[siftrics]

I clearly remember getting in trouble in class each year for using Wikipedia.

My podunk teachers couldn't fathom the difference between directly citing Wikipedia (just cite the source it references instead) and merely reading it.

Pain.

[thomasahle]

> just cite the source it references instead

You also shouldn't cite sources you haven't read yourself.

[siftrics]

I agree?

[hotnfresh]

Some teachers notice if you only cite sources on the Wikipedia page, too. More likely if the whole class is writing on the same topic.

The work-around is to write it from Wikipedia, but find sources by searching on Google Books. Being able to read a couple pages around each part you’re citing is enough, so their page allowance for restricted works is usually plenty.

Hit your citation count and real-book-source requirement (if they still do that second one) without leaving your chair. Barely more work than writing from Wikipedia and not covering your tracks.