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Writing from Sources: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

Quoting: Definition, Purpose, and Key Guidelines

Quoting is defined as taking what the author said and repeating it word-for-word. This method is typically used for short phrases or sentences where the original wording carries precise meaning, authority, or a distinctive voice that the writer wants to preserve. Examples from the course include:

  • Example 1: “Darwin, it was believed, had simply discovered a new law of nature designed by God” (van Wyhe, 2011). This illustrates a short, exact quotation with a citation to the source.
  • Example 2: Susan Schulten said that “[i]nfographics flood the web, driven by accessible platforms that instantly translate information into a variety of graphic forms.” (2020). This shows a longer quoted segment that includes quotation marks inside the sentence and a citation.

A crucial reminder from the lesson is that forgetting any element of quoting can lead to plagiarism. When you rely on quotations, you must handle them carefully and accurately.

When to Quote

Quoting is appropriate in several specific circumstances:

  • The author’s words convey a powerful meaning that you want to present exactly as written.
  • You believe you cannot improve or simplify the wording any further.
  • You want to introduce the author’s stance using their own words to emphasize authority or authenticity.
  • You wish to provide concrete evidence to support your claims.
  • You want to highlight a particularly striking sentence the author wrote.
  • You need to make it explicit to readers that the words are not yours.

These situations guide decisions about whether to quote versus paraphrase.

How to Quote: The ICE Method

When you decide to quote, you should always use the ICE method:

  • Introduce: Mention the author’s full or last name, provide any necessary background, and use a signal verb to set up the quote.
  • Cite: The quotation should be enclosed in quotation marks and should follow the original capitalization and punctuation of the source.
  • Explain: After the quotation, explain its significance and relate it back to your argument.

Formatting and Minimal Edits to Quotations

Quoting should adhere to APA guidelines in terms of formatting and integration. Key rules include:

  • Enclose the copied text in quotation marks and preserve original capitalization and punctuation.
  • You may edit a quotation minimally to ensure a smooth transition between your writing and the source material.
  • If you insert your own words inside a quotation, use square brackets [ ] to indicate additions or clarifications. Example: “The activities in the [midyear] workshop were informative,” according to the teacher.
  • If you need to change capitalization within a quotation, use square brackets to show the alteration (e.g., “The activities in the workshop were informative.” becomes [t]he activities…).
  • If you want to remove words from a quotation, use ellipses (. . .) to indicate omission. Example: “The activities . . . were informative,” according to the teacher.
  • If you want to emphasize something within a quotation, you can use italics and note that the emphasis is added by you (e.g., “The activities . . . were informative [emphasis added],” according to the teacher).

Explaining Quotations

Do not forget to explain the quotations you used. Back up the quote with your own words, explanations, and reasoning. Consider these guiding questions:

  • What is the message of the quote?
  • What does the quote add to the points you are making?
  • Why is it important that you include this quote?
  • What are you trying to prove with this quote?

Examples of Quotations in Context

  • In their essay, “Filling in the Blanks,” Morris and Carmichael said that “[b]otany and painting were favored pursuits of genteel men and women in [the 1600s],” so many botany books had pictures that readers could paint. (Example from slides)
  • Another example underscores the use of brackets and capitalization changes within a quotation to fit the sentence structure of your writing.

Paraphrasing vs. Quoting: Quick Distinctions

  • Quoting is used for shorter phrases or sentences and is best when you want to present the author’s exact words.
  • Paraphrasing is used for longer sentences or a group of sentences and involves explaining the author’s ideas in your own words.

When to Quote Versus Paraphrase: Practical Guidelines

  • Always determine your purpose for including the external text. This is the central criterion for deciding whether to paraphrase or quote.
  • Ask yourself:
    • Is it more beneficial to present the external text in the author’s words or in mine?
    • Will an exact quotation enhance my point rather than replace it? If the answer is no, paraphrase instead.
  • Although quoting is typically associated with shorter texts, and paraphrasing with longer ones, purpose matters more than length. If a long quotation is necessary, you may use it, but you must explain the quotation afterward.

