Expository Writing

Unit 04

Unit VI: Ethical Considerations:

I. Ensuring original writing (finding credible sources, evaluating information etc.).

II. Proper citation and referencing (American Psychological Association (APA), Modern
Language Association (MLA), or other citation styles).
III. Integrating quotes and evidence (quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing).
IV. Avoiding plagiarism (ethical considerations and best practices).

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Ethical Considerations
Ethical considerations in writing, research, and content creation are
essential to maintaining integrity, credibility, and respect for others' work.
Here are some key ethical guidelines to consider when engaging in writing
and sourcing information:
• Plagiarism
• Accurate Representation of Information
• Citing Sources Appropriately
• Confidentiality and Privacy
• Fair Use of Images and Visual Content
• Conflict of Interest
• Sensitivity to Cultural Differences
 • Transparency in Sources
• Ethical Research Practices
• Avoiding Harmful Content
• Bias in Writing
• Ethical Content Creation for Digital Platforms

Ensuring Original Writing: Finding Credible Sources,

Evaluating Information, and More
When it comes to producing original and high-quality content, especially in
the context of academic writing, journalism, or even business blog posts,
ensuring that your writing is credible, accurate, and trustworthy is crucial.
One of the key elements of creating original writing is sourcing and
evaluating the information you use, as well as ensuring that the final piece
maintains authenticity and avoids plagiarism. Below is an in-depth guide
on how to ensure original writing, with examples and actionable tips.
1. Finding Credible Sources
The first step to ensuring original writing is finding credible sources that
will back up your claims. This is especially important in academic or
journalistic contexts, where the reliability of the information can determine
the authority and integrity of your work.
a. Types of Credible Sources
• Peer-Reviewed Journals: Articles published in academic journals
are generally considered reliable because they undergo a rigorous
review process by experts in the field.
o Example: A medical research paper in The Lancet on the
efficacy of a new drug.
• Books by Experts: Books written by recognized experts or
published by established publishers (like Oxford University Press or
Cambridge University Press) are generally trustworthy.
o Example: A book by a professor of economics explaining fiscal
policies.
 • Government Websites: Websites that belong to government
agencies, such as the U.S. Census Bureau or the World Health
Organization (WHO), provide authoritative data and research.
o Example: The U.S. Census Bureau’s official demographic
statistics for a region.
• Reputable News Outlets: Trusted news outlets (like BBC, The
New York Times, The Guardian, etc.) provide fact-checked and well-
researched information.
o Example: A report from BBC on climate change statistics.
b. How to Find Credible Sources
• Google Scholar: For academic papers and scholarly articles.
• Library Databases: Use your university's library resources or
public library databases to access peer-reviewed journals.
• Official Websites and Reports: Always check the source’s
"About" page to verify the credibility of the website or institution.
Example of Finding Sources:
Suppose you are writing about the impact of artificial intelligence on the job
market. You could start by looking at:
• Articles from Nature or MIT Technology Review for up-to-date
research.
• Government reports, like the U.S. Department of Labor's analysis on
automation and employment.
• Books from experts in the field like The Fourth Industrial Revolution
by Klaus Schwab.
2. Evaluating Information for Accuracy and Credibility
Once you have found sources, it’s crucial to evaluate the information to
make sure it is reliable, up-to-date, and not biased.
a. Fact-Checking
• Cross-check the facts from multiple reputable sources.
 • If one source says a claim but you can’t find it elsewhere, it might not
be credible.
o Example: If a news source claims a new AI system can
completely replace teachers, check for other studies or
government reports supporting this. Look at established
research institutions like MIT, Stanford, or other universities to
confirm.
b. Assessing the Author’s Credibility
• Check the author’s credentials and background. Are they an expert in
the field?
• What qualifications do they have? Have they written other works on
the same subject?
