Question

When writing about a specific event or place, e.g. the pyramids or the Vietnam War, how do you know when to cite information? I know to cite quotes and paraphrased ideas, but what constitutes common knowledge?

Answer 1

Common knowledge would be what you knew before reading your sources. Information you cite is what you learned from that source.

Answer 2

When I look at sample essays, most of the historical facts are not cited, like when the event happened, what occurred, where it occurred, etc. I just don't want to plagiarize...

Answer 3

I am pretty sure that type of information should be cited.

Answer 4

Even if YOU know something, that does not mean that everyone knows it. If it is not common knowledge, you need to cite it.