Working with Indirect Sources

Indirect source:

•           This is what happens when you want to quote a source that is within your source
•           BE HONEST – cite what you actually have in front of you
•           BE HONEST - make it clear in your signal phrase & ( ) that the source is indirect

For example, the source that you are looking at is a website by Boyd. The website quotes another study. This is what it says in your source:  “even small children have vivid ideas about nuclear energy” (Davino 112).

This is what it should say in your paper: One study by Davino maintains that “even small children have vivid ideas about nuclear energy” (qtd in Boyd).

Boyd in the ( ) citation points back directly to the first word of your Works Cited entry. Davino in the signal phrase and qtd in in the parenthetical citation give credit to the original author, and make it clear that you’re using an indirect source.  

Works Cited

Boyd, James. “Awesome Article.” Fantastic Website. Sponsor, 10 Sept 2010. Web. 30 Sept 2013.
       <http://www.awesome.com>