How To Ensure Your Attributions Are Clear
Any time you include items in your writing, whether a result or an observation, that is not your own, you are required to give proper attribution. At the least, it’s customary to write who is responsible for it, as well as which literature it was lifted from.
Why? Because unless otherwise stated, readers will assume that anything written on a paper with your name on it is the product of your own thinking. When they quote from it, they will point to you as the source.
More importantly, though, knowing where a specific idea originated will show the reader your starting position. That allows them to verify it, setting the context from where your own thoughts and research have been formulated.
As such, the only time attribution can be skipped is when you’re writing about ideas that are common knowledge. For instance, there’s no reason to attribute a discussion of the general theories of relativity to Einstein for most types of writing. If you’re producing a book for seven year olds, however, who may not have heard of the same thing, then including a passing mention should be in order.
Even small references that add color should be given their due. While it is tempting to leave attribution out (since a particular point doesn’t affect your arguments), doing so can damage your credibility, taking away from all the work you’ve put researching, formulating and writing the piece to the best of your abilities. Yep, all that money spent on the best grammar software gone to waste.