The Online Library Learning Center website is no longer being maintained, so information may be out-of-date.
This website should now be used as an historical reference.

Home » Giving Credit Where Credit is Due » Common Knowledge

« previous Page 4 of 13 next »

Common Knowledge

What you don't have to cite

You don't have to cite some things because they're common knowledge and are not considered the work of any particular person.

Examples of common knowledge are:

How can you tell if something is common knowledge?
Common knowledge is information that the majority of people either know or can find in a number of sources. Common knowledge is factual information that is beyond dispute. Sure, you might not remember (or ever have known) what Georgia's state bird is, but you can easily look it up in an almanac, encyclopedia, the state's Web site, or other resource.

If you're not sure whether something is common knowledge or not, go ahead and provide a reference for it.

« previous Page 4 of 13 next »