When writing a paper, you can strengthen and support your argument by integrating ideas from expert sources and citing them accordingly. There are three ways to incorporate information from sources into a paper.
Quotation
Quoting occurs when you use the exact words from a source. You will need to put quotation marks around the quote and cite it. For example:
“It wasn’t really a tune, but from the first note the beast’s eyes began to droop . . . Slowly the dog’s growls ceased – it tottered on its paws and fell to its knees, then it slumped to the ground, fast asleep” (Rowling 275).
Follow these tips when quoting a passage:
- Quote passages that seem especially well phrased or are unique to the author or subject matter.
- Be selective in your quotations. Avoid over-quoting. You also don’t have to quote an entire passage and can use ellipses (. . .) to indicate omitted words.
- Before or after quoting a passage, include an explanation in which you explain the significance of the quote for the reader.
- Shorter quotes are generally incorporated into the flow of a sentence while longer quotes may be set off in “blocks.” Check your citation style for quoting guidelines.
Paraphrase
Paraphrasing occurs when you state the ideas from another source in your own words. Do not use quotation marks with a paraphrase but do provide a citation. For example:
With the simple music of the flute, Harry lulled the dog to sleep (Rowling 275).
Follow these tips when paraphrasing a passage:
- Don’t take a passage and change a word here or there, which may be considered plagiarism.
- Read the passage, reflect upon it, and restate it in a way that is meaningful to you within the context of your paper.
- If you are having trouble paraphrasing a passage, try looking away from it and imagine explaining it to another person.
- After paraphrasing the passage, go back and compare it to the original. Are there any phrases that have come directly from the original source? If so, you should rephrase them or quote the passage instead.
Summary
Summarizing occurs when you provide an overview or describe the source’s main idea in your own words. Do not use quotation marks with a summary but do provide a citation. For example:
Through a combination of skill and their invisibility cloak, Harry, Ron, and Hermione slipped through Hogwarts to the dog’s room and down through the trapdoor within (Rowling 271-77).
Follow these tips when summarizing a passage:
- Read through the entire passage carefully and take notes on major ideas.
- Look away from the passage and try to state the author’s main point aloud.
- Imagine that you have to compose a social media post explaining the main point of the passage or article to an audience unfamiliar with the source. What’s the most important point/idea to convey?
Balancing source material and your own thoughts
Ideally, papers will contain a good balance of information from other sources and your own ideas. Excessive reliance on external sources can detract from your own original thoughts on the topic.
Always properly cite an author’s original ideas. If you have questions about how to cite in your specific citation style, browse these citation pages or check out the APA Citation Guide or the MLA Citation Guide.
University Writing & Speaking Center
The University of Nevada, Reno Writing & Speaking Center provides helpful guidance on integrating sources into your writing and explains how to ensure that your source integration does not veer into plagiarism. Schedule an appointment with the Writing & Speaking Center for assistance.