Teaching citation doesn’t have to be boring. These activities from the MSU Libraries Teaching & Learning Unit help students explore the role that citation plays in academic writing and research.
Activities
- Citation web: In groups, start with an article. Have students identify the oldest article cited in the bibliography, then find that article. Repeat. See which group can find the oldest article. Discuss how research builds and connects over time.
- Create a citation style: ask students to create their own citation style for an activity or subject they enjoy. What pieces of information are important? Compare to established citation styles and discuss.
- A world with no citation (writing prompt): Write a story about what an academic field would be like if citation didn’t exist. What it would it be like to do research in this field? Demonstrate your understanding of how citation functions in the creation or discovery of new knowledge.
Materials
- Three-part tutorial on citation: bit.do/citationmsu
- Citation intro videos: libguides.lib.msu.edu/modules/citations
Citation Help for Students
- Make an appointment with a Library Peer Research Assistant: libguides.lib.msu.edu/engage