LibGuides: Extended Essay: Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quotations

Paraphrasing, Summarizing and Using Quotations

From the Purdue OWL Writing Lab:

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES AMONG QUOTING, PARAPHRASING, AND SUMMARIZING?

These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing.

Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.

Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

WHY USE QUOTATIONS, PARAPHRASES, AND SUMMARIES?

Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes. You might use them to:

Provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing
Refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing
Give examples of several points of view on a subject
Call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with
Highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original
Distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own
Expand the breadth or depth of your writing

OTHER HELPFUL WEBSITES FOR QUOTING, PARAPHRASING, AND SUMMARIZING

The University of Arizona Global Campus - Quoting, Paraphrasing, & Summarizing: Explore 3 ways of including the ideas of others into your academic writing

UNSW Sydney - Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quoting - Quoting, paraphrasing and summarising are all different ways of including the works of others in your assignments.

What and How Quoting

What is a quotation?

A quotation is an exact reproduction of spoken or written words. Quotes can provide strong evidence, act as an authoritative voice, or support a writer's statements. For example:

Bell and Bell (1993) point out in their study of Australian-American cultural relations: "culture is never simply imposed 'from above' but is negotiated through existing patterns and traditions." (Bell & Bell 1993, p. 9)

Use a quote:

when the author's words convey a powerful meaning
when the exact words are important
when you want to use the author as an authoritative voice in your own writing
to introduce an author's position you may wish to discuss
to support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.

How to quote

Quoting should be done sparingly and support your own work, not replace it. For example, make a point in your own words, then support it with an authoritative quote.

Every direct quotation should:
- appear between quotation marks (" ")
- exactly reproduce text, including punctuation and capital letters.
A short quotation often works well when integrated into a sentence.
If any words need to be omitted for clarity, show the omission with an ellipsis ( ... ).
If any words need to be added to the quotation, put them between square brackets ([ ]).
Longer quotations (more than 3 lines of text) should start on a new line and be indented on both sides.

Videos on Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

What and How Paraphrasing

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is a way of using different words and phrasing to present the same ideas. Paraphrasing is used with short sections of text, such as phrases and sentences.

A paraphrase offers an alternative to using direct quotations and allows you to integrate evidence/source material into assignments. Paraphrasing can also be used for note-taking and explaining information in tables, charts and diagrams.

When to paraphrase

Paraphrase short sections of work only i.e. a sentence or two or a short paragraph:

as an alternative to a direct quotation
to rewrite someone else's ideas without changing the meaning
to express someone else's ideas in your own words
to support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.

How to paraphrase

Read the original source carefully. It is essential that you understand it fully.
Identify the main point(s) and key words.
Cover the original text and rewrite it in your own words. Check that you have included the main points and essential information.
Write the paraphrase in your own style. Consider each point; how could you rephrase it?
- - Ensure that you keep the original meaning and maintain the same relationship between main ideas and supporting points.
  - Use synonyms (words or expression which have a similar meaning) where appropriate. Key words that are specialised subject vocabulary do not need to be changed.
  - If you want to retain unique or specialist phrases, use quotation marks (“ “).
  - Change the grammar and sentence structure. Break up a long sentence into two shorter ones or combine two short sentences into one. Change the voice (active/passive) or change word forms (e.g. nouns, adjectives).
  - Change the order in which information/ideas are presented, as long as they still make sense in a different order.
  - Identify the attitude of the authors to their subject (i.e. certain, uncertain, critical etc.) and make sure your paraphrase reflects this. Use the appropriate reporting word or phrase.
Review your paraphrase to check it accurately reflects the original text but is in your words and style.
Record the original source, including the page number, so that you can provide a reference.

What and how Summarizing

What is a summary?

A summary is an overview of a text. The main aim of summarising is to reduce or condense a text to its most important ideas. Leave out details, examples and formalities. Summarising is a useful skill for making notes, writing an abstract/synopsis, and incorporating material in assignments.

When to summarise

Summarise long sections of work, like a long paragraph, page or chapter.

To outline the main points of someone else's work in your own words, without the details or examples.
To include an author's ideas using fewer words than the original text.
To briefly give examples of several differing points of view on a topic.
To support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.

How to summarise

The amount of detail you include in a summary will vary according to the length of the original text, how much information you need, and how selective you are.

Start by reading a short text and highlighting the main points.
Reread the text and make notes of the main points, leaving out examples, evidence, etc.
Rewrite your notes in your own words; restate the main idea at the beginning plus all major points.

Extended Essay: Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quotations