From Research to Writing . . . HOW?

Why do we cite sources?•To let our readers know how we arrived at our conclusions (gives more credibility to our ideas)

•To stand on the shoulders of the scholars who came before us – and allow others to stand on our shoulders

•Because giving credit to others is the honest thig to do!

What should I cite?

• Direct quotations

• Someone else’s unique ideas (in a paraphrase)

• Statistics

• Diagrams, images, sound clips

I don’t have to cite:

• My own ideas or conclusions

• Things that are “commonly known” by my audience

How to paraphrase1. Read the other person’s idea/opinion several times, until you understand it.

2. Close the book/website/article.

3. Say your understanding of the idea out loud, to yourself or to someone else.

4. Write out the idea/opinion – that will be your paraphrase.

5. Make sure to include the person’s name/affiliation in your paraphrase.

6. Check back with the original.

7. Don’t forget to write down where you found this info so you can cite it!

Example:

Education researchers Rodrigues, Sabino, and Zhou claim that using social networking media in online classrooms allows students to play a more active role in their learning, rather than a passive role as absorbers of information (1152).

Person’s name or affiliation

In-text citation tells the reader where you found

this information.

Integrating your paraphrase

Make a “sandwich” with your research information: Start with your point (the topic sentence of

the paragraph).

Use a transitional phrase or word to bring in your research.

End with your conclusions or a summary of the research, in your own words.

Integrating the paraphrase

Although some teachers resist the idea of using Facebook in the classroom, there is evidence that incorporating such social media can benefit student learning. For example, education researchers Rodrigues, Sabino, and Zhou claim that using social networking media in online classrooms allows students to play a more active role in their learning, rather than a passive role as absorbers of information (1152). It seems possible that if research continues to support its use, more teachers will soon be encouraging their students to Tweet and Facebook in the classroom.

Topic sentence

tran

sitio

nre

sear

ch

End the paragraph with your summary/conclusions

P.S. Here’s how the two citation pieces fit together:

In text citation:

Education researchers Rodrigues, Sabino, and Zhou claim that . . . than a passive role as absorbers of information (1152).

Works Cited citation:Rodrigues, Jay, Frank Sabino, and Louise Zhou. “Enhancing

E-Learning Experience with Online Social Networks.” IET

Communications 5.8 (2011): 1147-1154. Academic Search

Premier. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.

P.S. Here’s how the two citation pieces fit together:

In text citation:

Education researchers Rodrigues, Sabino, and Zhou claim that . . . than a passive role as absorbers of information (1152).

Works Cited citation:Rodrigues, Jay, Frank Sabino, and Louise Zhou. “Enhancing

E-Learning Experience with Online Social Networks.” IET

Communications 5.8 (2011): 1147-1154. Academic Search

Premier. Web. 24 Oct. 2012.