How does one cite a source that one knows only indirectly?

Question

I used a quote in my essay that I got from the rubric for the assignment. How do I cite it? I know it's like citing a handout but who’s the author, the teacher or the person who said the quote (Napoleon Bonaparte)?

Answer 1

Cite the rubric. The teacher is the author of the rubric, so cite the rubric at the end in Works Cited. In the paper, put Napoleon said, "... (qtd. in teacher's last name). The "qtd." means "quoted." Or, you could go to Brainy Quotes to find the quote in another place then cite that source. Napoleon quotes should be easy to find.

Answer 2

Hello! This is an unusual case and I'm wondering if you can share some more information. Generally, you would include the name of the person who actually said the quote in the sentence, then cite the source where you actually found the quote in your parenthetical citation. In both examples below, I'm quoting information that was written or spoken by Garcia, but that I found in a source I read that was written by Washington.

MLA: Melissa Garcia describes the story as "reflecting the current political climate" (qtd. in Washington 35).

APA: Melissa Garcia describes the study as "revealing and important for the field of psychology" (as cited in Washington, 2018, p. 35).

However, I'm curious to know if the assignment is based on the Bonaparte quote, in which case you would only need to state that it was from Bonaparte and not from the rubric. Regardless, the person who actually said the quote always needs to be credited. Depending on the case with your assignment, you may or may not need to state that you found this quote elsewhere.