Citing Sources & 6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

check

Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.

cite

In writing a paper or report, it means you show, in the body of your paper, where the words or information came from, using an appropriate formatting style.

jot

Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.

paraphrase

One way to use a text in your own writing without directly quoting source material. Anytime you are taking information from a source that is not your own, you need to specify where you got that information.

record

Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

reread

Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.

set aside

Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.

quoting

Taking the exact words from an original source is called quoting. You should quote material when you believe the way the original author expresses an idea is the most effective means of communicating the point you want to make. If you want to borrow an idea from an author, but do not need his or her exact words, you should try paraphrasing instead of quoting.

plagiarism

The process or practice of using another person's ideas or work and pretending that it is your own.

quotation marks

Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.

signal phrase

a short introduction phrase that indicates that a quote or paraphrase is coming. By introducing a quotation or paraphrase with a signal phrase, you provide an effective transition between your own ideas and the evidence used to explore your ideas. One of the best ways to let readers know more about your source is to use a signal phrase. Signal phrases help readers "move from your own words to the words of a source without feeling a jolt" (Hacker 406).