EPW 733 Seminar in Composition Theory

Quoting, Paraphrasing & Summarizing

Why do we quote, paraphrase and

summarize in our writing?

Support claims

Add credibility

Give examples

Create distance

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/56302

Quoting: Weaving exact words into your text.

Paraphrasing: Restating information in your own words using your own sentences structures.

Summarizing: Stating the main ideas found in a source in your own words and does so more briefly than paraphrasing.

Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2nd Ed. (2009): 410

Use quotes when…Rewording will not do a quote justiceYou want to cite the exact words of a known

authorityOpinions challenge or disagree with those of othersThe source is one you want to emphasize

Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2nd Ed. (2009): 410-416

Guidelines for quotingUse relevant passagesFrame every quotationExplain the quotation

In your opinion, which of the two excerpts represents a more effective use of direct quotation?

What makes that excerpt more effective?Imagine you are the writer of the excerpt you

feel is less effective. What would you do to increase the effectiveness of the quotation?

Discussion:

Paraphrase when…Sources are not worth quoting but you need to include.

Guidelines for paraphrasing…Use your own words and sentence

structures.Use quotation marks Indicate the source

Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2nd Ed. (2009): 410-416

Original paragraph

Students frequently overuse direct quotations in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10 percent 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): 46-47.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/56302

Acceptable paraphraseIn 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 46-47).

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/56302

Summarize when…Main points are more important than details.

Guidelines for summarizing…Include only the main ideas; leave out the

details.Use your own words Indicate the source

Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2nd Ed. (2009): 410-416

Original paragraph

Students frequently overuse direct quotations in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10 percent 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): 46-47.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/56302

Acceptable summaryStudents should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of material in a research paper (Lester 46-47).

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/56302

What does plagiarism look like?

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 percent 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.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resources/56302

HomeworkPlease read the essay, “Nobody Has to Go to

School If They Don’t Want To,” by Roger Cipher. Then write in your journal

1-2 paragraph summary of the essay1 paragraph paraphrase of the essay’s conclusion1 example of a quotation from the text. Framed

and explained in the manner we discussed in class. Refer to Graff pages 46-47 for templates to help you.

Be sure to use appropriate citation! Specific citation information is included with the essay hand out.