You can get in serious trouble if you do not follow the RULES. If you plagiarize at college, they can withdraw you from the school. All three RULES are a lot to think about as you are researching and writing, but as long as you understand the way they work, it will eventually become a habit. You referred to these three things as RULES. There are rules that apply to them, but they aren't rules themselves. Try replacing "rules" with a better word.

I need a word to replace the word "rules"