Summary Paraphrase and Quotation Ch 1 A brief

Summary, Paraphrase, and Quotation { Ch. 1

A brief statement, in your own words, of the content of a passage. Central idea Main points No opinions! What is a summary?

Brevity Completeness objectivity Three qualities of a good summary!

A way to understand what you’ve read Useful to your readers Required frequently Using the Summary

Perceive the shape of the argument Grasp the central idea Determine the main points Relate the parts to the whole Note key examples The Reading Process

Examine the context Note the title and subtitle Identify the main point Identify the subordinate points Break the reading into sections Distinguish between points, examples, counterarguments Watch for transitions within and between paragraphs Steps for Critical Reading

The most general statement of a summary Contains the TOPIC and the CLAIM Paragraphs contain supporting details Write a Thesis

Like a summary, recasting a passage into your own words BUT, same length as original Paraphrase

If the language of the original text is Dense Abstract Archaic Confusing Why paraphrase?

Make sure you understand the source passage Substitute your own words for those of the source passage; look for synonyms that carry the same meaning as the original words Rearrange your own sentences so that they read smoothly How to paraphrase

Summary Best when shortening long material like a book or an article Paraphrase Best for difficult passages To summarize or paraphrase?

Records the exact language used by someone in speech or writing Should be used sparingly Quotations

Direct When you record precisely the language of another Ex. Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. ” Indirect When you report what someone has said without repeating the words exactly as spoken (or written) Ex. Franklin D. Roosevelt said that we have nothing to fear but fear itself. Quotations

When another writer’s language is particularly memorable and will add interest and liveliness to your paper When another writer’s language is so clear and economical that to make the same point in your own words would by comparison, be ineffective When you want the solid reputation of a source to lend authority and credibility to your own writing When to quote

Quote only the part of the sentence or paragraph that you need Incorporate the quotation into the flow of your own sentence Avoid freestanding quotations Use ellipses when needed Use brackets to add or substitute words Using quotations in a sentence

Summarize To present the main points of a lengthy passage (article or book) To condense peripheral points necessary to discussion Paraphrase To clarify a short passage To emphasize main points Quote To capture another writer’s particularly memorable language To capture another writer’s clearly and economically states language To lend authority and credibility to your own writing Review

Cite all quoted material and all summarized and paraphrased material, unless the information is common knowledge Make sure that both the wording and the sentence structure of your summaries and paraphrases are substantially your own Avoiding Plagiarism