After reading Chapter 7 in WWR, it got me thinking. Although we were always taught in the past that citing our sources is a necessity to give credit where credit is due, each topic researched, discussed, and documented is that of an ongoing conversation. We cannot really say that every idea is original, but that we all contribute our interpretation of an idea through research done from creditable sources. Supporting measurements (won’t say factors) get us thinking, but they also help us create new ideas which we can contribute to the conversation. Our interpretations are written by supporting evidence which allows our readers to see things from our perspective, but to also make our opinion meaningful. As Troy mentioned, properly citing your sources in addition to writing your ideas based on these sources, is a “mashed up” way of getting your point across in an organized way. It also proves that you have invested time in the author’s idea or purpose and how it relates to the topic you write about. Citing sources is also not just something you will need to use for a series of classes to earn your credit hours. The examples used by Troy: song-writing, Obama’s speech, etc. were spot on and really helped me focus on the bigger issue – work being stolen from one author and made to look like the original idea(s) came from the author (person) making the statement. This is because credit wasn’t given to original author and the person who therefore made the statement is not trustworthy. It also damages this person’s credibility on future pieces they may write.

Swanson, Troy. “Mash It Up … Gracefully Using Sources.” Why White Rice?: Thinking Through Writing. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt, 2010. 163-173. Print.