o Example: If you’re reading a study on climate change, the
author should ideally have a background in environmental
science or a related field. Otherwise, the article might not be
credible.
c. Publication Date
• Ensure that the source is recent enough to be relevant to your topic.
Some topics, like technology or medicine, evolve quickly, so outdated
information may mislead readers.
o Example: For a post about COVID-19 treatments, make sure to
use sources from 2023 or 2024 rather than older sources from
2020.
d. Bias Check
• Be cautious of sources with a clear agenda or biased viewpoint. If a
source is heavily promoting a particular product, political stance, or
viewpoint without providing balanced evidence, it may not be
trustworthy.
o Example: A website promoting a specific cryptocurrency might
not be neutral. Look for sources that critically assess both sides
of the argument rather than just promoting one.
Example of Evaluating Information:
Suppose you’re writing a paper on the effects of social media on mental
health. You might come across several articles:
• One article from a well-known university’s psychology department
would be considered highly credible.
• A blog post written by a random person with no qualifications in
psychology might be less reliable.
• A study from a social media platform’s research team could be biased,
as they may have an interest in promoting their product. It’s essential
to cross-reference this with independent academic research.
3. Using Information Correctly (Avoiding Plagiarism)
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or words without
proper acknowledgment. To ensure your writing is original, it’s important
to cite sources properly and paraphrase information when necessary.
a. Citing Sources
• Always provide citations when directly quoting, paraphrasing, or
summarizing someone else’s ideas.
• Use the correct citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.) depending on
your field.
• Example of citation in APA format:
o “AI technology has had a significant impact on various
industries (Smith, 2020).”
b. Paraphrasing Correctly
• When paraphrasing, make sure to rewrite the idea entirely in your
own words.
• Even though you are not quoting directly, you still need to cite the
original source.
o Example: If you find a sentence saying “Artificial intelligence is
replacing workers in many industries,” you could paraphrase it
as “AI technology is progressively taking over jobs in different
sectors.” Remember to cite the source.
c. Using Plagiarism Checkers
• Use tools like Turnitin, Grammarly, or Copyscape to detect any
unintentional plagiarism and ensure originality.
• These tools compare your writing against billions of online
documents to check for similarities.
Example of Proper Use of Sources:
If you are writing a paper on the effects of social media on teenagers’
mental health, you might reference a study from the Journal of
Psychological Research that found social media can cause anxiety in
adolescents. You would write:
• Direct quote: “Studies have shown that social media use
significantly increases anxiety levels among teenagers (Harris, 2021).”
• Paraphrasing: According to Harris (2021), social media usage is
directly linked to heightened anxiety in young people.
4. Ensuring Writing Is Original and Free from Bias
Beyond finding credible sources and properly citing them, it’s essential to
ensure that your writing itself remains original and free from bias.
a. Bringing Your Own Analysis
• While you can use facts from credible sources, it’s important to add
your unique perspective, analysis, and voice to the topic.
• Original writing goes beyond summarizing existing knowledge — it
involves integrating your ideas into the conversation.
b. Objectivity and Balance
• Try to present multiple perspectives and avoid favoring one viewpoint
unless it's supported by evidence. A balanced view adds credibility to
your writing.
o Example: If discussing the benefits and drawbacks of AI,
mention both the positive impacts (improved productivity,
innovation) and the potential downsides (job loss, ethical
concerns).
Example of Writing with Your Own Analysis:
Imagine you are writing about AI in education. Instead of simply citing
research studies on how AI can help teachers, you might analyze the
potential consequences:
• “While AI-driven tools can automate repetitive tasks in classrooms,
they cannot replace the emotional intelligence and personal
connection that human teachers provide. Thus, while AI can
complement education, it should not replace the human element that
is central to learning.”

