Citations & Plagiarism: Incorporating Resources into Work

Quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing are three techniques to incorporate the ideas from another source into your paper.​

However, simply including that information is NOT enough. You must explain WHY the quote/paraphrase/citation that you include is IMPORTANT to YOUR argument.​

A good rule of thumb is to include at least one sentence explaining the significance of the quote/paraphrase/citation.​

When quoting from an original source:

• Uses the exact words of the original source.​
• Use quotation marks to signal to your readers that the text is from another source and not your own thoughts.​

Signaling a quote​

• Use a signal phrase: Author X says, "abcdefghijklmnop" (222). ​

• Include the quotation in your own explanation: Implementing an earlier curfew unfairly targets low-income youth whose income is "crucial for family finances" (Author 222).​

When to use:​

• The author uses language that you think is particularly powerful or clear.​
• You are establishing another author's position.​
• You are using a statement as evidence for your own argument​

A paraphrase rewords a passage from an original source, keeping the same ideas but restating them in a new way.​

• It is often the same length, or just a bit shorter than the original.​
• It is often used to help shape meaning.​
• Borrow no more than 3 words from original (this is a grey area, but a good rule of thumb).​

5-Step process:​

1. Read & reread the passage (until you understand its meaning)​
2. Note essential elements (claim, explanation)​
3. Set aside the original​
4. Write your paraphrase​
5. Double-check that what you wrote differs from the original