What Information Does Not Need a Citation? The Surprising Truth!

Have you ever been in the middle of writing an essay or article and thought, "Wait, do I need to cite that?" Well, the good news is that not all information requires a citation. But how do you know what does and doesn’t need one? Let's dive into it, because honestly, the answer might not be as clear-cut as you'd think!

General Knowledge: The Basics You Don’t Need to Cite

First things first: There’s a difference between common knowledge and information that requires a citation. Common knowledge refers to facts or ideas that are widely known and accepted by the general public, and this is where you can breathe easy – no citation needed.

1. Well-Known Historical Facts

We all know that the Earth revolves around the Sun, or that World War II ended in 1945. These are facts that most people are familiar with, and citing them would be overkill. The reason? They’re not debatable, and they’ve been widely accepted for so long that they’re just part of our collective knowledge.

I remember once stumbling while writing a history paper on World War II and obsessing over the exact year it ended. I got all paranoid about citing it, but then a friend (who's a history buff) casually reminded me, "No one’s going to question that. It’s just basic knowledge!" And he was right.

2. Universal Scientific Principles

Another category of information that doesn’t require citation is basic scientific principles. Things like gravity, the boiling point of water (at 100°C, under standard pressure!), or the fact that plants photosynthesize – you don’t need to footnote these because they are universally accepted scientific facts.

However, here's the catch: If you're talking about more specific theories or discoveries, like the nuances of quantum mechanics or the latest advancements in biotechnology, those definitely need citations. But the tried-and-true basics? Totally safe.

Your Own Experiences: Personal Insights Don’t Need a Citation

It’s your work, so why would you need to cite it? Personal experiences, anecdotes, and ideas based solely on your thoughts and observations don’t need citations. For instance, if you share a story about your last vacation, how you felt during a specific event, or even your opinion on a recent movie, no citation is necessary.

3. Personal Knowledge and Observations

If you’re writing about your experiences – say, you’ve been to France and you’re writing about the food there – that’s personal knowledge. No one else has lived that exact experience, so you don’t need a source.

A funny example comes from my own life. I once wrote about my trip to Paris, where I tried escargot for the first time. I didn't need a citation for saying that escargot was a surprisingly delicious experience. It’s my personal observation, after all!

But, if I were to claim that "escargot is the most popular food in Paris," that’s a sweeping generalization. I would need to cite sources, because I’d need evidence to back up that claim.

Common Facts vs. Controversial Claims: Where’s the Line?

You may be wondering, "Okay, but how do I know if something is universally accepted or if it's more of a debated claim?" Great question. The line between common knowledge and specific claims can get blurry, and sometimes it’s about context.

4. Information Widely Accepted, But Not Universally Known

Some facts are widely accepted, but they might not be as universally known. For example, the fact that the speed of light is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second is common knowledge in scientific circles, but it might not be something that everyone automatically knows. Here’s where you need to be careful. If you’re talking to a general audience and you want to mention it, you might want to back it up with a citation to help your reader feel confident.

5. Local or Regional Knowledge

Another grey area is information that might be widely known in one country or region but not globally. For example, certain cultural norms, like how people greet each other in your country, may be considered "common knowledge" in that culture, but outside of it, it might need a bit more explanation and a citation to back it up.

This is where I always hesitate – I’ve caught myself assuming everyone knows certain things, like the fact that in my hometown, we greet each other with a hug. But I realized that people from other places might not get that. So, knowing your audience is key!

When in Doubt, Cite It!

Okay, okay, so what do you do if you’re really not sure whether something needs a citation? When in doubt, go ahead and cite it. It's always safer to back up your claims with sources than to risk plagiarism. Even if the information seems like something everyone knows, it’s worth providing a reliable source – especially if your work is academic or professional.

I’ve had moments where I thought, "This is common knowledge, right?" and then, halfway through writing, I questioned myself. So, I cited it anyway. And you know what? It gave my work more credibility. Better safe than sorry, right?

Conclusion: Keep It Simple, but Stay Smart

So, what doesn’t need a citation? Well, in short: common knowledge, personal experiences, universal truths, and basic facts. If something is widely known and accepted by most people, chances are you don’t need to cite it. But when in doubt, or if you’re making a specific claim that someone could question, it’s always safer to throw in a citation.

And hey, don’t stress too much about it! Over time, you’ll get a better feel for what requires a citation and what doesn’t. If you’re ever unsure, just ask a friend or colleague – I promise, you’re not alone in having these "citation doubts!"

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The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.