EPW 733 Seminar in Composition Theory Quoting, Paraphrasing & Summarizing

Why do we quote, paraphrase and summarize in our writing?

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Quoting: Weaving exact words into your text. Paraphrasing: Restating information in your own words using your own sentences structures. Summarizing: Stating the main ideas found in a source in your own words and does so more briefly than paraphrasing. Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2 nd Ed. (2009): 410

Use quotes when… Rewording will not do a quote justice You want to cite the exact words of a known authority Opinions challenge or disagree with those of others The source is one you want to emphasize Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2 nd Ed. (2009): Guidelines for quoting Use relevant passages Frame every quotation Explain the quotation

In your opinion, which of the two excerpts represents a more effective use of direct quotation? What makes that excerpt more effective? Imagine you are the writer of the excerpt you feel is less effective. What would you do to increase the effectiveness of the quotation? Discussion:

Paraphrase when… Sources are not worth quoting but you need to include. Guidelines for paraphrasing… Use your own words and sentence structures. Use quotation marks Indicate the source Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2 nd Ed. (2009):

Original paragraph Students frequently overuse direct quotations in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [ research] paper. Probably only about 10 percent of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers 2 nd Ed. (1976):

Acceptable paraphrase In research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim. (Lester 46-47).

Summarize when… Main points are more important than details. Guidelines for summarizing… Include only the main ideas; leave out the details. Use your own words Indicate the source Bullock, Richard. The Norton Field Guide To Writing. 2 nd Ed. (2009):

Original paragraph Students frequently overuse direct quotations in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [ research] paper. Probably only about 10 percent of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers 2 nd Ed. (1976):

Acceptable summary Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of material in a research paper (Lester 46-47).

What does plagiarism look like? Students often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probably only about 10 percent of the final copy should consist of directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes.

Homework Please read the essay, Nobody Has to Go to School If They Dont Want To, by Roger Cipher. Then write in your journal 1-2 paragraph summary of the essay 1 paragraph paraphrase of the essays conclusion 1 example of a quotation from the text. Framed and explained in the manner we discussed in class. Refer to Graff pages for templates to help you. Be sure to use appropriate citation! Specific citation information is included with the essay hand out.