Close Home Forum Sign up / Log in

Can I use a book's source as my own source?

P

Hello -

I'm a new Master's student of English Language and Literature, studying abroad in Korea, and I had a quick question about writing. I'm reading a book currently, and he has a quote "first wholly serious feminist heroine" which is connected to the source

Elaine Showalter, A Literature of Their Own: British Women Novelists from Bronte to Lessing (London: Virago, 1978), 199.

My question is, can I use this quote in one of my papers and then use this source as one of my own? I imagine the answer is yes, I don't imagine why not if I quote properly and give credit where it is due, but as it is my first semester and I haven't been studying for a few years, I just want to make sure I'm not screwing myself here. Thanks in advance!

T

I'm not sure what you mean. If you're asking if you can quote something from Source B you read in Source A, you can, but you should only cite Source B if you have read Source B. Otherwise, you should cite Source A. This is because Source A could be wrong and you won't know unless you have actually read Source B yourself.

J

Of course you can. Just verify the source before you do so which it looks like you have already done. So I don't see a problem here. All the best for your course.

53717