Some of the most dreadful words a student can hear: ‘For this assignment, you’ll need to properly integrate, quote, an”analyze at least 10 scholarly sources.’
You know that nails-on-chalkboard sound? Yeah, that’s pretty much the audible embodiment of the classroom’s collective reaction at this moment’
Mastering how to paraphrase, quote, and summarize outside source material is one of the trickier aspects of academic writing. On the surface, it seems simple enough – just reword things in your own voice and sprinkle in a few quotes, right?
Wrong.
Improper citation can quickly devolve into accusations of plagiarism or sloppy, incoherent writing. But never fear, by internalizing a few best practices for harnessing sources cleanly and compliantly, you can incorporate quality source material like a pro!
Paraphrasing the Right Way
When it comes to how to paraphrase a quote or passage from a source correctly, it means restating the original ideas in your own words. When done well, it shows comprehension of the source material while integrating it seamlessly into your own writing. However, it’s not as simple as just swapping a few words here and there.
To paraphrase correctly, you need to capture the full meaning and intent of the original passage using entirely new phrasing and sentence structure. Avoid just rearranging the source text or borrowing too closely from the vocabulary and grammar. The final paraphrased version should read completely naturally as your own voice.
For example, let’s say the original source said: ‘The internet has transformed modern life by revolutionizing how people communicate, learn, and access information.’
A bad paraphrase would be: ‘The internet altered current life by changing how people interact, get knowledge, and obtain data.’
A good paraphrase maintains the meaning using fresh wording: ‘Our daily existence has been radically reshaped by the internet’s disrup”o the way we connect, educate ourselves, and acquire information.’
Effectively Utilizing Quotes
While paraphrasing is often preferable, sometimes using a direct quote from a source is more appropriate and impactful. Whether capturing a compelling idea verbatim or analyzing specific word choices, quotes can add emphasis and authority.
However, quotes should be used judiciously and surrounded by enough analysis and commentary from you. Too many quotes bog down the narrative and make it seem like the sources are doing all the talking instead of you. Aim to have quotes comprise no more than 10-15% of the overall paper.
When employing quotes, proper attribution and citation formatting is critical to avoiding plagiarism accusations. Always introduce quotes with signal phrases like “According to researcher X…” and enclose them in quotation marks.
The Art of Summarizing
Summarizing involves briefly restating only the core, high-level ideas from a source – omitting the granular details and examples. Summaries are useful for giving an overview of a particularly important or lengthy source.
The key to good summarizing is distilling the essence as concisely and objectively as possible. Don’t inject your own opinions, interpretations or flourishes. Keep summaries clear, factual and free of unnecessary embellishments.
Boost Your Paraphrasing Game With Litero.AI
Paraphrasing sources effectively and striking the right balance of quotations and summaries is tricky. That’s where Litero.ai’s innovative AI writing capabilities can be a game-changer for busy students.
In addition to containing a standard word processor, plagiarism checker and bibliography builder, Litero.AI has unique AI-powered paraphrasing tools. With the tap of a button, you can have passages instantly rephrased at varying levels of rewriting. Or even easily expand or condense text as needed.
Instead of racking your brain trying to paraphrase things “just right,” Litero.ai delivers multiple dynamic paraphrasing options with AI-powered ease. The AI handles the drudgery so you can focus on analysis and argumentation. See for yourself how this advanced writing tool can streamline incorporating sources properly and compliantly.