Source Documentation for the Synthesis Essay

What are parenthetical citations? short references included in the text of your paper or project show your reader that the information in your paper or project is borrowed give credit to the original source

When should you use parenthetical citations? When you QUOTE a source When you PARAPHRASE a source When you SUMMARIZE a source

Quoting Sources Quotations must be identical to the original source. Quote only words, phrases, lines, and passages that are particularly interesting or unusual and keep all quotations as brief as possible.  Changes must not be made in the spelling, capitalization, or punctuation of the quote.  You must attribute all quotes to the original author. Avoid over quoting. Weaving quotes into your own writing will ensure that your voice is heard.

Sample In-Text Citation-Quoting Paulson and Paulson concede that their student teachers “discovered that the need to tailor a portfolio was influenced by how much personal risk could result were they to bare their own perspectives.” One study found that teachers “discovered that the need to tailor a portfolio was influenced by how much personal risk could result were they to bare their own perspectives” (Source A).

Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft.” I agree with this statement.

Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft.” This is a valid point.

Source A says, “Women should be required to register for the draft,” a valid point that emphasizes the inequality…

“Women should be required to register for the draft,” as Source A, in his discussion of the inequalities in the present system, argues with clarity.

Pointing out the obvious inequity in the current system, Source A argues that “Women should be required to register for the draft.”

The solution to this inequality is obvious: “Women should be required to register for the draft (Source A).”

Paraphrasing Paraphrasing involves putting a passage –phrase by phrase– from your source into your own words.  Your paraphrase should be of equal or shorter length than the original passage.  Remember: a paraphrase is a complete rewriting, not just a rearrangement of the words.  A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source.

Examples of a Parenthetical Citations-Paraphrasing One of the biggest issues facing senior citizens today is the problem of mental health issues. By the year 2030 there will be an estimated 15 million senior citizens with mental health concerns (Clinton).

Parenthetical Citation Actual text from an article to be cited “Within the heart of almost every technical communicator beats the desire to practice our craft independently. We dream of writing that perfect technical communication equivalent of the great novel on timelines that we set and within budgets that are totally under our control. To try to realize the dream, we might take that road less traveled-- independent technical communicator, also known as freelancer.” Parenthetical Citation Hanigan (2005) says most technical communicators want to work independently.

Summarizing Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) of a passage into your own words.  Summaries are significantly shorter than the original because they are limited to only the main ideas.  You must be careful not to change or distort the meaning of the original work.  Again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source.

Some Important Reminders: Never leave a quote or paraphrase by itself – you must introduce it, explain it, and show how it relates to your thesis. Direct quotations should be used selectively. The majority of your paper should be written in your own words. Each quote, paraphrase, or summary has to have an assertion and explanation.