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7.2: Common Knowledge Information Graphic Description

  • Page ID
    100033
  • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    The information graphic shows a definition of common knowledge:

    Common Knowledge is a fact that is generally well-known, not controversial, and easy to look up. Common knowledge statements don’t require a citation because you are assuming that the reader already knows this information.

    The sources featured in this example are:

    • A National Public Radio headline from its website that reads, “President Trump’s Inaugural Address, Annotated”
    • The cover of the book, From Civil Rights to Human Rights: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Struggle for Economic Justice by Thomas F. Jackson
    • A headline from the Sacramento Bee website that reads, “These are the top Fourth of July celebrations you don’t want to miss.”

    In an a paper - the following faces related to the sources would be considered common knowledge and would not require a citation:

    • Donald J. Trump is the 45th president of the United States.
    • The USA celebrates its independence from Britain on July 4.
    • Martin Luther King, Jr. played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.

     


    7.2: Common Knowledge Information Graphic Description is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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