• Direct quotation
• Paraphrase
• Summary

Direct Quotation

Use a direct quotation to support an idea by

1. Citing a powerful passage (too apt to be paraphrased effectively) from the original source;
2. Borrowing authority from experts in the field; or
3. Illustrating false reasoning or inaccurate information inherent in the text.

When direct quotation is necessary, observe the following rules:

• Placing quotation marks around passages fewer than four lines and cite them within the text.
• Set off longer passages (more than four lines)by pressing the TAB key twice(tenspaces from the left hand margin). Delete the quotation marks.
• Do not alter the original wording, spelling, or punctuation.
• Use [sic] when an editorial insert for correction or clarification is necessary.
• Use three spaced periods (ellipsis Points) to indicate the omission in the quoted passage. Save the fourth period for the end of the sentence (after the MLA parenthetical citation).
• Use a lead-in sentence (at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end) in order to present the quotation.
• Make sure that the quotation blends in with the writing that comes before and after it.
• Elaborate on the quoted material by explaining its significance, implications, etc.
• Use parts of a long passage, instead of quoating the entire passage, within the context of your own writing.
• Use single quotation marks for a quotation within a quotation (within the text). If the quotation is set off from the text, than use double quotation marks.
• Show independent analytical thinking by not using too many quotations. Ordinarily, direct quotations should not exceed ten percent of your research paper.
• Follow MLA guidelines for documentation. See The College Writer's Reference (CR), chapter 53.

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Paraphrase

Use a praphrase to

1. Bridge the gulf between your own writing and the original;
2. Reproduce passages that are too complicated for the reader to grasp;
3. Demonstrate clear understanding of the work; and
4. Integrate source information clearly.

When paraphrase is necessary, observe the following rules:

• Look up all the difficult words in the dictionary to make certain that you understand the passage. Misreading or misinterpreting a source constitutes plagerism through "inaccurate paraphrasing."
• Rewrite the original in about the same number of words without looking at the source. Pretend that you are explaining the passage to another student.
• Rewrite the original in your own language, so that the paraphrase will blend smoothly with your own writing. Simply changing the words-without rearranging sentence patterns-would constitute plagiarism through"inadequate paraphrasing".
• Retain when appropriate, some of the key words and phrases from the original enclosed within quotation marks.
• Follow MLA guidelines for documentation (CR 53). You don't need quotation marks around the paraphrase.

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Summary

Use summary to compress a longer piece in order to present the highlights of the source in a nutshell.

When summary is necessary,observe the following rules.

• Look up the difficult words in the dictionary to make certain that you understand the text. Misreading or misrepresenting a souce constitutes plagiarism through "inaccurate summarizing".
• Reproduce a condensed version of the original in your own language.
• Focus on the key ideas, the highlights of the passage-deleting lengthy or unnecessary details. (Use transitional words or phrases to connect various ideas reflected in the summary.)
• Do not project your opinion or personal bias into the summary.
• Retain, when appropriate, some of the apt words and phrases from the original within the quotation marrks.
• Follow MLA guidlines for documentation (CR 53). You don't need quotation marks around the summary.

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