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Proper citation and referencing (American Psychological

Association (APA), Modern Language Association (MLA),
or other citation styles).
Proper citation and referencing are essential for academic integrity and to
give credit to the original authors of the works you reference in your
writing. There are several citation styles, but the most common ones are
APA (American Psychological Association) and MLA (Modern Language
Association). Here's a basic guide on how to use these citation styles.
1. APA Citation Style (7th Edition)
In-Text Citations
In APA, the in-text citation includes the author’s last name and the
publication year. If quoting directly, a page number should also be
included.
• Paraphrasing:
 o Example: (Smith, 2020)
• Direct Quote:
o Example: (Smith, 2020, p. 23)
Reference List
The reference list includes complete information about each source cited in
the text. Here are some examples:
• Book:
o Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work: Capital letter also
for subtitle. Publisher.
o Example: Smith, J. (2020). Understanding psychology.
Penguin.
• Journal Article:
o Format: Author, A. A. (Year). Title of article. Title of Periodical,
volume number(issue number), pages.
o Example: Johnson, L. M. (2019). Exploring the mind: A
psychological perspective. Journal of Psychology, 56(3), 24-37.
• Website:
o Format: Author, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Title of web page.
Website Name. URL
o Example: Brown, T. (2021, July 5). Understanding climate
change. National Geographic.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/climate-
change
2. MLA Citation Style (9th Edition)
In-Text Citations
In MLA, the in-text citation includes the author's last name and the page
number where the information appears.
• Paraphrasing:
o Example: (Smith 23)
 • Direct Quote:
o Example: (Smith 23)
Works Cited Page
MLA’s "Works Cited" page provides the full reference for sources. Here are
some examples:
• Book:
o Format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. Title of Book.
Publisher, Year of Publication.
o Example: Smith, John. Understanding Psychology. Penguin,
2020.
• Journal Article:
o Format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of Article." Title
of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pp. pages.
o Example: Johnson, Laura M. "Exploring the Mind: A
Psychological Perspective." Journal of Psychology, vol. 56, no.
3, 2019, pp. 24-37.
• Website:
o Format: Author’s Last Name, First Name. "Title of Web Page."
Website Name, Publisher (if different from the website name),
Date of Publication, URL.
o Example: Brown, Tom. "Understanding Climate Change."
National Geographic, 5 July 2021,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/climate-
change.
Other Citation Styles
Chicago/Turabian Style
• This style can be used for a variety of documents, including books,
articles, and websites, and it has two systems: Notes and
Bibliography and Author-Date. Both are used in different
disciplines.
 • Notes and Bibliography is often used in humanities, like history.
• Author-Date is used in sciences and social sciences.
Harvard Style
• Used in many UK and international academic institutions, the
Harvard style requires author-date citation in the text and an
alphabetical reference list at the end.
General Guidelines for All Citation Styles
1. Be Consistent: Whichever citation style you choose, use it
consistently throughout your document.
2. Use Hanging Indentation: In the reference list, each entry should
have a hanging indent, where the second and subsequent lines of a
citation are indented.
3. Multiple Authors: For works with multiple authors, be sure to
follow the specific format of the style guide you are using (e.g., "et al."
in APA for works with more than three authors).
4. Punctuation: Pay attention to punctuation rules. For example, APA
uses a comma after the author’s name, while MLA uses a period.

Integrating quotes and evidence (quoting, paraphrasing,

and summarizing).
Integrating quotes and evidence effectively is a key skill in academic and
professional writing. It helps support your arguments, strengthen your
points, and provide credibility to your claims. Here's a guide on how to quote,
paraphrase, and summarize, along with when and why to use each method:
1. Quoting:
• Definition: Quoting involves directly using someone else's words,
exactly as they appear in the original source.
• When to use:
o When the exact wording is crucial for your argument.
 o When the author is an authority or provides a unique perspective
that you cannot paraphrase without losing meaning.
o When you're analyzing a specific phrase or passage in detail.
• How to integrate: Use quotation marks to indicate direct quotes and
provide proper citation.
Example:
• Quote: "Artificial intelligence will revolutionize the way we live, work,
and communicate" (Smith, 2020).
• Integration: According to Smith (2020), "Artificial intelligence will
revolutionize the way we live, work, and communicate" (p. 56).
2. Paraphrasing:
• Definition: Paraphrasing involves restating someone else's ideas in
your own words, often simplifying or shortening the original text.
• When to use:
o When you want to rephrase the idea to make it clearer or more
concise.
o When the specific wording is not important, but the idea needs
to be conveyed.
• How to integrate: Make sure the paraphrase accurately reflects the
original meaning, but in your own style. Always cite the source.
Example:
• Original: "AI is transforming industries by enabling smarter decision-
making and reducing the need for human labor" (Johnson, 2021).
• Paraphrase: Johnson (2021) explains that AI is reshaping industries
by improving decision-making processes and minimizing human labor
requirements.
3. Summarizing:
• Definition: Summarizing involves condensing a larger section of text
into a shorter, more general overview.
 • When to use:
o When you need to provide a brief overview of a long text or
multiple ideas.
o When you want to highlight the main points or arguments
without going into the details.
• How to integrate: Ensure that the summary accurately captures the
main ideas, and always cite the source.
Example:
• Original: "Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing in various fields,
including healthcare, where it is used for diagnostic purposes, and in
finance, where it is used for automated trading. Additionally, AI is
making strides in transportation, with self-driving cars and drones
becoming increasingly common" (Taylor, 2019).
• Summary: Taylor (2019) notes that AI is advancing in fields such as
healthcare, finance, and transportation, with applications ranging
from diagnostics to self-driving cars.
4. Best Practices for Integrating Quotes, Paraphrases, and
Summaries:
• Balance: Use a mix of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries to keep
your writing engaging and varied.
• Context: Always provide context for the quote, paraphrase, or
summary. Don’t just drop evidence in; explain its significance to your
argument.
• Accuracy: Ensure that quotes, paraphrases, and summaries are
accurate, especially when you're summarizing or paraphrasing.
Misrepresenting someone’s work can weaken your credibility.
• Citation: Always cite your sources properly, whether you’re quoting,
paraphrasing, or summarizing. This adds credibility and gives credit to
the original authors.
5. Example of Integrating All Three Methods:
 • Original Text: "While artificial intelligence has the potential to drive
economic growth, it also poses serious challenges, such as job
displacement and ethical concerns about data privacy and
surveillance" (Adams, 2022).
• Paraphrase: Adams (2022) acknowledges that while AI can stimulate
economic growth, it brings along significant challenges like job loss
and ethical issues related to privacy.
• Summary: In a broader context, AI's impact includes both economic
benefits and serious ethical concerns (Adams, 2022).
• Quote: Adams (2022) states, "AI poses serious challenges, such as job
displacement and ethical concerns about data privacy and
surveillance" (p. 112).
Integrating evidence effectively helps you build a stronger argument, and
mastering the use of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries will enhance the
quality of your writing.

