Paper writing

[danaeris]

I haven't written a paper in a long long time.

When making an assertion that is somewhat general knowledge, and was discussed throughout the class for which you are writing the paper, do you have to find a supporting source and cite it?

The assertion in question is that in the early to mid twentieth century, governments tried to address the issue of affordable housing by building large housing projects consisting of affordable rental units.

Comments

[outcastspice.livejournal.com]

in my experience, i've had to reference that sort of thing. you may be able to put the class lecture as a reference. check with your prof?

[outcastspice.livejournal.com]

also, U of T has a 'writing centre' where you can take essays for editing and help with the entire essay process, outline to end. so, if ry. has one, they may be able to help.

[lariel.livejournal.com]

I cannot answer from a school paper perspective, but when I have written papers to submit to journals, there are certain kinds of well-known statements which do not have to be cited, and generally are not, especially if the statement in question does not have a clear first origin. That's a bit general, though; specifically, knowing nothing of the subject area, that particular statement sounds to me like it deserves a reference (but perhaps only because I didn't know it! :)

[garden_hoe21]

I'd cite it. You really can't go wrong.

[wiseacre.livejournal.com]

No need to cite that. I'd mention examples of projects ("...such as Toronto's Regent Park, Chicago's Cabrini Green, and Anytown's Housing Project,...")to back the assertion, that's all.