How to Quote, Paraphrase, and Summarize
What are the differences between quoting, paraphrasing,
and summarizing?
These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing. Obviously, a quotation must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.
| Quotations must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. |
| Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. |
| Summarizing
involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the
main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to
the original source. |
Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?
Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes. You might use them to:
| provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing |
| refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing |
| give examples of several points of view on a subject |
| call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with |
| highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original |
| distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own |
| expand the breadth or depth of your writing |
Writers frequently use summaries, paraphrases and quotations in the same work, and even in the same paragraph or sentence. As part of a summary of an article, a chapter or a book, a writer might include paraphrases of various key points blended with quotations of important phrases within the same section.
| In his famous and influential work On the Interpretation of Dreams, Sigmund Freud argues that dreams are "the royal road to the unconscious" (page 33) expressing in coded imagery the dreamer's unfulfilled wishes through a process known as the "dream work" (page 37). According to Freud, actual but unacceptable desires are censored internally and subjected to coding through layers of condensation and displacement before emerging in a kind of rebus puzzle in the dream itself (page 63). |
Practice summarizing an article or essay, using paraphrases and quotations as you go. A good way to start is to read the entire text, noting the key points and main ideas. Then, summarize in your own words what the single main idea of the essay is. Next, paraphrase important supporting points that come up in the essay or article. Also consider any words, phrases, or brief passages that you believe should be quoted directly. There are several ways to integrate quotations into your text. Often, a short quotation works well when integrated into a sentence. Longer quotations can stand alone. Remember that quoting should be done only sparingly; be sure that you have a good reason to include a direct quotation when you decide to do so.