smg10e_ch26

Decide whether to quote, paraphrase, or summarize.

Printed Page 701

For more on MLA style for citing sources in the body of your research project, see pp. 709–14.

As illustrated in O’Malley’s paragraph, above, writers integrate supporting evidence by quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing information or ideas from sources. This section provides guidelines for deciding when to use each of these three methods and how to quote, paraphrase, and summarize effectively. Note that all examples in this section follow MLA style for in-text citations, which is explained in detail in Chapter 27.

As a rule, quote only in these situations:

When the wording of the source is particularly memorable or vivid or expresses a point so well that you cannot improve it
When the words of reliable and respected authorities would lend support to your position
When you wish to cite an author whose opinions challenge or vary greatly from those of other experts
When you are going to discuss the source’s choice of words

Paraphrase passages whose details you wish to use but whose language is not particularly striking. Summarize any long passages whose main points you wish to record as support for a point you are making.