Common Knowledge

Common Knowledge is a term for facts that are generally well-known, not controversial, and easy to look up. When you state something that is common knowledge in your paper, you don’t have to include a citation because you are assuming that the reader already knows this information. Common knowledge can vary somewhat depending on who the audience for your research project is. If you aren’t sure whether something you are stating in your paper is common knowledge, always play it safe and include a citation.  

Example

Common Knowledge

The sources featured for this example are:

• A National Public Radio headline from its website, “President Trump’s Inaugural Address, Annotated”
• 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, “These are the top Fourth of July celebrations you don’t want to miss.”

In an a paper - the following facts 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 4th.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. played a pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement.