AP Language

Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing When to use quotations, paraphrases, or summaries Quotations Signaling & Integrating Rhetorically accurate signal verbs Announcing

 A quotation is the exact reproduction of someone’s words. Quotations must be attributed (cited).  A paraphrase is a slightly condensed version of an idea from another source written in your own words. Paraphrases must also be attributed.  A summary is a significantly condensed rendering of the main idea and key points of a source, written in your own words. Summarized ideas must be attributed. Remember! All of these must be cited. We cite ideas, not just words.

 Quotations  when the author’s words are particularly evocative or powerful  when the author’s point is so clear and concise that you can’t possible improve on it  when you want to refute a source and are concerned that your audience may worry that you are misrepresenting the source material. You will need to quote enough of the source so that the context and meaning are clear.  when the passage is difficult, dense, or rich and you need to analyze it closely. You will use this more often in rhetorical analysis.

 Quotations should ▪ be preceded by signal phrases or integrated into the writer’s sentence ▪ be followed by commentary that explains the significance of the material ▪ not be announced ▪ be properly cited

*Never leave a quotation naked! You wouldn’t wear clothes that only cover up the front-side or the back-side of your body, so don’t leave your quotation half naked either. *Thanks to Alexis Reichow for the analogy.

 Clothe the front ▪ Use a signal phrase (indicates that the language you are about to use is not your own) ▪ Columnist Dave Barry proposes, “…” ▪ Integrate the author’s words into your own, but remember to make it grammatically correct ▪ With typical sarcasm, Dave Barry asserts that “the first rule of Modern Advertising is never reveal what you are advertising.”  Clothe the back ▪ Explain the significance. Make clear to your reader what the evidence means and how it supports your argument.

 With Attribution (the author’s name is included in the sentence)  As Kiderra explains, “the striking impact of friends seems to be independent of whether or not the friends live in the same region” (Source G).  Without Attribution (the author’s name is NOT included in the sentence)  Startlingly, research has determined that “the striking impact of friends seems to be independent of whether or not the friends live in the same region” (Source G). **In a regular research paper (not AP Synthesis), the quotation would look more like this:  Startlingly, research has determined that, “the striking impact of friends seems to be independent of whether or not the friends live in the same region” (Kiderra 3).  Embedded within your own sentences (with and without attribution)  Kiderra claims that the “striking impact of friends” on an individual’s health and ultimately, weight, is so great that it s circle of influence transcends geography (Source G).  Regardless of how far away they may be, friends have a “striking impact” on an individual’s weight (Source G); having overweight friends may make it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight and sadly, may be a factor that some people will consider in their own lives.

 use a variety of signal verbs  choose signal words that match the rhetorical mode and tone of the source material.  For example…  If the writer argues, use argues, claims, contends, proposes.  If the writer makes a strong point, use words like asserts, emphasizes, insists, or declares.  If the writer describes a situation, use words like describes, illustrates, characterizes.  If the writer merely shares information, use a neutral word like observes, points out, or notes.

 Here are some suggested verbs. How many of these do you use…or know? Ideas acknowledgesclaimsdemonstratesfollowsnotesrefutes acceptscommentsdeniesgrantsobservesrejects addscomparesdisclosesillustratesoffers remarks admitsconcedesdisputesimpliespoints outreports addressesconfirmselaboratesinsistspostulatesresponds agreescontendselucidatesjustifiesproposesstates arguescritiquesemphasizesjuxtaposesquestionstestifies assertsdeclaresendorseslamentsrecognizesthinks believesdefendsevaluatesnegatesreasonswrites

 Announcing the quotation  Having overweight friends can negatively impact a person’s own ability to maintain a healthy weight. Source G demonstrates this danger in this quote: “the striking impact of friends seems to be independent of whether or not the friends live in the same region” (Source G).  Announcing the commentary  Source G claims that “the striking impact of friends seems to be independent of whether or not the friends live in the same region.” This quote shows how having overweight friends can negatively impact a person’s own weight.

California State University, Sacramento. Capella University Writing Center Online Writing Center at Purdue University. Texas A&M International University Writing Center.