Writing with Sources: Quoting, Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Summary

The University Writing Center's video educates on integrating sources in academic writing. It underscores the importance of using sources for credibility, guiding readers, and joining academic discourse. The video outlines three key methods: quoting (using exact words for essential messages), paraphrasing (rewording in one's own words when exact wording isn't crucial), and summarizing (condensing the main points). Each technique must be properly cited to avoid plagiarism, with examples provided in APA format. The video also directs viewers to additional resources for further guidance.

Takeaways

• 📚 Incorporating sources adds credibility to academic writing by leveraging the research of others in the discipline.
• 🔍 Utilizing sources helps readers follow the writer's argument more easily and provides resources for further exploration.
• 🔗 Sources allow writers to engage in the academic conversation within a specific discipline.
• ✏️ There are three primary techniques for integrating sources: quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.
• 🔗 Quoting involves using the exact words from a source, which is crucial when the author's precise language is necessary to convey the message.
• 📝 Paraphrasing is recommended when the source's exact wording is not essential and the information can be conveyed more succinctly in the writer's own words.
• 📖 Summarizing provides an overview of a source's main points, which is useful for introducing a topic or when specific details are not required.
• ⚠️ Always cite the original source when quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing to avoid plagiarism.
• 📑 APA format is used in the video examples for citation, but the specific citation style depends on the discipline.
• 💡 Signal phrases are used to introduce quotes and paraphrases, guiding the reader to the source material.
• 📈 The video offers additional resources, including handouts and FAQs, to assist with using sources effectively in academic writing.

Q & A

Why do academic writers incorporate source material into their work?

Academic writers use source material to lend credibility to their arguments, show what research informs their thinking, and provide resources for readers to explore for their own projects, thereby entering the academic conversation in a given discipline.

What are the three primary techniques used to integrate sources into academic writing?

The three primary techniques are quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing. Quoting involves using language directly from a source, paraphrasing means putting the source information into your own words, and summarizing requires briefly stating the main points of a source.

What is the proper way to cite sources in academic writing?

Sources must always be cited to avoid plagiarism. The citation style used depends on the discipline and the specific requirements of the writing context. In this video, examples are provided in APA format.

When should you use quoting in your academic writing?

Quoting is best used when the exact wording of a source is essential to reflect the author's message. It should be followed by discussion that explains and strengthens the connection between your writing and the quotation.

How can you effectively paraphrase a source in academic writing?

Effective paraphrasing involves putting the source information into your own words, ensuring it is more succinct or clearer in your writing voice. It should be introduced with a signal phrase and followed by a discussion connecting the paraphrased material to your argument.

What is the purpose of summarizing in academic writing?

Summarizing is used to give an overview of a source, explaining the overall message more efficiently than long quotations or paraphrasing. It focuses on main points rather than specific details and can serve as an introduction to a quotation or paraphrase.

How do you differentiate between paraphrasing and summarizing?

Paraphrasing is a line-by-line restating of selected source material in your own words, while summarizing is a brief restating of the overall passage. Paraphrasing focuses on specific details, whereas summarizing focuses on the main points.

What are some tips for using ellipses in academic writing?

Ellipses can be used to omit portions of a quote that are not necessary to convey the meaning. It is important to ensure that the remaining quote still makes sense and accurately represents the original source.

Why is it important to discuss the connection between your writing and the source after quoting or paraphrasing?

Discussing the connection helps to explain and strengthen the relevance of the source material to your argument, ensuring that the reader understands how the source supports your points and contributes to the overall credibility of your work.

Where can viewers find additional resources on using sources in academic writing?

Additional resources can be found on the University Writing Center's website, where viewers can download handouts, read FAQs, and access related videos that discuss strategies for working sources into writing and the differences between the three ways to use sources.

How can UofL community members access the University Writing Center for further assistance?

UofL community members can visit the University Writing Center in person or virtually to receive further assistance and guidance on using sources in academic writing.