Summary

What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

Quoting matches the original author’s work exactly. There are no differences whatsoever.  Must be attributed to the original author.

Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. Must be attributed to the author. Condensed version of a broader segment of the source material.

Summarizing Involves putting the main ideas in to your own words, including only the main ideas. Attribute the summarized ideas to the original source. Significantly shorter than the original.

Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?

·      Add credibility and provide support for claims.

·      Give examples of several points of view on the subject.

·      Call attention to a certain position you wish to agree or disagree with.

·      Highlight a particularly striking phrase in the original text.

·      Distance yourself from the original work. Show that it is not your own.

·      Expand the depth of your writing.

How to use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.

Read the entire text, noting the key points and main ideas.

·      Summarize in your own words what the single main idea of the essay is.

·      Paraphrase important supporting points that come up in the essay.

·      Consider any words, phrases, or brief passages that you believe should be quoted directly.