MUS 133: Musics of the Spanish Colonial Empire, ca. 1500-1800

Widely-known, generally-accepted information that is not attributable to one source.

Examples:

• Columbus Day is a national holiday that celebrates the arrival of explorer Christopher Columbus to America in 1492. (common knowledge, no citation needed)
• Many institutions, including Williams College, now recognize the holiday as Indigenous Peoples Day. (common knowledge, no citation needed)
• South Dakota was likely the first state to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples Day as a state holiday.¹ (not common knowledge, citation needed)

What is considered common knowledge can be tricky. When in doubt, ask your professor!

1. Delkic, Melina. "Indigenous Peoples Day, Explained." New York Times, October 9, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/article/indigenous-peoples-day.html.

In most citation styles, two parts are needed:

1. An in-text citation
   Whenever you refer to the work of another person, you must indicate within the text where you got the information. The in-text citation provides a brief reference and points your reader to the complete citation. In-text citations can be in parentheses, footnotes, endnotes, or another form, depending on the citation style you are using.
2. A list of works used
   The final page of your paper is usually a list of resources you cited or consulted.