Checklist: When to Quote, Paraphrase, or Summarize
CHECKLIST
When to Quote, Paraphrase, or Summarize
quote
wording that is so memorable or powerful, or expresses a point so perfectly, that you cannot change it without weakening its meaning
authors’ opinions you wish to emphasize
authors’ words that show you are considering varying perspectives
respected authorities whose opinions support your ideas
authors whose opinions challenge or vary greatly from those of others in the field
paraphrase
passages you do not wish to quote but that use details important to your point
summarize
long passages in which the main point is important to your point but the details are not