How To Use Research in your essay

(and how to cite it correctly!)

In this presentation, you will learn:

1. …what information to use in your paper.

2. …how and when to quote from your source.

3. …how to and when to paraphrase from your source.

4. …what is meant by the term “citation”.

5. …that you must cite quotes, but you also must cite paraphrases.

6. ...citing in the lead in vs. citing parenthetically.

1. I’ve read my research. What information should I bring into my paper?

Pick lines from your text hat either directly support the argument you are making (for example, an expert opinion), or pieces that you can use creatively to support your opinion (like a statistic).

There are two ways to bring information from your research into your essay:

Direct quotes and Paraphrases

If the wording of the line you wish to use is singular, you might want to quote it directly. If the wording is basic, and it’s really the idea you are after, paraphrase.

Use a mix of quotes and paraphrases.

2. Quoting: How do I quote a source?

Here’s what you need in order to properly integrate a direct quote: – A lead in ( this is a few words from you, the writer,

intended to smoothly introduce the quote.) – The line from your source, word for word, with

perfect punctuation. – A citation, either verbal or parenthetical.

You need to know your source information: the author, the article/book title, and page numbers.

Here’s an example of a direct quote. (The lead-in formally introduces the source.)

According to Christine Rosen in the article “Our Cellphones, Ourselves,” “We have become thigmophilic with our technology—touch-loving—a trait we share with rats, as it happens. We are constantly taking them out, fiddling with them, putting them away, taking them out again, reprogramming their directories, text messaging.” <discuss quote.>

Here’s another example of a direct quote (The lead in is general, thus the quote is cited parenthetically)

There are many unforeseen ways that cell phones have made the lives of their owners easier: “Construction workers on-site can use cell phones to send pictures to contractors off-site. Combined with the individual use of cell phones—to make appointments, locate a friend, check voicemail messages, or simply to check in at work—cell phones offer people a heretofore unknown level of convenience” (Rosen 354).

3. Let’s Talk about Paraphrasing:

Paraphrase information that is essential but does not need to be quoted directly. It helps to make the essay flow when everything is not quoted.

There are no quotation marks around paraphrased information.

You still MUST CITE the paraphrased information.

How do I go about paraphrasing?

Read (and re-read) the passage wish to use: First, simplify unique wording. Next, cut out unnecessary info. Reword the whole idea now without looking at the quote if you

can. (A trick: You can also “flip” the order of your remaining

information around, for example, move stuff in the front of the sentence to the back.)

Finally, double check your work (for accuracy) against the original, and make sure that you’ve cited it, verbally or parenthetically.

Try it! Put this passage from Rosen’s article into your own words:

Because cell phone talkers are not interacting with the world around them, they come to believe that the world around them isn’t really there and surely shouldn’t intrude. And when the cell phone user commandeers the space by talking, he or she sends a very clear message to others that they are powerless to insist on their own use of the space.

4. Internal Citations: what does it mean to cite something?

Internal citation: after you quote or paraphrase a source, you must briefly state the name of the person who originally made the statement. If you have a page number, you must provide that as well.

The citation inside the paper. If the reader wants more information on that source, they’ll look at your Works Cited page.

Internal citations and works cited pages work together.

The first time you use a source…

Introduce it formally. In the sentence housing the quote or

paraphrase, you need to state– The author’s first and last name– The title of the piece– And the page number, if applicable.

For example…

You might write, “Bob Bobertson, in his article “The Power of a Strong Last Name” argues that “a strong last name commands respect.”

Later, you can refer to the author by his or her last name since you’ve already made the introduction. You can do this verbally, or parenthetically (in parentheses at the end).

When cite your source parenthetically, it should look like this:

Lead-in, “Quote” (Last name). – internet site with author

Lead-in, “Quote” (Last name 27). – document with page numbers, like a book

Lead-in, “Quote” (“Article Title”). – internet site with no author

Lead-in,“Quote?” (article title or author’s last). – if you quote something with special punctuation, keep the

punctuation!

Let’s look at some examples of quotes that have been properly cited:

Again, You have two options for citing a source: Option One: Verbally, in the lead in. (Always

do this the first time you reference a source.) Option Two: In parentheses at the end of the

quote.

Option One: Citing the source in the lead-in

In the article “Neko Noir: Darkness Propels Case into Limelight,” Julianne Shepherd writes, “It's clear she's a torch singer at heart, touched by the light of country, her voice charmed, sirenlike, and at times vulnerable with emotion.”

Parenthetical citation using article title (no author is available):

Ex: Case sometimes defies description, “combining punk's ‘do it yourself ethic,’ a strong business sense, and clear opinions about her artistic goals” (“Neko Case”).

Important! Please Note! These are incorrect.

WHY? “Quote.” (Last name). “Quote.” (Last name) “Quote” (Last name, 27).

(Think about where the period goes…and doesn’t go!)

Here’s what we’ve learned today:

Sources can help you prove your point directly, or you can prove the point through your commentary. (You won’t always find a source that says the perfect thing!)

Your info can be quoted directly or paraphrased. You will ALWAYS CITE both quotes and

paraphrases. Citations can be placed in the lead in (author and

article title) or parenthetically. Citations point the reader to look at the works cited

page.

Parenthetical citation using author when no page number is available (web source)

In 2001, Case released the EP Canadian Amp: it’s “moody, late-night ambience carried over to 2002's Blacklisted, a darker yet more eclectic affair” (Huey).

Option Two: Parenthetical Citation (Notice there is still a lead-in!)

Parenthetical citation using author and page number:

Case’s voice has been described as “charmed, sirenlike, and at times vulnerable with emotion” (Shepherd 2).