Transcript Integrating Sources Into Research Papers

INTEGRATING SOURCES
INTO
RESEARCH PAPERS
Risa P. Gorelick, Ph.D.
Georgian Court University, April 21, 2015
How do we categorize research?
When working on a research
paper, you should have a
variety of sources. Make sure
you understand the source
material. Remember, the writing
of the paper is YOUR ideas
which will be supported through
the research you find.
Examine the Writing Research Task:
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What are you writing?
Is your topic narrow
enough?
Do you have enough
research from
RELIABLE sources?
Which type of
documentation are you
asked to use
(MLA/APA)?
What are RELIABLE Sources?
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Peer Reviewed Articles
from Scholarly
Journals
Many Articles Found
through Library
Databases
Reputable
Newspapers (note
some have political
biases)
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Governmental
Agencies
Nonprofit Agencies
(note some have
political biases)
Peer Reviewed Books
Films/Documentaries
Others?
Questionable Sources
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Articles found online
through Google or
other search engines.
Some may be
RELIABLE, others may
not be reliable.
It is best to find
sources on library
databases for
research assignments.

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Ask yourself if such
internet sources list an
author, if you can find
information on that
author that shows the
author’s credentials
(education,
employment,
certifications, etc.).
Beware of blogs and
websites for biases.
Three Types of Integrated Sources
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SUMMARY: a relatively
brief objective account,
in your own words, of
the main ideas in a
source or source
passage.
QUOTE: Using the
exact words of your
source.
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PARAPHRASE: A
restatement, in your
own words, of a
passage of text. Its
structure reflects (but
does not copy) the
structure of the source
passage, and may be
roughly the same length
as the passage, but it
does not use exact
wording.
How to Incorporate Research
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You will want to summarize and paraphrase most often in
your research paper, using direct quotes sparingly.
A good rule of thumb: if you take more than 3 words from
a source you should cite the source.
Some sections of your paper may have a citation after each
sentence.
(writingcenterunderground.wordpress.com)
Summarizing/Paraphrasing
Putting source material in your own words
shows readers that you have a true
understanding of the material.
 To restate, in your own words, the full
meaning of a passage helps readers
understand difficult, complex, jargonriddled, or ambiguous passages.
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Writing Summaries & Paraphrases
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First, read and reread your source until you
understand exactly what it is saying.
Write down the relevant information from the
source.
Rewrite this information into your own words.
Do not include your own commentary in your
summary or paraphrase. You do not want to
confuse the reader.
CITE the source after you summarize/paraphrase it.
Documenting Summaries & Paraphrases
Failing to document any ideas that are not your own
(whether they are summarized, paraphrased, or quoted)
constitutes plagiarism. Research must be from reliable
sources.
(https://writingcenterunderground.wordpress.com/category/mla/)
Example from Student Paper
Within the first few pages of Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser presents some
surprising, enthralling, and utterly gross facts. His book begins with some startling
evidence: “Americans now spend more money on fast food than on higher
education, personal computers, computer software, or on new cars. They spend
more on fast food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers, videos, and
recorded music—combined” (Schlosser 3). It is hard to wrap our heads around the
billions of dollars Americans spend on eating fast food. Schlosser points out that
those dollar menu items most fast food restaurant chains offer are not a good value
on a number of fronts (4-8). He uncovers a Jungle-like meat packing industry that
protects neither the workers who slaughter animals for market nor the consumers
once the products hit the supermarket shelves (9). Readers become more and more
unsure of food safety that Americans encounter on a daily basis, especially after
reading that “the federal government has the legal authority to recall a defective
toaster oven or stuffed animal—but still lacks the power to recall tons of
contaminated, potentially lethal meat” (9). In short, Schlosser’s book makes
readers think about the food choices Americans make on a regular basis that are
quite unhealthy. The U.S. government must provide better protection for American
consumers of all food.
INTRO/TRANSITION
QUOTE
PARAPHRASE
SUMMARY
THESIS
Introduce the Source to the Argument
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State where the idea is from (author, title of
article, blog, book, etc.) before using the
source material.
