USING SOURCES IN YOUR RESEARCH

PAPER

There are 2 ways to use source material in a paper: Direct Quotes Paraphrases

Direct Quotes--use when: The quote is relevant and purposeful Paraphrasing would lose, diminish, or confuse the original

meaning or intent Something is stated in a particularly interesting or effective

way

When using a direct quote: Introduce the quote Provide the quote Explain the quote

Introducing the quote: Signal to the reader that a direct quote will be used Identify the author or context Provide a smooth and appropriate transition to the quote Often referred to as a “lead-in”

Examples: According to Smith, “ . . . As stated by Hemingway himself, “ . . . Twain remarked in his memoirs, “ . . . In regards to this, The New York Times Book Review says, “ . . .

Providing the quote: Reproduce the original passage exactly Include unusual spelling, grammar, and punctuation Indicate changes made for the sake of clarity with brackets

[ ] Indicate omissions of original text with an ellipsis (three

spaced dots)

Examples: E. E. Cummings writes, “and eddieandbill come/running

from marbles and/piracies and it's/spring” “[Tom] said he did it just for the adventure of it, and ain’t it

just like women . . .”

Explaining the quote: Show how the quote relates to or supports your thesis Do not assume that your point is obvious to your reader Be clear and explicit—the quote is the icing, but your

explanation is the cake

A caution: Do not rely too heavily on direct quotes The bulk of your paper should be your words, even when you’re

discussing someone else’s ideas Assume your reader has read your primary source; reproducing

too much of it is tedious and unnecessary

Longer quotes: If your quote needs to be longer than a few lines, use a block

quote format Offset the entire quote an inch (two tabs) Continue to double space The parenthetical citation comes after the end punctuation in a

block quote.

Example:

In this regard, Johnson writes:A man who attempts to overcome adversity but fails is

no greater than the man who never tries. However, it is by continually trying that a man can finally overcome this adversity, find success, and achieve greatness. (Johnson 201)According to this belief, despite Yossarian’s . . .

Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing is using someone else’s idea, but putting it in your

own words Be sure to keep the author’s original meaning and intent Be sure to explain the relevance or meaning of the paraphrased

material

REMEMBER: Always give credit to the original author of the material,

whether you use a direct quote or a paraphrase