Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

QUOTING, PARAPHRASING & SUMMARIZING
Three ways to incorporate research into your paper.
1. Quoting
2. Paraphrasing
3. Summarizing
Always use in-text documentation THEN cite it on your Works-Cited page
Quoting
When you use the author’s EXACT WORDS
Put quotation marks around your work “ .”
When do you use them?
1. to add power of an author’s words to support your argument
2. to highlight particularly powerful phrases/passages
3. comparing and contrasting specific points of view
4. to note the important research that comes before your own
Paraphrasing
When you rephrase or put his/her thoughts in YOUR OWN WORDS – rewording the source’s ideas,
words, phrases, and sentence structure.
Paraphrase when:
1. planning to use information on your note cards to avoid plagiarizing
2. to avoid overusing quotations
3. to use your own voice to present information

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing
1. reread passage so you understand its meaning
2. set the original aside, then write your paraphrase on a note card
3. jot down a few words to remind you how you envision using this material
(write a key word or phrase to indicate content/subject)
4. check your paraphrase against the original work making sure your version
accurately expresses the information in a new form
5. use quotation marks to identify specific terms / phrases you borrowed exactly
6. record the source – including the page number – on your note card to give credit to the author
Summarizing
Involves putting the main idea(s) of one or several writers into your own words – including only the
main points.
Summarize when:
1. to establish background or offer an overview of a topic
2. to describe knowledge – from several sources – about a topic
3. to determine the main ideas of a single source
Example of How to Paraphrase then Summarize
Original paragraph:
Jenny is a fifteen-year old student who attends a rural school. She is very outgoing and participates in
school activities such as cheerleading and Quiz Bowl. Because her school is small, everyone knows her and
she knows everyone in school.
Paraphrased: (only the main ideas)

Jenny, a high school aged girl is very involved with activities at school. Her school is small so it is easy
to get to know everyone.
Summarized: (shorter than paraphrasing)

Jenny is well-known in her small high school and participates in school activities.
Example of How to Paraphrase, Summarize and Cite Work
Original paragraph:
Students frequently overuse direct quotations in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the
final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted
matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking
notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.
Paraphrased:
In research papers, students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted materials down to a desirable
level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material
recorded verbatim. (Lester 46-47).
Summarized:
Students should take just a few notes in direct quotations from sources to help minimize the amount of
quoted materials in a research paper (Lester 46-47).
Try this one on your own!
Original paragraph:
Of the more than 1,000 bicycling deaths each year, three-fourths are caused by head
injuries. Half of those killed are school-age children. One study concluded that wearing a
bike helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85 percent. In an accident, a bike helmet
absorbs the shock and cushions the head. From “Bike Helmets: Unused Lifesavers,”
Consumer Reports (May 1990): 348.
Paraphrased:
Summarized:
Here’s another one!
Original Paragraph:
“The Antarctic is the vast source of cold on our planet, just as the sun is the source of our
heat, and it exerts tremendous control on our climate,” [Jacques] Cousteau told the camera.
“The cold ocean water around Antarctica flows north to mix with warmer water from the
tropics, and its upwellings help to cool both the surface water and our atmosphere. Yet the
fragility of this regulating system is now threatened by human activity.” From “Captain
Cousteau,” Audubon (May 1990): 17.
Paraphrased:
Summarized:

Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

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QUOTING, PARAPHRASING & SUMMARIZING

Three ways to incorporate research into your paper.

Always use in-text documentation THEN cite it on your Works-Cited page

When do you use them?

1. to add power of an author’s words to support your argument

2. to highlight particularly powerful phrases/passages

3. comparing and contrasting specific points of view

4. to note the important research that comes before your own

1. planning to use information on your note cards to avoid plagiarizing

2. to avoid overusing quotations

3. to use your own voice to present information

1. reread passage so you understand its meaning

Example of How to Paraphrase then Summarize

Paraphrased: (only the main ideas)

Summarized: (shorter than paraphrasing)

Example of How to Paraphrase, Summarize and Cite Work

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