Much of the work you produce at university will involve the important ideas, writings and discoveries of experts in your field of study. Quoting, paraphrasing and summarising are all different ways of including the works of others in your assignments. Paraphrasing and summarising allow you to develop and demonstrate your understanding and interpretation of the major
ideas/concepts of your discipline, and to avoid plagiarism. Paraphrasing and summarising require analytical and writing skills which are crucial to success at university. QuotationsWhat is a quotation?A quotation is an exact reproduction of spoken or written words. Quotes can provide strong evidence, act as an authoritative voice, or support a writer's statements. For example: Bell and Bell (1993) point out in their study of Australian-American cultural relations: "culture is never simply imposed 'from above' but is negotiated through existing patterns and traditions." (Bell & Bell 1993, p. 9) Use a quote:
How to quoteQuoting should be done sparingly and support your own work, not replace it. For example, make a point in your own words, then support it with an authoritative quote.
ParaphrasingWhat is paraphrasing?Paraphrasing is a way of using different words and phrasing to present the same ideas. Paraphrasing is used with short sections of text, such as phrases and sentences. A paraphrase offers an alternative to using direct quotations and allows you to integrate evidence/source material into assignments. Paraphrasing can also be used for note-taking and explaining information in tables, charts and diagrams. When to paraphraseParaphrase short sections of work only i.e. a sentence or two or a short paragraph:
How to paraphrase
SummarisingWhat is a summary?A summary is an overview of a text. The main aim of summarising is to reduce or condense a text to its most important ideas. Leave out details, examples and formalities. Summarising is a useful skill for making notes, writing an abstract/synopsis, and incorporating material in assignments. When to summariseSummarise long sections of work, like a long paragraph, page or chapter.
How to summariseThe amount of detail you include in a summary will vary according to the length of the original text, how much information you need, and how selective you are.
What is summary and paraphrase?Paraphrasing means rephrasing text or speech in your own words, without changing its meaning. Summarizing means cutting it down to its bare essentials. You can use both techniques to clarify and simplify complex information or ideas. To paraphrase text: Read and make notes.
What term involves putting the main ideas into your own ideas including only the main points?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. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.
What is the main point idea or claim paraphrase?The purpose of a paraphrase is to convey the meaning of the original message and, in doing so, to prove that you understand the passage well enough to restate it. The paraphrase should give the reader an accurate understanding of the author's position on the topic.
What writing skills that provides an overview of the main idea and is shorter compared to the original text?does not match the source word for word. involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, but including only the main point(s) presents a broad overview, so is usually much shorter than the original text.
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