Avoiding plagiarism (ethical considerations and best

practices).
Avoiding plagiarism is crucial not just for maintaining academic and
professional integrity, but also for ensuring that your work reflects original
thought and effort. Here are some ethical considerations and best practices
to follow:
1. Understand What Constitutes Plagiarism
• Direct Copying: Taking someone else's exact words without
attribution.
• Paraphrasing Without Credit: Rewriting someone else's ideas or
research in your own words without citing the original source.
• Self-Plagiarism: Using your own previously published work without
permission or citation, especially in academic settings.
• Improper Citation: Failing to give proper credit to the original
source, even if you paraphrase or summarize the information.
2. Cite Your Sources Properly
• Know Your Citation Style: Whether you use APA, MLA, Chicago,
or any other style, ensure consistency and accuracy. Each style has
specific rules for citing books, articles, websites, and other sources.
• Include In-Text Citations: When you quote or paraphrase someone
else's work, provide a citation in the text. This signals to the reader that
the idea isn't your own.
• Reference List: Always include a comprehensive list of references at
the end of your work, listing all sources you’ve referred to.
3. Use Quotation Marks for Direct Quotes
• When you use someone's exact words, place them within quotation
marks and cite the source. This shows that the words belong to another
author.
4. Paraphrase Effectively
• Understand the Material: Instead of just swapping a few words,
aim to fully comprehend the source and express it in your own unique
way.
• Don't Just Change a Few Words: Paraphrasing involves
rewording the entire idea. Simply replacing some words with
synonyms is still considered plagiarism.
• Still Cite the Source: Even if you paraphrase, credit the original
source to avoid misrepresentation.
5. Use Plagiarism Detection Tools
• Software Tools: Tools like Turnitin, Copyscape, and Grammarly can
help you check your work for potential plagiarism before submitting it.
• Self-Review: Regularly run your content through plagiarism
checkers, especially when using external sources for research.
6. Fair Use and Public Domain
• Fair Use: You can use limited amounts of copyrighted material
without permission for purposes like criticism, commentary, or
parody. However, be careful not to overuse these materials.
 • Public Domain: Materials in the public domain (like older works or
government publications) can be used freely, but ensure you correctly
cite them.
7. Ask for Permission When Needed
• If you want to use an image, figure, or a substantial portion of someone
else’s work, it’s good practice to ask for permission, especially if the
material is not in the public domain.
8. Give Credit to All Contributors
• If you use someone else’s idea or research, ensure they receive credit in
the form of citations. If you are working with co-authors or
collaborators, give due credit to everyone involved in the work.
9. Be Transparent About Sources
• State the Origin of Your Research: Be transparent about where
you found data, quotes, or ideas.
• Incorporate Source Acknowledgements: If applicable,
acknowledge any third-party help in your acknowledgments section.
10. Stay Updated on Plagiarism Policies
• Institutional Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with the plagiarism
policies of your school, university, or workplace. These guidelines often
include the consequences of academic dishonesty.
• Changing Standards: Stay aware of evolving standards and laws
related to intellectual property, especially with the increasing use of
digital media.
11. Develop Your Own Voice
• While research and referencing are essential, developing your own
perspective and voice is equally important. Make sure your work
reflects your unique approach or argument rather than just
summarizing or repeating the ideas of others.
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