Writing with SourcesEffective Integration of Research

Objectives

• Benefits of research evidence• Effective integration of research• Proper citation of source material

Introduction

• Many assignments will ask you to write with sources• Most have not learned how to integrate sources

effectively and purposefully• Take ownership of your topic by analyzing, evaluating,

and synthesizing research materials• Become a participant in a conversation with your sources

about your topic

Using Outside Sources

• Support your thesis• Support your points with

statements from noted authorities• Offer memorable wording of key

terms or ideas• Extend your ideas by introducing

new information• Articulate opposing positions for

you to argue against

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Research Integration

The Goal

• Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries should be integrated smoothly and logically

• Maintain flow of paper• Not confuse readers• Introduce with a signal

phrase

Signal Phrases

• Consists of at least author’s name and a verb• Helps readers follow your train of thought• Lets readers know who is speaking• Vary signal phrases• Choose verbs that accurately convey the tone and intent

of the writer• Avoid monotony of all-purpose verbs like says and writes

Types of Signal Phrases

Arguing

• Argues• Asserts• Claims• Contends

Contesting

• Contests• Denies• Disputes• Refutes• Rejects

Other Signal Phrase Verbs

• Acknowledges• Adds• Admits• Believes• Compares• Confirms• Declares• Endorses

• Grants• Implies• Insists• Points out• Reasons• Reports• Responds• Suggests

Signal Phrases in Action

Ellen Goodman asserts that…

To summarize Judith Viorst’s observations of friends…

Mary Sherry explains…

Oscar Hijuelos exposes…

Social activist and nutrition guru Dick Gregory demonstrates that…

Unannounced Quotations

• Never confuse your reader with a quotation that appears suddenly without introduction

• Unannounced quotations leave your reader wondering how the quoted material relates to the point

AVOID PLAGIARISMTo use someone else’s idea—whether in its original form or in an altered form—without proper acknowledgement is to be guilty of plagiarism!

To Cite, or Not to Cite?

• Quote a source word for word;

• Refer to information and ideas from another source that you present in your own words as either paraphrase or summary;

• Or, cite statistics, tables, charts, graphs, or other visuals.

• Your own observations, experiences, ideas, and opinions;

• Factual information available in many sources (common knowledge);

• Or, proverbs, sayings, or familiar quotations.

Inadvertent Plagiarism

Note-Taking Stage

• Check all direct quotations against wording of original

• Double-check paraphrases to be sure you have not used writer’s wording or sentence structure

Writing Stage• Be careful whenever you incorporate

one of your notes into your paper• Make sure you put quotation marks

around material taken verbatim• Be sure that your quotation is accurate• When paraphrasing or summarizing,

make sure you do not inadvertently borrow key words or sentence structure from the original.

Using Quotation Marks for Language Borrowed Directly

• Without the quotation marks, you give your reader the impression that the wording is your own.

• Even if you cite the source, you are guilty of plagiarism if you fail to use quotation marks.

When you use another person’s exact words or sentences, you must enclose the borrowed material in quotation marks.

Using Your Own Words and Word Order When Summarizing and Paraphrasing

• Pay attention to word choice and word order, especially if you are paraphrasing.

• It is not enough to simply use a synonym here or there and think you have paraphrased the source.

• You must restate the original idea in your own words, using your own style and sentence structure.

When summarizing or paraphrasing a source, you must use your own language.

Conclusion

For more guidance, go to bedfordstmartins.com/plagiarismtutorial

Lecture adapted from Models for Writer’s: Short Essays for Composition, 10th ed., by Rosa and Eschholz