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source_integration2-2.pptSource Integration: Paraphrase, Summary, and Direct Quotations
By Richard Samuelson
“[A] quotation is a handy thing to have about, saving one the trouble of thinking for oneself, always a laborious business.” (The Record Lie)― A.A. Milne, If I May
“The problem with quotes on the internet is you never know if they are genuine.” (Official Autobiography)― Joseph Stalin
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Summary
Definitions: Summary
- A shortened, personalized version of the text you’re working with. It may be a whole essay shortened to a sentence, or a passage that is only slightly shorter.
- It needs to be cited! Both in-text and in the Works Cited page.
- It should be in your own words.
- Use quote marks to identify unique terms or phrases borrowed exactly from the source.
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Definitions: Paraphrase
- A restatement of a passage in your own words. It doesn’t necessarily shorten the work, but it should be more than just a few changed words.
- It needs to be cited! Both in-text and in the Works Cited page.
- Is a more detailed restatement than a summary (although they’re often used interchangeably).
- Use quote marks to identify unique terms or phrases borrowed exactly from the source.
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Summarizing/Paraphrasing Effectively
- Here are some best practices that will help you summarize or paraphrase successfully:
1) Reread the original passage you intend to summarize or paraphrase.
2) Set the original aside. Do not look at it as you write.
4) Leave helpful notes. When you’re finished with the summary/paraphrase, write a comment about the subject, how you intend to use it, and (most importantly) where you got it from.
3) After you’re done, check to make sure it accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.
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Summarizing/Paraphrasing Examples
- Here are some examples:
- The original passage: “Students frequently overuse direct quotation 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): 46-7.
- A legitimate paraphrase: In research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 46-7).
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Summarizing/Paraphrasing Examples
- An acceptable summary: Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize quoted material in their research papers (Lester 46-7).
- A plagiarized version: Students often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probably only about 10% of the final copy should consist of directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes (Lester 46-7).
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Summarizing/Paraphrasing Examples
- An acceptable summary: Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize quoted material in their research papers (Lester 46-7).
- A plagiarized version: Students often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probably only about 10% of the final copy should consist of directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes (Lester 46-7).
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Direct Quotes
Definitions: Direct Quotes
- The exact words of your source, set off by quote marks. However, there are a few ways to do this:
- The Block Quote: A quote that is more than four lines long on the paper. It is indented and doesn’t have quote marks.
- The Mid-Sentence Direct Quote: A word, phrase, or sentence portion that you integrate into a portion of a sentence. It doesn’t stand on its own.
- The Full Sentence Direct Quote: A complete sentence, complete with punctuation. It might actually be two or three sentences long.
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Direct Quote Examples
Mid-sentence Quote:
Bounce houses have improved substantially in the past few years. They’re no longer “death traps for the unsuspecting,” as inspector Sawyer described.
Full Sentence Quotes:
A recent poll by the nationally-recognized organization “Poll’s R’ Us” indicates that bounce houses continue to have good public support: “It appears that bounce houses are just as popular as they were before the recession, despite their numerous scandals and safety issues” (Smith 14).
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Block Quote:
Direct Quote Examples
Not everyone is sold on bounce houses’ safety though. Inspector Sawyer describes the concerns of two national organizations:
The Environmental Protection Agency fears the potential environmental hazards posed by bounce houses, such as ground water contamination and aesthetic and noise pollution…Additionally, Children Safety Watch warns parents of the dangers of bounce house tipping. (Bounce House of Terror 35)
He continues by noting the fears of these agencies are based on inconclusive studies and unsupported claims.
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Using Direct Quotes Effectively
Best practices for using direct quotes effectively:
1) Read the passage repeatedly. Make sure you understand its context and purpose in the source.
2) Assess whether the passage is worth quoting. Would a summary/paraphrase be better? Get a rough idea of how you might use it in your essay.
3) Determine which type of quote would be most effective. The block quote is only for sources that are hard to break down/are central to your point.
4) Use the quote sandwich method of integrating your quote.
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Quote Sandwich
- Top Bun: Set it up
- Middle: Trim it down
- Bottom Bun: Tie it in
Quote Sandwich
Top Bun--Introducing the Quote:
Prepare your audience for the quote by introducing the author, previewing the issue it addresses, and/or connecting from your previous point. There were “top buns” in the previous examples:
Bounce houses have improved substantially in the past few years. They’re no longer “death traps for the unsuspecting,” as inspector Sawyer described.
A recent poll by the nationally-recognized organization “Poll’s R’ Us” indicates that bounce houses continue to have good public support: “It appears that bounce houses are just as popular as they were before the recession, despite their numerous scandals and safety issues.”
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Quote Sandwich
The Middle--Meat and Fixings:
This is the actual quote. We try to avoid large block quotes for the same reason we don’t eat triple-decker, 2lb. hamburgers: it’s extremely difficult to take in because there’s just too much. Notice the omitted sentence(s) in the previous example:
The Environmental Protection Agency fears the potential environmental hazards posed by bounce houses, such as ground water contamination and aesthetic and noise pollution…Additionally, Children Safety Watch warns parents of the dangers of bounce house tipping. (Bounce House of Terror 35)
If you absolutely have to have a block quote, at least make sure you’ve started and ended in the right places and “trimmed the fat.”
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Quote Sandwich
The Bottom Bun--Commenting on the Quote :
The bottom bun highlights the significance of the quote by emphasizing a particular phrase or idea. It also can advance your main point by connecting the quote to the thesis (or a similar topic in the essay). Here are examples:
Bounce houses have improved substantially in the past few years. They’re no longer “death traps for the unsuspecting,” as inspector Sawyer described.
The inspector’s use of the phrase “death trap” shows just how emotionally charged this topic is and how important it is to rely on hard data before we pass judgment.
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Quote Sandwich
The Bottom Bun--Commenting on the Quote:
The bottom bun highlights the significance of the quote by emphasizing a particular phrase or idea. It also can advance your main point by connecting the quote to the thesis (or a similar topic in the essay). Here are examples:
A recent poll by the nationally-recognized organization “Poll’s R’ Us” indicates that bounce houses continue to have good public support: “It appears that bounce houses are just as popular as they were before the recession, despite their numerous scandals and safety issues” (Smith 14).
It’s true that bounce houses have had a bumpy road back into Americans’ good graces, but certainly their rise in popularity--as shown by this poll--shows that people are ready to give them another chance.
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Remember…
- Avoid plagiarism by clearly indicating where your source begins/ends and by using your own words and phrases while summarizing or paraphrasing.
- Use a variety of methods to integrate quotes within your essay: summary, paraphrase, short/medium/long quotes.
- Use the quote sandwich method of integrating quotes: lead into the quote with a “top bun,” trim the quote, and connect the quote with the “bottom bun.”
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