What should I do if a website lists "History.com Editors" as the author of an article on the site? | MLA Style Center (2024)

What should I do if a website lists “History.com Editors” as the author of an article on the site?

It is not wrong to list the author exactly as it appears in the source. Thus, you may list “History.com Editors” in the “Author” slot in your entry.

Note that sinceHistory.com refers to a website title, you should italicize it even though it is not italicized as part of the author’s name on the site.

For a related situation, read our post on treating “The Editors ofBritannica”as an encyclopedia’s author.

What should I do if a website lists "History.com Editors" as the author of an article on the site? | MLA Style Center (2024)

FAQs

How do I cite an article from history com? ›

Material from History.com contains source information at the end of each article or hyperlinked from specific facts within each article. You should credit this source, as well as the History.com web site, in accordance with the style manual of your choosing.

Are the history com editors credible? ›

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team.

What do you do if your source does not identify an author what if it doesn't include a date? ›

If there is no author, the article title comes first. If there is no date, use the abbreviation n.d. It is no longer necessary to include the date of retrieval.

What should you do when there's no author listed on your source but you need to create an in-text citation? ›

If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title of the source you are citing instead. Do not use "Anonymous" as the author's name. Use the first one, two, or three main words from the title, in either italics or in "quotation marks" (the same way it is written in your Works Cited list).

How do I cite history com editors? ›

The MLA Style Center

Thus, you may list “History.com Editors” in the “Author” slot in your entry. Note that since History.com refers to a website title, you should italicize it even though it is not italicized as part of the author's name on the site.

Does history com count as an academic source? ›

Web Resources to Avoid

A good rule of thumb is to avoid the following web pages and types of web pages: Wikipedia (This page can be edited by anyone and all information should be considered false until proven otherwise.) history.com (This page is created by television producers and not professional historians.

What is the most trusted history website? ›

The National Archives and Records Administration is the nation's record keeper. This site contains a variety of records and historical documents and even has online exhibits.

What is the most reliable website for history? ›

Websites for Historians
  • American Historical Association: The Professional Association for All Historians.
  • Center for History and New Media: Guide to History Departments Around the World.
  • Electronic Texts Collection.
  • EuroDocs: Primary Historical Documents from Western Europe.
  • H-Net - The History Network.

How do you know an author is credible? ›

Credible sources are written by authors respected in their fields of study. Responsible, credible authors will cite their sources so that you can check the accuracy of and support for what they've written. (This is also a good way to find more sources for your own research.)

What happens if you cite a source you didn't use? ›

So if you were to cite a source without using it, your mark won't likely go up, because your arguments are no better supported. Any good marker will see this. So if you're trying to increase your grade, you should add a source, and incorporate it into your arguments.

What should you do if a website doesn't tell you who the author of the webpage is? ›

- If there is no author listed, use the title of the webpage or the article you are viewing. - Try to search for the date near the bottom of the webpage. Look for a message regarding "webpage last updated..." - Make sure to include retrieval information in your citation.

What will happen if you fail to cite the sources of information that you have to put on your review of related literature? ›

Basics. Citing sources properly is essential to avoiding plagiarism in your writing. Not citing sources properly could imply that the ideas, information, and phrasing you are using are your own, when they actually originated with another author. Plagiarism doesn't just mean copy and pasting another author's words.

How do you cite a source with no author but an editor? ›

If there is an editor but no author, place the editor's name in the author's position of the citation and add “(Ed.)” or “(Eds.)” after the last editor's name. For works with an author and an editor –such as an article in an edited anthology –place the editor's name(s), uninverted, before the source's title.

What to replace if the author of a source is missing? ›

If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title/name of the item you are citing instead. Follow the title/name of the item with the date of publication, and then continue with other citation details. Note: An author/creator won't necessarily be a person's name.

What to do if a source has no publisher? ›

The MLA Style Center

As noted on page 42 of the MLA Handbook, if the book is published by its author or editor, omit the publisher's name from the works-cited-list entry: Hocking, Amanda. Fate.

How do you reference multiple editors? ›

If you are dealing with two editors instead of two authors, you would simply insert the names of the editors into the place where the authors' names are now, followed by "(Eds.)" without the quotation marks (see the Example). The rest of the format would remain the same. References: Author Surname, First Initial.

Can history com be used in a research paper? ›

Answer and Explanation: No, history.com cannot be used as a reliable source when writing an essay on the history of the Holocaust. History.com is an entertainment site that is part of the A&E brand of networks and specializes in looking at history in an entertaining fashion.

How do you cite both authors and editors? ›

Editor as Author

When citing one or more editors in the author position, invert the names and add (Ed.). or (Eds.). Brown, A. T. (Ed.).

