Quotation, Summary or Paraphrase?

Decide whether to use a quotation, summary or paraphrase. Read the advice

and/or answer the questions in this presentation to help you choose.

There are 3 people involved in this decision:

the author of the text you are referencing

the writer (you) the reader (often your English

teacher).

When should I paraphrase?

When the authors' words will be difficult for your reader to understand.

When your reader is your teacher and your teacher wants to know if you understand the author correctly.

When should I quote? When the language is especially vivid or

expressive. When exact wording is needed for technical

accuracy. When the words of an authority lend weight to

an argument. When the language of a source is the topic of

your discussion (as in an analysis or interpretation).

See Rules page 469

When should I summarize?

If not all of the authors’ words are necessary; e.g. if the author gives examples or explanations that you don't need to put in your text.

If paraphrasing or quoting will make your text too long.

Still not sure?

If not, answer the questions below and the computer will help you to decide. Or go to the CILL webpage

for interactivity at

http://elc.polyu.edu.hk/cill/refchoice.htm#Use%20a

%20quotation

The first question is to help you decide whether to use a paraphrase. Do you think that your reader will understand what the author wrote?

a. Yes, I think the reader will understand.b. No, I'm not sure if the reader will understand.c. I'm sure the reader will not understand.

O.K You think that your reader will understand. The second question to help you to decide whether to use a paraphrase is, 'Do you need to show the reader that you understand the author'?

a. Yes, my reader wants to check to see if I understand.

b. No, it's not necessary.

c. I'm not sure.

Now you need to choose between a quotation and a summary. Ask yourself, 'Is every word that the author wrote essential'?

a. Yes, everything is important.

b. No, there are some things I can miss out, such as examples and explanations.

c. I'm not sure.

To help you to decide you need to think about your word limit. Is the text too long to quote?

a. Yes, I will go over my word limit.

b. No, it's not too long.

The text is not too long. The next question to help you decide is, 'Have you already written a summary in your text'?

a. Yes, I've already done a summary.

b. No, I haven't done a summary yet.

You have already done a summary, so now you can choose between a quotation and a paraphrase. Ask yourself, 'Have I already done a quotation in my text'?

a. Yes, I have.

b. No, I haven't.

Use a Paraphrase

Use a paraphrase to explain what the author says to your

reader.

Use a Quotation

If the quotation is one or two lines long you can include it

inside a paragraph. If it is more than 2 lines you should put it in

a separate paragraph and indent it from both sides

Use a Summary

A summary should contain the main points from the

author's text.