Mixing Methods

Sometimes you paraphrase for precision or summarize for brevity but want to include notable wording from your source. In this situation, add quotation marks to identify what is directly quoted. Whatever your method, identify your source, and note the page where the quotation or paraphrase originates.

RESEARCH CHECKLIST

Taking Notes with Quotations, Paraphrases, and Summaries

For practice quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing, go to the interactive “Take Action” charts in Re:Writing.

  • For each source note, have you identified the source (by the author’s last name or a keyword from the title) and the exact page? Have you added a keyword heading to each note to help you group ideas?
  • Have you added a companion entry to your bibliography for each new source?
  • Have you remained true to the meaning of the original source?
  • Have you quoted sparingly — selecting striking, short passages?
  • Have you quoted exactly? Do you use quotation marks around significant words, phrases, and passages from the original sources? Do you use ellipsis marks or brackets to show where any words are omitted or added?
  • Are most notes in your own words — paraphrasing or summarizing?
  • Have you avoided paraphrasing too close to the source?