What is the attribution of ideas to original authors called?

• A. Attribution of ideas to original authors.
• B. Acknowledging the contributions of original thinkers.
• C. Deep interaction with academic materials and ideas.
• D. Presenting others' work as one's own.

Answer: (A)

Giving proper credit to the original authors for their ideas through citing sources is attribution. In writing, attribution means clearly showing which ideas come from others and which are your own, using in-text citations and a reference list so readers can locate the sources. This practice prevents plagiarism and strengthens your work by showing the lineage of ideas and how you built on them. The statement that names attribution of ideas to original authors captures this exact practice. The other statements describe related notions in a broader or different sense (acknowledging contributions in general, a vague process, or presenting others’ work as your own, which is plagiarism and not attribution).