Writing with Sources How to Help Students Avoid Misusing Source Material in Their Work Ted Roggenbuck—Bloomsburg University Writing Center

Credible and Ethical Use of Source Material I. Direct Quotation II. Summary and Paraphrase

I am confident that I know how to write ethically with sources. 1.Strongly Agree 2.Agree 3.Disagree 4.Strongly Disagree Response Counter

On a blank piece of paper, paraphrase the paragraph below from Doris Lessing’s The Prisons We Choose to Live Inside. The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (Lessing 49-50)

Possible Responses to Upcoming Questions 1.The sample is accurate and ethical 2.Not enough credit for language 3.Not enough credit for ideas 4.Misrepresentation of source

GOOD DIRECT QUOTATION? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY DIRECT QUOTATION OF THE ORIGINAL While I believe that humans should behave in a civilized manner, Doris Lessing thinks of us as animals: “We are group animals” (49-50). 1.The sample is accurate and ethical 2.Not enough credit for language 3.Not enough credit for the idea 4.Misrepresentation of the source Response Counter

GOOD DIRECT QUOTATION? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY DIRECT QUOTATION OF THE ORIGINAL While I believe that humans should behave in a civilized manner, Doris Lessing thinks of us as animals: “We are group animals” (49-50). MISREPRESENTATION—Quotation is placed in a new context that changes its meaning.

GOOD DIRECT QUOTATION? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY DIRECT QUOTATION OF THE ORIGINAL Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50). 1.The sample is accurate and ethical 2.Not enough credit for language 3.Not enough credit for the idea 4.Misrepresentation of the source Response Counter

GOOD DIRECT QUOTATION? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY DIRECT QUOTATION OF THE ORIGINAL Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50). 1.MISREPRESENTATION 2.Omitted words change the meaning of the original.

What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) I’m going to use another author’s language exactly as it appeared in the original. Doris Lessing says that [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50). What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) I’m going to use another author’s language exactly as it appeared in the original. Doris Lessing says that “ [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50).

What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) I have to make a change to another author’s language. Doris Lessing says that we are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50). What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) I have to make a change to another author’s language. Doris Lessing says that “ [ w ] e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50). (CMS and APA do not require editorial brackets for uppercase and lowercase changes)

What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) I’m finished using another author’s language; after this I am using my own language again. Doris Lessing says that [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us(49-50). What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) I’m finished using another author’s language; after this I am using my own language again. Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us ” (49-50).

What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) This idea can be found on these pages of the original source. You can consult my works cited or reference page for information about how to get to that source. Doris Lessing says that [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us What Punctuation Says to Readers ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) This idea can be found on these pages of the original source. You can consult my works cited or reference page for information about how to get to that source. Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50).

Two Tools for Giving Credit “Credit for language”—Quotation Marks Credit for ideas–name and parenthetical information. (page numbers or other information)

I am still confident that I know how to write ethically with sources. 1.Strongly Agree 2.Agree 3.Disagree 4.Strongly Disagree Response Counter

Summary & Paraphrase

GOOD PARAPHRASE? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINAL GOOD PARAPHRASE? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINAL I am a firm believer that while it is fine for us to always be in groups, what might be harmful to us is not realizing how we are affected by them. 1.The sample is accurate and ethical 2.Not enough credit for language 3.Not enough credit for the idea 4.Misrepresentation of the source Response Counter

GOOD PARAPHRASE? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINAL GOOD PARAPHRASE? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINAL I am a firm believer that while it is fine for us to always be in groups, what might be harmful to us is not realizing how we are affected by them. 3.PLAGIARIZED IDEA—WHAT HAVE I DONE TO ACKNOWLEDGE TO MY READERS THAT THE IDEA COMES FROM DORRIS LESSING. EVEN IF I AM USING MY OWN LANGUAGE, I NEED TO CREDIT MY SOURCES FOR THEIR IDEAS.

GOOD SUMMARY? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL GOOD SUMMARY? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL In “Group Minds” Doris Lessing claims that what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, but not understanding the group laws that govern us (49-50). 1.The sample is accurate and ethical 2.Not enough credit for language 3.Not enough credit for the idea 4.Misrepresentation of the source Response Counter

GOOD SUMMARY? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL GOOD SUMMARY? ORIGINAL The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) MY SUMMARY OF THE ORIGINAL In “Group Minds” Doris Lessing claims that what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, but not understanding the group laws that govern us (49-50). 2. Illegitimate Use of Language—Patchwriting—Plagiarism. To paraphrase is not to CHANGE another person’s language. That is editing. To paraphrase is to represent others’ ideas with our own language. The parenthetical reference (49-50) gives credit for the idea, not the language.

1.The sample is accurate and ethical 2.Plagiarized language 3.Plagiarized idea 4.Intentional Misrepresentation 5.Misrepresentation through error GOOD PARAPHRASE? ORIGINAL “Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12). MY PARAPHRASE In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12). Response Counter

MISUSE OF LANGUAGE or “Patchwriting” ORIGINAL “Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12). MY PARAPHRASE In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12). 2. Misuse of Language—Patchwriting—Plagiarism. To paraphrase is not to CHANGE another person’s language. That is editing. To paraphrase is to represent others’ ideas with our own language. The parenthetical reference (49-50) gives credit for the idea, not the language.

MISUSE OF LANGUAGE ORIGINAL “Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12). MY PARAPHRASE In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).

DO FACULTY WANT THIS FROM STUDENTS? ORIGINAL “Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12). PARAPHRASE In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).

The replacing of synonyms and changing of words similar to the previous slides basically represents what I previously understood to be paraphrase. 1.Strongly Agree 2.Agree 3.Disagree 4.Strongly Disagree Response Counter

Why This Might be Confusing You have always done this, and nobody has said there was a problem 1. Your teachers --can’t change font color to make it stand out --may not have the original in front of him/her --have 50 to 100 papers to respond to --might not want to accuse you of “plagiarism” because “patchwriting” is not the same as downloading a paper

Editing vs. Paraphrase Paraphrase is not editing or changing another’s language. Paraphrase is stating another’s idea in your own language.

STRATEGY—BECOME PROACTIVE Bring drafts and sources and questions to faculty before you turn work in to be evaluated. When paraphrasing –Read and interpret the idea to yourself. –Close the book/laptop/screen. –Paraphrase what you understand. –Reread the original asking two questions a)Am I illegitimately borrowing language? b)Have I adequately captured the idea? –If you are satisfied, move on. If not, do it again. Come to the writing center and talk to us. Come to the writing center and talk to us.

STRATEGY—BECOME PROACTIVE Bring drafts and sources and questions to faculty before you turn work in to be evaluated. When paraphrasing –Read and interpret the idea to yourself. –Close the book/laptop/screen. –Paraphrase what you understand. –Reread the original asking two questions a)Am I illegitimately borrowing language? b)Have I adequately captured the idea? –If you are satisfied, move on. If not, do it again. Come to the writing center and talk to us. Come to the writing center and talk to us.

Works Cited Lessing, Doris. The Prisons We Choose to Live Inside. Toronto: CBC Enterprises, Print. Ong, Walter. “The Writer’s Audience Is Always a Fiction.” PMLA 90.1 (1975): Print.