How do you determine the credibility of a source? ›

How to identify a credible source
  1. The information should be up-to-date and current.
  2. The source should be relevant to your research.
  3. The author and publication should be a trusted authority on the subject you are researching.
  4. The sources the author cited should be easy to find, clear, and unbiased.
26 Aug 2021

How do you know if a website is reliable for research? ›

As you skim the website, ask yourself the following questions to see if the source is credible:
  1. Who is the author of the source?
  2. Where was the source published?
  3. What information does the source include and what does the source look like?
  4. When was the source published or updated?
  5. Why did the author create the source?

What does not count as an academic source? ›

As a general rule religious texts and newspapers are not considered academic sources.

What is a untrustworthy website? ›

You can also use your common sense to spot unreliable websites. Poorly designed websites with few pages and emotional titles or promises are mostly scams. Apart from the websites, scammers can fake people, reviews, emails, and images. So, always be cautious while browsing. Comments.

What are the two ways to check the credibility of the history? ›

Here are some aspects to watch out for to determine if a source is credible or not: Examine the source's and author's credentials and affiliations. Evaluate what sources are cited by the author. Make sure the source is up-to-date.

What makes a source reliable in history? ›

A reliable source is one that provides a thorough, well-reasoned theory, argument, discussion, etc. based on strong evidence. Scholarly, peer-reviewed articles or books -written by researchers for students and researchers. Original research, extensive bibliography.

What are the 3 most credible websites? ›

Websites with these domains (the URL ending) generally have reliable information:
  • org (a registered organisation)
  • edu (an educational institution)
  • gov (a government agency)
  • gov.au (an Australian government agency)
18 Jul 2022

Which source of history is not reliable? ›

(b)Memoirs and autobiographies:- This source of history is not very reliable even though it is written for the large reading public. Most of the memoirs and autobiographies are written towards the close of life, when the memory of the author is fading, and are therefore, untrustworthy.

What are 5 credible sources? ›

Primary, secondary & tertiary sources
  • original research articles.
  • literary works.
  • podcasts.
  • diaries.
  • census and statistics.
18 Jul 2022

What can damage a writer's credibility? ›

7 Communication Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Credibility
  • Lack of a goal. ...
  • Failure to consider the audience. ...
  • Absence of a compelling message. ...
  • Ineffective language. ...
  • Muddled delivery. ...
  • No personality. ...
  • Failure to rewrite or rework a piece.

How do you validate an author? ›

An author of a scholarly (or academic) article will usually include his/her credentials or affiliations. You will also see references (footnotes, endnotes, etc.). Check to see if the author has written other articles on this topic by searching in an appropriate article database.

How do you know who the author of a website is? ›

Author information can sometimes be found under an "About" section on a website. If there is no known author, start the citation with the title of the website instead. The best date to use for a website is the date that the content was last updated. Otherwise look for a copyright or original publication date.

Can you get in trouble for not citing sources? ›

When you use the work of others and do not cite the source, you are committing a form of academic dishonesty, even if the assignment is not graded. UNC does not treat the offense of plagiarism lightly; if a violation occurs, the punishment may include one semester of suspension and a failing grade in the class.

Is it illegal to not cite sources? ›

In other words, because you are not giving attribution to the owner of the original work or idea -- you are presenting the idea or thought as your own. Plagiarism is a violation of academic norms but not illegal; copyright violation is illegal but quite common in academia.

How do you cite without plagiarizing? ›

Give the author of the material credit by " documenting" or " citing" your sources (terms which mean you credit your source). Give credit whenever you use a direct quote by placing it in quotation marks and giving the author credit. Give credit within a research paper through footnotes or parenthetical remarks.

How do I report a website for personal information? ›

To report a site to the FTC, go the reportfraud.ftc.gov. Then, click Report Now and follow the on-screen instructions. Alternatively, you can contact local law enforcement agencies. They have up-to-date information about whether or not it is a federal crime or a state crime.

How do you judge the authority of a website? ›

Metrics, rankings, and content quality are all important in determining the authority of a website, and so is audience engagement. Websites with a lot of audience interaction have a higher authority than websites that see little engagement from their users.

How do I report against a website? ›

It is a 100% free online public platform where you can raise your voice against wrong and get justice through it. You can search “PCbook complaint” on Google and you will be directed to the official website of PCbook where you can file complaints against your concerning person.

What is the crime committed when a writer fails to cite a source of information? ›

(Plagiarism) The following passage is included in a student text without citing the source:. . . .

What could have you violated in using without properly acknowledging the original author or source? ›

Plagiarism is a breach of academic integrity. It is a principle of intellectual honesty that all members of the academic community should acknowledge their debt to the originators of the ideas, words, and data which form the basis for their own work.

