PARAPHRASING AND DIRECT QUOTING

Paraphrasing – a restatement of a text, passage, or giving the meaning in another form. It is a restatement in
your own words of the main idea and supporting details of a text. A paraphrase may match the length if the original
work. Though paraphrasing may be considered more challenging than summarizing, paraphrasing allows little
opportunities for misinterpretation on the part of the reader as you can account for both major and minor points.
The following are several ways in paraphrasing:
1. Literal paraphrasing- this type only replaces vocabulary terms from the original text.
2. Structural paraphrasing- this type changes the sentence structure as well as the word class of key words of
the original text.
3. Alternative paraphrasing- in this type, the writer first poses questions about the text such as what the text is
about, how the main idea is supported, and the stand of the author about the topic. Then, the writer
answers these questions using his/her own words after reading the text; making sure that all ideas are
connected.

Summarizing Paraphrasing Direct Quoting

 Does not match the source
word for word
 Involves putting the main
ideas into your own words but
including only the main points.
 Presents a broad overview, so
is usually much shorter than the
original text.
 Must be attributed to the
original source
 Does not match the source word
for word
 Involves putting a passage from a
source into your own words.
 Changes the words or phrasing of
a passage, but retains and fully
communicates the original meaning
 Must be attributed to the original
source
 Matches the source word for
word.
 Usually a short part of the text.
 Cited part appears between
quotation marks.
 Must be attributed to the original
source

Original Passage Example

What is plagiarism? In minor cases, it can be the quotation of a sentence or two, without quotation marks and without a citation
(e.g., footnote) to the true author. In the most serious cases, a significant fraction of the entire source was written by someone
else but the plagiarist removed the author(s), name (s) and substituted his/her name, perhaps did some re-formatting of the text,
then submitted the work for credit in a class (e.g., term paper or essay), as part of the requirements for a degree (e.g., thesis or
dissertation), or as part of a published article or book.

Reference:
Standler, R.B. (2012). Plagiarism in colleges in USA: Legal aspects of plagiarism, academic policy. Retrieved from
http://www.rbs2.com/plag.pdf, p.5.

Sample Summary

Plagiarism can be defined as using ideas, data, or any relevant information of another without giving proper credit or
acknowledgement (Standler, 2012)

Sample Paraphrase
According to Standler (2012), plagiarism can occur in small cases, which happens when a small part of a passage are used without
enclosing them in quotation marks and citing the author. It can also occur in more grave situations. In these instances, big chunks of
the original text are used. There are changes in the format, but the original author is not attributed to and the work is claimed as the
plagiarist’s own and submitted to comply with academic requirements or as a part of a material for publication.

Note:
The above samples of paraphrase and summary show that the original text is rewritten based on the message
conveyed and the ideas presented by the author. Less of the original words is presented in the summary, and the source
is properly cited. In the paraphrase, all the ideas in the original text are still mentioned, but the wording and structure
are completely different.
Using direct quotations is employed for statements that are so closely associated that altering the words may
lose its rhetorical impact.
Below are some points to consider for employing direct quotations.
1. Using direct quotations means to lift a text and enclose them in quotation marks. In addition to the author’s
name, the page numbers are included.
2. If the text is too long, you may omit certain parts and replace them with an ellipsis (three dots). If the words
omitted are at the end of the statement, another dot is added, making it four.
 3. Interpolation may be done to insert notes within the directly quoted passage to help readers understand
the context of the statement. Interpolation is marked by open and closed brackets.
4. Using too many direct quotations does not reveal your identity as an author. Specifically, it is important that
you develop your own voice and style of writing in expressing ideas. Using other’s statements help in
arguments but does not show your originality and strength in making claims. Therefore as a rule of thumb,
twenty percent of the total length of work may employ direct quotations.

Sample Direct Quotation

Standler (2012) states that plagiarism can be “the quotation of a sentence or two, without quotation marks and without a citation
(e.g., footnote) to the ttrue author” (p.5)

The above sample shows that the words that appear between the quotation marks are the original words or
ideas of the author. Proper citation is also used.
When to Use Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Direct Quoting?

Paraphrasing Summarizing Direct Quoting

1. Paraphrase a short text with one 1. Summarize a text that has long 1. Quote a text that conveys
or two sentences or a paragraph sections (e.g., a page or chapter of a book powerful message or will show less
with a maximum of five sentences or the book itself; a paragraph of an essay impact if it is paraphrased or summarized
2. Paraphrase when you want to: or the essay itself.) (e.g., Constitution, government
A. Avoid or minimize direct 2. Summarize when you want to: documents, philosophies, monographs or
quotation; or A. Avoid or minimize direct quotation; or other scholarly materials).
B. Rewrite the author’s words by not use the main idea of the text and 2. Quote directly when you want to:
changing the message or use your write it in your own words. A. Begin your discussion with the
own words to state the author’s author’ stand; or
ideas. B. Highlight the author’s expertise
in your claim, argument, or
discussion.
Guidelines in Paraphrasing
1. Read the text and understand its meaning. Do not stop reading until you understand the message conveyed by the
author.
2. Use a pen to underline or highlight the key words or main idea of the text.
3. Recall the key words or main idea of the text that you highlighted when you read it.
4. Write in your own words what you understood about the ideas in the text.
5. Get the original text and compare it with your paraphrase
6. Check the meaning. Remember, your paraphrase should have the same meaning as the original text.
7. Check the sentence structure. The sentence structure of your paraphrase should be different from the original text.
8. Refrain from adding comments about the text. Stick to the ideas presented in the text.
9. Compare your output to the original text to ensure its accuracy and remove redundant ideas.
10. Record the details of the original source (Author’s name, date of publication, title, publisher, place of publication,
URL (if online).
11. Format your paraphrase properly. When you combine your paraphrases in a paragraph, use different formats to
show variety in writing just like in summarizing.
Guidelines in Direct Quoting
Reminder: Direct quotation should not be used to replace paraphrasing or summarizing.
1. Copy exactly the parts of text that you want to use.
2. Use quotation marks to show the beginning and ending of the quote.
3. Record the details of the original source (author’s name, date of publication, title, publisher, place of publishing, URL
(if online) and page number/s. Indicating the page number/s is necessary in citing sources in quoting.
4. Format your quotation properly. If your direct quotation is at least 40 words, it should be indented. Look at the
example below.

In his article “Poverty in the Philippines: Income, Assets, and Access, ”Scheliz (2005) suggests a list of causes of
poverty.
(1) Low to moderate economic growth for the past 40 years; (2) low growth elasticity of poverty reduction; (3)
weakness in employment generation and the quality of jobs generated; (4) failure to fully develop agriculture sector;
(5) high inflation during crises periods; (6) high levels of population growth; (7) high and persistent levels of inequality
(incomes and assets), which dampen the positive impact of economic expansion; and, (8) recurrent shocks and
exposure to risk such as economic crisis, conflicts, natural disasters, and environmental poverty (p.2).
However, when your direct quotation is below 40 words, it should be presented as a part of the text. Check the
example below.
To address economic issues, Scheliz (2005) recommended that there is a need to “(1) enhance government’s strategy
and involve key sectors for a collective and coordinated response to poverty; and (2) sustain efforts for economic and
institutional reforms” (pp.80-81).