Documentation conventions for different genres

Genre

Documentation convention

Reason

essay, article, or scientific report

Typically in a works cited or reference list at the end of the essay

For an author to show that she or he has done research and thoroughly explored the topic

For others to access this original work that the author consulted

slide show presentation

At the very end, embedded in a separate slide typically called “sources” or “works cited”

For an author to show that she or he has done research and thoroughly explored the topic

For others to access this original work that the author consulted

To give credit and provide information for video clips, music, and other material produced by someone other than the presentation’s composer

song lyrics

Usually in the liner notes, where the artist gives formal credit or points toward permission to use copyrighted lyrics

To give credit to the original author of the lyrics or text being set to music.

music

Usually in the liner notes, where the artist gives formal credit or points toward permission to use copyrighted music

To give credit to the original artist or composer

full-length movie

At the very end, embedded within what are typically called the “closing credits”

To list cast and crew

To provide location information and acknowledge the help of that community

To include complete names and artists for songs used in the movie

For major motion pictures, there are strict standards regarding who gets credited and in what order.

short video

At the very end, embedded within what are typically called the “credits”

For an author to show that she or he has done research and thoroughly explored the topic

For others to access this original work that the author consulted

To give credit and provide information for video clips, music, and other material produced by someone other than the video’s composer

news broadcast

Usually mentioned by the reporter orally within the story itself

Can be a mention of a story from another news source

Can be credit given to an ordinary citizen rather than a news organization or reporter

For the station or reporter to give credit to the original person who broke the story or provided the information

To include more perspectives and viewpoints in a story