Within the first few pages of Fast Food
Nation, Eric Schlosser presents some
surprising, enthralling, and utterly gross
facts. His book begins with some startling
evidence:
Paraphrase Example
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Remember, any idea that was not yours needs to be
cited, even when you paraphrase.
Schlosser points out that those dollar menu items most fast food
restaurant chains offer are not a good value on a number of
fronts (4-8). He uncovers a Jungle-like meat packing industry that
protects neither the workers who slaughter animals for market nor
the consumers once the products hit the supermarket shelves (9).
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Make sure you include where you received the
information by including either a parenthetical citation
and/or naming the source when you paraphrase.
Quotation Example
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Show why this materials is worthy of citing.
“Americans now spend more money on fast food than
on higher education, personal computers, computer
software, or on new cars. They spend more on fast
food than on movies, books, magazines, newspapers,
videos, and recorded music—combined” (Schlosser 3).
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This passage is particularly vivid/striking and would
be hard to put in one’s own words with the same
impact of what the author said.
Strong Reasons to Use Direct Quotes
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The author made the point so clearly and concisely
that it cannot be expressed more clearly and
concisely.
A certain phrase/sentence is particularly vivid or
striking.
An important passage is especially difficult, dense,
or rich that it requires you to analyze it closely.
The claim you are making is such that a doubting
reader will want to hear exactly what the source
said.
Tips for Using Direct Quotes
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Always have a good reason for using a direct
quote. Otherwise, paraphrase or summarize.
Do not allow quotes to speak for themselves. Your
research paper is ultimately about communicating
YOUR ideas on the topic. Your research supports
your ideas by showing that some authority can back
up your argument.
Tips for Using Direct Quotes
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Do NOT string quotes together.
First, introduce a quote by showing who the
authority is and why what s/he said is important.
Then use the quote.
Finally, provide an analysis of the quoted material
to show how it works with your argument.
Tips for Using Direct Quotes
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Do NOT use quotes as padding.
Choose quotes wisely. Sometimes you can quote a
few choice words in your own sentence. Sometimes
you will want a longer quote.
Make sure you introduce the quote and respond to
it afterwards so that your paper “flows.”
How to Smoothly Integrate Quotes
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Avoid wordy or awkward introductions.
Choose introductory verbs carefully.
 Use
a neutral verb: writes, says, states, observes,
suggests, remarks, etc.
 Use an emotional verb: laments, protests, charges,
replies, admits, claims, etc.
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Respond to the quote by showing why it is important
to your thesis.
Write a transition to move to your next point/quote.
Summarize Example
Readers become more and more unsure of food
safety that Americans encounter on a daily basis
[ . . . ] Schlosser’s book makes readers think about
the food choices Americans make on a regular
basis that are quite unhealthy.
Restate, in your own words, the meaning of a
passage showing you have a true understanding of
the material.
Relate all sources to your THESIS.
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The U.S. government must provide better
protection for American consumers of all food.
All of the quotes, paraphrases, and summary
statements relate to the paper’s thesis and support
the argument you are writing.
Activity: Summarize, Paraphrase, &
Quote
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Read the example from Michael Pollan’s Fast Food
Nation (2008).
Look at how Pollan uses summary, paraphrase, and
quotes to support his thesis/argument. (10 minutes)
Activity
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With a partner, look at what you’ve written in your
research paper and how you’ve incorporated
summary, paraphrase, and quotations. (10 minutes)
With your partner, discuss where you are effective
and where you need some help with
 Transitions
 Clarifying
your point(s)
 Relating your source material to your argument
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At the end, please share with the class some of your
findings. (5 minutes)
Works Cited/Consulted
Driscoll, Dana L. and Allen Brizee. “Quoting, Paraphrasing,
Summarizing.”
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/owlprint/563/
Pollan, Eric. In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto. NY:
Penguin P, 2008.
Schlosser, Eric. Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the AllAmerican Meal. New York: Perennial, 2002.
Sinclair, Upton. The Jungle. New York: Doubleday, 1906.