Quotes & Paraphrases

---

Quotes, Paraphrases & In-Text Citations

1.    Defining your terms
Quotes: exact reproductions of the original text
Paraphrases: a rewriting of the original text in your own words

2.     Uses of Quotes
•   the original is especially well-written
•   you plan to discuss the implications of the wording

3.     Misquotation
•  add an extra word. (Use: [They])
•  change the grammar
•  delete a few words (Use: ...)
•  change a word you disagree with (eg, spokesman - Use: [sic])

4.     Mechanics of Quoting
•   acknowledge your sources in your text
•   splice quotations onto your own words
•   use ellipsis to shorten quotations
•   use citation format appropriate to discipline

5.      Useful Strategies
* make your sources speak
* use your sources to ask questions
* converse with your sources
* find your own voice
* expand on the implications
* provide an on-going analysis
* quote when language is important
(Source: Rosenwaser and Steven, 1997, pp. 137-158)

6.      Paraphrasing
 •    improve on original
 •   useful verbs (see p.   )
 •   pitfalls

7.      Footnotes

1John McKernan, The Writer's Handbook. 2nd ed. (Fort Worth: Harcourt, 1971), 478-479.

Questions:

1.      Which do you do more often: quote, paraphrase or summarise? Why?
2.      Does your major discipline use footnotes?
3.      What kinds of sources do you use for references in your papers?

"Quote only when the author's words are especially vivid, memorable, questionable, strange or witty. Paraphrase the rest." (Van Leunan, p. 48).