Question 27

A citation is needed when a student uses song lyrics to support his point.

Using song lyrics as a supporting point in an argument requires a citation to give credit to the original author and to maintain academic integrity.

A) A writer states a well-known and accepted fact.

This option is incorrect because well-known facts do not require citation. Common knowledge, such as historical dates or widely accepted scientific truths, can be stated without needing to reference a source.

B) A professor teaches a concept from a book she wrote.

This situation does not necessitate a citation because the professor is presenting her own work. While it is good practice to acknowledge one’s own contributions, formal citation is not required for original content produced by the instructor.

C) A speaker recites an original poem.

This option is incorrect as well, since the speaker is sharing their own original creation. There is no need for a citation when one is presenting their own work, as it is not sourced from another author.

D) A student uses song lyrics to support his point.

This option is correct because song lyrics are copyrighted material. When a student incorporates such lyrics into their work, they must provide a citation to acknowledge the original artist and the source of the lyrics, thus adhering to copyright laws and academic standards.

Conclusion

In summary, a citation is essential when using song lyrics as they are protected by copyright and belong to the original songwriter. The other options do not require citations as they involve either common knowledge or original works, thus highlighting the importance of crediting sources in academic writing.