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Content includes:
facts, figures, and evidence
results of experiments, surveys
explanations of results or concepts
ideas, arguments, analysis, critique
summaries and literature reviews
descriptions of methodology or process
narratives of events or chronologies
comparisons and contrasts
problems and solutions
narratives of personal experience, observation or opinions
Summarizing
Summarizing is concisely recounting the main point and key supporting points of another source. It is essential to informative writing. We summarize articles, books, essays, and arguments written by other authors as part of our own writing.
The most important aspects of summarizing include:
putting the summary in our own words without changing the meaning of the original author
accurately conveying the original meaning of the author, without bias or misrepresentation
citing the original author/piece in the text and referencing it in a bibliography
The following describes how to write an accurate summary in your own words:
How to Write a Summary.pdfParaphrasing
Paraphrasing is a normal part of informational writing. It is summarizing an idea or sentence in your own words, with credit given to the original source.
However, if paraphrasing is done incorrectly, it can be plagiarism.
Paraphrasing is not merely changing the words around in sentences, it is putting ideas entirely into your own words and writing style.
It requires distance from the source you wish to summarize in order to avoid too closely adhering to the original.
In all cases, the sources must be cited and preferably mentioned in your own text.
A paraphrase is...
one legitimate way to borrow from a source, as long as it is accompanied by proper citation.
your own wording of information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.
always in your own words and in your own style/voice.
Effective Paraphrasing:
Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning
Highlight the key points, then write a key word or phrase that summarizes
Put the original passage aside and write your own summary without looking at the original
Compare your version with the original to make sure that your version is accurate and does not resemble the original in word choice, structure, or style.
When Paraphrasing is Plagiarism:
Changing a sentence written by someone else by substituting synonyms for words in the original.
Changing the word order in a sentence written by someone else.
Giving the same argument as another author (the same idea, the logical progression) and claiming it as your own without citation.
Using key phrases from an author without giving them credit.
This handout offers important guidelines and examples on the difference between summarizing a passage in your own words and intended/unintended plagiarism.
Paraphrasing v Plagiarism.pdf*For more information on PLAGIARISM see the final page on The Writing Laboratory site.
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