ThezisHow to cite a source you found inside another source
A secondary citation occurs when you learn about an original work through a different source. The best move is usually to find and read the original. If you cannot, your citation must make the indirect path clear.
Choose the honest citation path
| Situation | Best practice |
|---|---|
| You found and read the original work | Cite the original work directly. |
| You could not access the original and rely on a later author’s account | Use the secondary-citation form required by your style guide and list the work you read. |
| The later source paraphrases the original without enough detail | Do not repeat the claim as though you verified it; find a better route or omit it. |
APA explains that secondary sources should be used sparingly and that the source you actually read is the one that belongs in the reference list. Other styles have their own syntax, so check the relevant official guide. APA Style: Secondary sources
Trace the original before accepting the claim
- Copy the original author, year, title, and page from the source you have.
- Search your library catalog, DOI registry, and cited-reference links.
- Check whether a preprint, book chapter, or institutional copy exists.
- Read the relevant passage and context before citing it directly.
- Record which version you read and where the claim appears.
Secondary citations create a risk of carrying forward an error, a changed meaning, or a claim without its limitation. Treat the later author as an interpreter, not a transparent window onto the original. UNC Writing Center