Pre-read before reading: Scan the introduction, section headings & conclusion before you start reading to get an overview.
Take notes or highlight the thesis, main ideas and interesting information pertinent to your research.
Write a summary IN YOUR OWN WORDS when finished reading and taking notes.
Copy direct quotations exactly from the original source, word for word. Use quotation marks. Note the page number!
Copy direct quotations exactly from the original source, word for word. Use quotation marks. Note the page number!
Be sure to clearly indicate in your note-taking when you are adding your comments of the material read.
Keep track of all bibliographic information: Full name of author, title and subtitle, journal, magazine, etc. and volume number, dates of publication, webpage, database, complete page numbers of journal articles and the date you retrieved the information, etc.
DO
DON’T
Copy a passage and change only an occasional word here and there. This is called patchwriting and qualifies as plagiarism.
Cut and paste material directly into your paper without summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting.
Forget to cite!
What exactly is
What exactly is
summarizing
and paraphrasing?
Summarizing is….
Restating information in your own words in a shortened version.
A summary includes the thesis or central argument and supporting main ideas.
Never restate main ideas including the thesis. Do not write a summary like an essay (with main points often repeated).
Summarizing…
Include direct quotations only when appropriate and sparingly.
Do not add your opinions in the middle of summarizing unless you have clearly marked these ideas as yours and not the original author’s. Reintroduce the author’s name to clarify any confusing parts to the reader.
The length of the summary is determined by your purpose in writing it and the length of the original work.
Always acknowledge the author’s last name either in a parenthetical citation or in the body of the text.