An Exercise to Distinguish Quotation and Paraphrase

Read the two sentences on the following slide and turn one into a quotation and the other into a paraphrase using the provided Source Text.

Source Text:
It was Elsie who had painted watercolor fairies, stuck them to hatpins, and arranged them in the foliage in front of Frances. It was Elsie who, using a complicated, old-fashioned camera to take her first-ever photo, managed to capture the strange, haunting image that would go down in history as the first Cottingley Fairy Photograph.

Examples and Applications from the Lesson

  • Example 1 (quoted): “Darwin, it was believed, had simply discovered a new law of nature designed by God” (van Wyhe, 2011).
  • Example 2 (quoted with bracketed emphasis): Susan Schulten said that “[i]nfographics flood the web, driven by accessible platforms that instantly translate information into a variety of graphic forms.” (2020).
  • Example 22 (quoted): In their essay, “Filling in the Blanks,” Morris and Carmichael said that “[b]otany and painting were favored pursuits of genteel men and women in [the 1600s],” so many botany books had pictures that readers could paint.

Paraphrasing vs. Quoting: Core Takeaways

  • Quoting preserves exact words and is useful for short phrases or sentences when the author’s wording is important.
  • Paraphrasing rephrases the author’s ideas in your own words and is suitable for longer passages or when you want to integrate ideas more fluidly into your analysis.
  • In practice, paraphrase and quotation are often used together: a quotation for a key claim followed by paraphrased interpretation or elaboration.

Wrap-Up and Practical Implications

Quoting and paraphrasing are not mutually exclusive; both are essential tools for academic writing. Use the ICE method to integrate quotations cleanly, cite them properly, and then explain their relevance to your argument. The purpose is to support your thesis, not to replace your voice with someone else’s words.

APA Guidelines and Formatting Notes

  • When quoting, follow APA formatting rules: introduce the quote, provide a citation, and explain its relevance.
  • If necessary, make minimal edits using brackets to adapt the quotation to your sentence structure, and use ellipses to indicate omitted material.
  • Always preserve the original meaning and provide appropriate attribution to the source.

Additional Examples and References

  • Example from the slides: “Quotations.” The Writing Center University of North Carolina. Accessed February 7, 2020. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/quotations/
  • Additional resources listed included: “Quoting and Paraphrasing.” The Writing Center University of Wisconsin–Madison; “Quoting, Paraphrasing, & Summarizing.” Ashford Writing Center; Purdue OWL’s guidance on quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

Source Text (for Practice Exercise)

It was Elsie who had painted watercolor fairies, stuck them to hatpins, and arranged them in the foliage in front of Frances. It was Elsie who, using a complicated, old-fashioned camera to take her first-ever photo, managed to capture the strange, haunting image that would go down in history as the first Cottingley Fairy Photograph.

Assessments and Review Questions

  • What is a possible consequence of misquoting?
  • What is the difference between quoting and paraphrasing?
  • How can using both paraphrasing and quoting improve your writing?

Bibliography (as listed in the Lesson)

  • McCombes, Shona. “How to Quote Sources: Introduce, Shorten and Cite Quotes.” Scribbr, January 31, 2020. https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/how-to-quote/
  • “Quotations.” The Writing Center University of North Carolina. Accessed February 7, 2020. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/quotations/
  • “Quoting and Paraphrasing.” The Writing Center University of Wisconsin-Madison. Accessed February 7, 2020. https://writing.wisc.edu/handbook/assignments/quotingsources/
  • “Quoting, Paraphrasing, & Summarizing.” Ashford Writing Center. Accessed February 5, 2020. https://writingcenter.ashford.edu/quoting-paraphrasing-summarizing
  • “Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing // Purdue Writing Lab.” Purdue Writing Lab. Accessed February 7, 2020. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/researchandcitation/usingresearch/quotingpara phrasingandsummarizing/index.html