Source text:
It’s not enough to know that movies began in New York City – they were first shot here, in 1896, and they were first shown here in the same year. James Sanders wants you to know, New York City also began in the movies. (From Mandell, J. New York and Films. http://www.gothamgazette.com/iotw/photo-esaay-nyfilms)
Writer’s text:
New York and films have had a working relationship since the first film was shot in the city in 1896.
Writer’s comment:
I did not cite the reference because it’s kind of information or fact, not an opinion.
Student’s comment:
- Probably the point I see in sourcing is allowing readers to find additional information, and he’s just denied his readers any kind of opportunity to find additional information about what has happened here. So I would say that it should probably be cited. And then for the reader to know, to verity, it’s not just him making it up. (A Master’s student in Library & Information Studies)
- I think it’s a hard line to draw. I think if it’s common knowledge to everyone in that field, and there’s no discrepancies, and you as an expert in that field know there’s no discrepancies, then I think it’s fine. But as an example, people say, for example, the Battle of Hastings in England was in 1066, such a data need to reference, it’s coming from the English book of history, or that’s just an accepted fact, or World War Two from 1939 to 1946, you don’t have to, that’s an accepted fact, everyone knows it, and no one will argue when it was. Something like this, unless you’re a complete expert in that field and no one else is arguing with you. (A graduate student in Business).
Faculty member’s comment:
- It would be more believable if student wrote that he got that from there. Otherwise, how do we know that New York since has had movie? relationship? I mean it’s just fair to say that then you can say anything. So at least it’s in a newspaper or something…People would know this person this person would be an authority in the field, and it would be credible. I would put there. (A professor in Education)
- I tend to agree with the writer. It’s a simple fact that is probably uncontroversial, and if the fact is incorrect, that’s up to the reader to take responsibility. A good text would perhaps supply a little more information than simply the claim that it was shot in 1896, but it looks okay to me. I agree with the writer. (A professor in Education)