what: when quoting a source, use the authorâs words verbatim, or word-for-word. this means you shouldnât change any grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. put quotations around the words to tell your reader where the quote begins and where it ends.
you also need to acknowledge the author. for example, if using mla format for your research paper, you should have in-text citations with the authorâs name and page number listed at the end of each quote.
when: use quotations to provide concrete examples to support your claims. using direct quotations is a great way to build your credibility on the subject. itâs also a good idea to quote your source when the author states things in a powerful way. if you think he or she said it best, then use the exact words to share the ideas.
example: in the short story âa jury of her peersâ, mrs. hale compares mrs. wright to her caged bird, saying âsheâcome to think of it, she was kind of like a bird herself. real sweet and pretty, but kind of timid andâfluttery. howâsheâdidâchangeâ (glaspell).
paraphrasing
what: paraphrasing differs from quoting because you restate the passage in your own words. since you donât use the authorâs words, you donât need to use quotation marks. however, you still need to acknowledge the author for his or her ideas.
when paraphrasing a text, you should communicate the full meaning of the text; donât change the meaning. it can be a condensed version of the text, or it could end up being longer than the source itâs paraphrasing.
when: you use paraphrasing when you take notes, or explain a chart or diagram to someone. paraphrasing highlight the important parts of a larger text. it also allows you to simplify the ideas for your readers.
example:
original: âit was no ordinary thing that called her awayâit was probably further from ordinary than anything that had ever happened in dickson county. but what her eye took in was that her kitchen was in no shape for leaving: her bread all ready for mixing, half the flour sifted and half unsiftedâ (glaspell).
paraphrase: as mrs. hales walks around mrs. wrightâs home, she notices that the kitchen is in disarray as if she was in the middle of baking bread (glaspell).
