Citations and Common Knowledge: TEAS Practice Question with Answer & Explanation

Understanding Common Knowledge in Academic Writing

In academic writing, including the types of essays required in nursing school and on the TEAS 7 exam, you must provide a citation for any information that is not your original thought. The major exception to this rule is common knowledge.

The correct answer is B: "The Amazon River is located in South America and is one of the longest rivers in the world."

Why Choice B is Correct

Common knowledge refers to information that is widely known by a majority of people and can be found in numerous general sources (like encyclopedias, dictionaries, or basic maps) without dispute. Choice B falls into this category because the location and relative size of the Amazon River are basic geographical facts taught in early education. It does not rely on a specific study, a unique interpretation, or recent data to be verified.

Why the Other Choices Require Citations

• Choice A (12% of college students): This is a specific statistic. Any time you use a precise percentage or number derived from research, you must cite the source so the reader knows who conducted the study and how the data was gathered.
• Choice C (40 million people in poverty): While this may be a fact, it is a socio-economic statistic that changes over time. It requires a citation from a government agency (like the U.S. Census Bureau) to establish its validity and the specific timeframe of the data.
• Choice D (Clinical trials on Vitamin C): This claim involves medical research and specific dosages. In a nursing or science context, making a claim about a "daily intake" or "clinical trials" without a citation is considered plagiarism or misinformation, as it relies on specific scientific evidence.

TEAS Concept: When to Cite

On the TEAS 7, you are tested on your ability to distinguish between your own ideas, common knowledge, and evidence that requires attribution. Ask yourself these two questions:

1. Is it a specific number? If yes, cite it.
2. Would a general audience already know this as a fact? If no, cite it.

Memory Tip

Use the "Rule of Five." If you can find the same fact in five different general-reference sources (like a dictionary or a basic textbook) and the information never changes regardless of the source, it is likely common knowledge and does not need a citation.