hubs however you want, cite whatever you want and place endnotes, footnotes or in-text cites wherever and however you want. There are no style guides or templates here and no requirements other than the few limitations having to do with illegal/pornographic, etc. stuff.
   
   I agree that in-text cites can help to give authority to an article, and you should feel free (but not required) to do that. I wouldn't do more than one every two grafs or so, and just cite it so that it flows with the article:  "The U.S. Census Bureau states that...."
   
   Sounds like you know the drill.
   
   EDITED TO ADD: BTW, welcome to HubPages!

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6. 79

   Shadesbreathposted 13 years ago

   Actually you should always link to one of my hubs.  HubPages hasn't added that to the rules yet, but I believe it's going up soon, so you might as well start doing that now to be safe.
   
   (Welcome to HP )
   
   I cite sources, for what it's worth (MLA), and end notes work fine.  I think they add credibility if your trying to write something you intend to be taken as more than opinion. But the above posts are right, there are no HubPages rules.  Except the thing about linking to mine, but we already covered that.

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   1. 69

      Cagsilposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      smart a$$

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7. 60

   Jane@CMposted 13 years ago

   I agree with Melisa & Ironer - do what works for you, just no copy and no paste from other sources or you will be found
   
   I will note my source always on photos that are not my own.  I'm writing a few recipe hubs right now & the pie crust is from my mom's old cookbook, so I will note the source of that recipe, but I won't link to Betty Crocker lol!
   
   Good luck and welcome to Hubpages!

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8. 86

   DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years ago

   For me, it depends on the article.  For example, in my hub on earthquakes, I did include some outbound links to the USGS for specific 'more detailed information' or to a graphic that I hesitated to copy in deference to copyright rules.
   
   Most people won't click away from the article while they are reading, but will go back after they finish and check the links IF they are even interested in the 'further details.'  Many are not, and will simply read the article at face value.

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   1. 86

      DzyMsLizzyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Ooops..that is to say, I wasn't citing a source, per se--the writing is from my own knowledge from being an amateur geology buff...I merely referenced the USGS site for those who wanted more techincal details than I included in my article....

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