What are 5 things that do not need to be cited or documented? ›

Listed below are a few items you generally don't need to cite no matter which citation style you use.
  • Your own personal/anecdotal information or experiences.
  • Your own arguments or opinions.
  • Your own videos, photographs, and other artwork you've created.
  • "Common knowledge"- This one is a little tricky to distinguish.
23 May 2022

Does an editor count as an author? ›

If an entire edited book with authored chapters is cited, the editor is listed as the author with the abbreviation "(Ed.)" after his name, or "(Eds.)" if there is more than one editor. Multiple editors are formatted the same way as authors. List first editor with the last name first, followed by a comme and "(Ed.)."

How do you credit an unknown author? ›

According to the MLA Style Center if a resource doesn't have an author do not use “Anonymous,” instead use the title of the resource. In in-text citations, use a shortened title of the work in place of an author's name.

Do you cite the editor if there is no author? ›

No Author. If no author or creator is provided, start the citation with the title/name of the item you are citing instead. Follow the title/name of the item with the date of publication, and the continue with other citation details.

How do I reference a source when the author got their information from someone else? ›

Your in-text citation should include both authors: the author(s) of the original source and the author(s) of the secondary source. For example: (Habermehl, 1985, as cited in Kersten, 1987). In your reference list you should provide the details of the secondary source (the source you read).

What do you do if the author's real name is not available? ›

Note: If the blog author's real name is not provided, use their username instead.

Do you really need a publisher? ›

Do I need a publisher for my book? If you've written a book, you can choose to self-publish or get it published by a traditional publishing house. Because you have these two options, you don't necessarily need a publisher for your book.

Can publisher refuse to publish? ›

The publishing process is a long and critical one, and not every manuscript escapes scrutiny and rejection. A publisher can refuse to publish a book if they don't think they have a good chance of selling.

What type of source is history com? ›

History.com Topics are text articles which can also feature related video, interactives and photo galleries for a rich experience related to the selected "topic." HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content.

How do I cite a .com website in APA? ›

APA website citations usually include the author, the publication date, the title of the page or article, the website name, and the URL. If there is no author, start the citation with the title of the article. If the page is likely to change over time, add a retrieval date.

How do you reference a .com website? ›

Include information in the following order:
  1. author (the person or organisation responsible for the site)
  2. year (date created or last updated)
  3. page title (in italics)
  4. name of sponsor of site (if available)
  5. accessed day month year (the day you viewed the site)
  6. URL or Internet address (pointed brackets).
7 Jul 2022

How do I cite a online article? ›

Cite web postings as you would a standard web entry. Provide the author of the work, the title of the posting in quotation marks, the web site name in italics, the publisher, and the posting date. Follow with the date of access.

What are the 4 types of historical sources? ›

Historical sources can include coins, artefacts, monuments, literary sources, documents, artifacts, archaeological sites, features, oral transmissions, stone inscriptions, paintings, recorded sounds, images and oral history.
...
Contents
  • 1.1 Primary source.
  • 1.2 Secondary source.
  • 1.3 Tertiary source.

What are the 4 types of sources in history? ›

Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Sources
  • Primary Sources.
  • Secondary Sources.
  • Tertiary Sources.
  • Primary and Secondary Sources in Law.
10 Nov 2020

Can I cite organization website in APA? ›

For a page from an organization's website without individual authors, use the name of the organization as the author. Provide as specific a date as possible for the webpage. Some online works note when the work was last updated.

Are you allowed to reference a website? ›

Luckily, writing the in-text citation for a website or webpage is easy: Simply include the author and year of publication. The URL goes in the corresponding reference list entry (and yes, you can leave the links live).

Can I use a website link as a reference? ›

So, yes, cite web pages as needed and quote, formally, from them also when needed. But cite them even if you paraphrase things. You also probably need to do more than just include a list of references at the end of the paper. The reason for including a reference should be made clear, usually in the text itself.

How do you properly cite a source? ›

For every in-text citation in your paper, there must be a corresponding entry in your reference list. APA in-text citation style uses the author's last name and the year of publication, for example: (Field, 2005). For direct quotations, include the page number as well, for example: (Field, 2005, p. 14).

What is the easiest way to cite a website? ›

Author's Last name, First name. “Title of the Article or Individual Page.” Title of the Website, Name of the Publisher, date of publication in day month year format, URL.

What are some examples of citations? ›

Examples
  • Reference list: Ashbourn, J. ...
  • In-text citation: (Ashbourn, 2014)
  • Reference list: Nasta, S. ...
  • In-text citation: (Nasta and Stein, 2020)
  • Reference list: Prior, H. ...
  • In-text citation: (Prior, 2020, 74%)
  • Reference list: Faulkner, W. ...
  • In-text citation: (Faulkner, 2000, ch.

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