Curriculum fit: GCSE English Language (using evidence and sources); high school and AP research writing. US: Common Core ELA Writing standards (research to build knowledge, grades 9-12).
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What Is It?
Research writing uses evidence from other people's work to support your ideas. It is important to find reliable sources, use them accurately and give credit to the original author.
Plagiarism means presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own. You avoid it by quoting, paraphrasing and citing correctly.
Key Formulas and Ideas
- Quote: copy exact words in quotation marks and cite the source.
- Paraphrase: restate the idea in your own words and still cite the source.
- Summarise: give the main points briefly, in your own words, with a citation.
- Common citation styles: MLA (often used in English and humanities), APA (often used in social sciences) and Harvard (common in UK institutions). Always use the style your teacher or school requires.
Worked Examples
Paraphrase
Paraphrase: 'Sleep strengthens memory by helping the brain organise new information.'
- Understand the idea.
- Change the wording and structure, but keep the meaning.
- Add a citation.
✓ Answer Getting enough sleep helps the brain sort and store what we have recently learned (Author, Year).
Basic Book Entry
Show the general pattern of a book entry in MLA and APA.
- MLA: Author last name, First name. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.
- APA: Author last name, Initial. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.
✓ Answer The two styles order and format the same information differently
Credibility
Which source is more reliable for a history essay: a university press book or an anonymous forum post?
- Check the author's expertise and whether the source is reviewed.
- A university press book is edited and reviewed.
✓ Answer The university press book
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Copying text from a website without quotation marks.
- Changing only a few words and calling it a paraphrase.
- Citing a source without checking that it is reliable.
- Using different citation styles in the same essay.
Practice Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to cite a paraphrase?
Yes. The idea still comes from someone else, so you must credit it.
Which citation style should I use?
Use the style your teacher, school or exam board asks for, and check its latest guidelines.
Keep Going With These Guides
Logical Fallacies and How to Evaluate an Argument
Judge whether an argument is convincing and spot common logical fallacies such as ad hominem, straw man and false dilemma.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAPHow to Embed Quotations in an Essay (With Examples)
Weave short quotations into your sentences and comment on key words, instead of dropping them in, with before-and-after examples.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAPEssay Structure: How to Plan and Write a Clear Essay
Plan an essay step by step, from brainstorming to a strong introduction, well-organised paragraphs and a conclusion that answers the question.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAPSources and Review
- DfE: National curriculum in England, English programmes of study
- Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts and Literacy
Reviewed by StudyMorrow editorial review on 5 Nov 2026.