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14 views2 pages

Wednesday

Uploaded by

P. Brightson khumba
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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“Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources”

Introduction
At the college level, students need to use sources responsibly to avoid plagiarism,
which involves using someone else’s work or ideas without proper credit. This guide assists
in avoiding plagiarism by explaining what needs to be documented, how to paraphrase
correctly, and how to use direct quotations.
1. What Must Be Documented
1. Quotations: When using an author’s exact words, they must be placed in quotation
marks and cited.
2. Information and Ideas: Presenting information or ideas from a source in one’s own
words still requires citation. This includes facts, theories, methods, or specific points.
3. Common Knowledge: General knowledge, like widely known facts or dates, does
not need to be cited, but specific words from a reference should be quoted and credited.
When in doubt, it is safer to cite.
2. Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from an author into one’s own
words. Proper paraphrasing is crucial to avoid plagiarism.
2.1 Examples of Paraphrases: Word for Word Plagiarism: Copying the source’s exact words
and structure without proper citation.
Patchwork Paraphrase: Mixing the author’s words with your own without using quotation
marks for borrowed phrases.
Legitimate Paraphrase: Changing the structure and words of the source material significantly
while citing the source.
2.2 Tips for Paraphrasing: Understand the passage as a whole before writing.
Be selective and summarize the relevant parts.
Imagine explaining the passage to someone unfamiliar with the topic.
Use direct quotations for specific phrases and shared language appropriately.
2.3. Methods of Paraphrasing: 1. Look Away and Write: Read the text until it is understood,
then write it in one’s own words without looking at the original.
2. Take Notes: Take brief notes, set them aside, then paraphrase from the notes later.
3. Change Structure, Then Words: Start by changing the structure of the passage, then
substitute different words to avoid copying.
3. Using Direct Quotations
Direct quotations should be used only when needed, like when the original wording is
especially strong or important.
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3.1. Reasons for Quoting: To support a point with an authority.
To present a position to critique.
To include significant or eloquent language.
To present well stated passages where meaning would be lost if paraphrased.
3.2. Introducing Quotations: To introduce a quote, mention the author and explain how the
quote relates to your writing. Use connecting words to make the quote fit naturally into your
text.
3.3. Formatting Quotations:
Short Quotations: Put the quote inside the text using quotation marks.
Long Quotations: Put the quote on a new line, indent it, and don’t use quotation marks.
4. Punctuation with Quotations:
1. Parenthetical Citations: Place citations outside quotation marks. Example: Menand (2002)
says language is “a social weapon” (p. 115).
2. Commas and Periods: Inside quotation marks when no citation follows.
Example: “Treating the Constitution as imperfect is not new,” says Hertzberg (2002).
3. Semicolons and Colons: Outside quotation marks.
Example: “Treating the Constitution as imperfect is not new”; Dahl’s “apostasy merits
attention” (p. 85).
4. Question Marks and Exclamation Points: Inside if part of the quote: Menand asks, “Is it a
dead classic?” (p. 114). Outside if part of the sentence: Did he say “academic misconduct”?
5. Quotations within Quotations: Use single quotation marks for quotes inside quotes.
Example: Dahl gives the U.S. Constitution “bad marks in ‘democratic fairness’” (p. 90).
5. Indicating Changes in Quotations
1. Ellipsis (. . .): Shows something is left out in a quote.
Example: “The quick brown fox . . . over the lazy dog.”
2. Square Brackets [ ]: Adds your words for clarity.
Example: “He [the president] said it was a good idea.”
3. [sic]: Indicates an error in the original quote.
Example: “She said, ‘I can’t wait to see [sic] you tomorrow.’”
Conclusion: Using quotations and punctuation correctly makes writing clear and accurate.
Short quotes go inside the text with quotation marks, while long quotes are indented on their
own. Citations should be outside the quotation marks, and punctuation rules must be
followed. This helps keep writing professional and makes it easier for readers to understand.

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