Using Sources Effectively
How can I use sources to accomplish my purposes as a writer?
My sources help me introduce ideas, contrast ideas of others, provide evidence for my points, define concepts, illustrate processes, clarify statements, set a mood, provide an example, and qualify or amplify a point. I can present information from my sources as a quotation, paraphrase or summary. As numerical information, or as illustrations such as images, audio, video, and animation.
Introduce an idea or argument. I can also use a quotation, paraphrase or summary to introduce an idea or argument to readers.
Contrast ideas or arguments. To indicate that disagreement exists on an issue, I can use source information to illustrate the nature and intensity of the disagreements.
Provide evidence for my argument. Providing evidence to support my assertions increases the likelihood that my readers will accept my arguments.
Align my argument with authority. Make an assertion then follow it with supporting information from a source like a quotation, paraphrase, or summary.
Define a concept, illustrate a process, or clarify a statement. Define a concept by quoting or paraphrasing a dictionary or encyclopedia, or use an illustration to help readers understand a complex process. Alos, use information from sources to clarify their statements.
Set a mood. I can choose quotations and illustrations with an eye toward establishing an overall mood for my readers.
Provide an example. It's often better to show with an example than to tell with a general description. Examples provide concrete evidence in my document.
Amplify or qualify a point. Use amplification to expand the scope of a point. Qualifications allow me to narrow the scope of a statement, reducing the possibility that my readers may misunderstand my meaning.
How can I integrate sources into my draft?
Identify my sources.
Use attributions and in-text citations. Distinguish my ideas with brief comments like, "according to" or, "as the author points out."
Provide a context. Establish why the quotation, paraphrase, or summary is reliable by identifying the source's credentials. Indicate how it relates to my main idea.
Quote strategically.
Use partial, complete, and block quotations. When I choose one type of quotation over another, consider the length and complexity of the passage as well as the obligation to convey ideas and information fairly.
Partial quotations. Can be a single word, phrase, or most of a sentence. Used to convey a well-turned phrase or to complete a sentence using important words from a source.
Complete quotations. Typically one or more complete sentences and are most often used when meaning of the passage cannot be conveyed adequately by a few well chosen words.
Block quotations. These are extended quotations typically 4 or more lines. Use a colon to introduce the quote, indent the entire quotation one inch from the left margin, and include source information according to the documentation system I am using.
Modify quotations as appropriate. It is acceptable to delete unnecessary words or to change the tense of a word in partial quotation so that is fits my sentence.
Punctuate quotations correctly.
Paraphrase information, ideas, and arguments.
A paraphrase is a restatement, in my own words, of a passage from a source. Paraphrases can be used to illustrate or support a point I make in my document.
Summarize
A summary is a concise statement, written in my own words, of information found in a source. I can summarize an entire source, or I can summarize specific ideas and information from a source. I can also summarize a group of sources with a collective summary.
Present numerical information
Use images, audio, video, and animations
How should I document my sources?
Choose a documentation system. MLA, APA, Chicago, CSE. These are all documentation systems my choice will be guided by the requirements of the research project.
Provide in-text references and publication information. Cite information in the text using parentheses and add a list of sources to my document.
Check for unattributed sources in my document. Include a complete citation for each source I refer to in my document.
Distinguish between my ideas and the ideas in my sources. Failing to distinguish will lead readers to believe other writers ideas were my own.
Align my argument with authority. Make an assertion then follow it with supporting information from a source like a quotation, paraphrase, or summary.
Define a concept, illustrate a process, or clarify a statement. Define a concept by quoting or paraphrasing a dictionary or encyclopedia, or use an illustration to help readers understand a complex process. Alos, use information from sources to clarify their statements.
Set a mood. I can choose quotations and illustrations with an eye toward establishing an overall mood for my readers.
Provide an example. It's often better to show with an example than to tell with a general description. Examples provide concrete evidence in my document.
Amplify or qualify a point. Use amplification to expand the scope of a point. Qualifications allow me to narrow the scope of a statement, reducing the possibility that my readers may misunderstand my meaning.
How can I integrate sources into my draft?
Identify my sources.
Use attributions and in-text citations. Distinguish my ideas with brief comments like, "according to" or, "as the author points out."
Provide a context. Establish why the quotation, paraphrase, or summary is reliable by identifying the source's credentials. Indicate how it relates to my main idea.
Quote strategically.
Use partial, complete, and block quotations. When I choose one type of quotation over another, consider the length and complexity of the passage as well as the obligation to convey ideas and information fairly.
Partial quotations. Can be a single word, phrase, or most of a sentence. Used to convey a well-turned phrase or to complete a sentence using important words from a source.
Complete quotations. Typically one or more complete sentences and are most often used when meaning of the passage cannot be conveyed adequately by a few well chosen words.
Block quotations. These are extended quotations typically 4 or more lines. Use a colon to introduce the quote, indent the entire quotation one inch from the left margin, and include source information according to the documentation system I am using.
Modify quotations as appropriate. It is acceptable to delete unnecessary words or to change the tense of a word in partial quotation so that is fits my sentence.
Punctuate quotations correctly.
Paraphrase information, ideas, and arguments.
A paraphrase is a restatement, in my own words, of a passage from a source. Paraphrases can be used to illustrate or support a point I make in my document.
Summarize
A summary is a concise statement, written in my own words, of information found in a source. I can summarize an entire source, or I can summarize specific ideas and information from a source. I can also summarize a group of sources with a collective summary.
Present numerical information
Use images, audio, video, and animations
How should I document my sources?
Choose a documentation system. MLA, APA, Chicago, CSE. These are all documentation systems my choice will be guided by the requirements of the research project.
Provide in-text references and publication information. Cite information in the text using parentheses and add a list of sources to my document.
Check for unattributed sources in my document. Include a complete citation for each source I refer to in my document.
Distinguish between my ideas and the ideas in my sources. Failing to distinguish will lead readers to believe other writers ideas were my own.
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