Integrating Sources

See Ch. 12 and D1–D6 in the Quick Research Guide for more on using sources in your writing.

Your paper should project your own voice and showcase your ideas — your thesis and main points about your research question. It also should marshal compelling support, using the evidence that you have quoted, paraphrased, and summarized from sources. Add this support responsibly, identifying both the sources and the ideas or exact words captured from them.

Why Integrating Sources Matters

In a College Course

  • You have read and read for your sociology paper, but now you need to fit your sources into your paper very efficiently so you finish on time.
  • You need to integrate your class projects and reading log into your capstone portfolio to complete the final requirement for your credential.

In the Workplace

  • You must synthesize materials from three rival departments in a collaborative report.

In Your Community

  • You know that parents exchange information about autism, but the school board wants academic sources to identify best practices for teachers.

image When have you integrated a jumble of sources? In what situations do you expect to do so again?