When inserting quotations, paraphrases, or summaries in one’s paper, writers must be careful to give credit to the sources of the original ideas, facts, statistics, etc. Beginning writers often miss this crucial piece of the research process. Citing others' ideas does not weaken the paper; in fact, the proper insertion of research serves to strengthen a writer’s paper.
The following paragraph comes from page 17 of Making the Match by Teri Lesesne.
The citation for the paragraph is listed below the paragraph.
So, take the time to acquaint yourself with these curious creatures we call adolescents. Learn what you can about their lives outside of school. Listen to their music. Watch their movies and favorite TV shows (this will come in handy later, when we talk about censorship issues). Eavesdrop on conversations around you. Hang out at the local mall eating area and watch how kids interact with one another. Observe their fashion trends. Ask these kids about their interests and preferences. What you learn can help you make the match between your students and books.
Lesesne, Teri S. Making the Match: The Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time. Portland: Stenhouse, 2003.
Listed below are ways to cite sources within the text of a document:
This sentence summarizes Ms. Lesesne’s ideas:
It is important for teachers to learn adolescent behaviors and interests (Lesesne 17).
This sentence uses a direct quotation from Lesesne’s paragraph:
To be effective, it is important for teachers to observe “at the local mall eating area and watch how” students “interact with one another” (Lesesne 17).
This sentence uses the writer’s name within the text of the paper. In this instance one must simplyplace the page # of the source in parentheses at the end of the quotation:
According to Teri Lesesne, to effectively pair students with books that interest them, teachers must “[l]isten to their music” (17). Teachers must also “[o]bserve their fashion trends” (Lesesne 17).
When directly quoting an author, one must parenthetically cite the source immediately following the sentence in which the quotationappears. When paraphrasing or summarizing, information may be cited at the end of the paragraph.
While an English teacher has many important roles, perhaps the most important role involves determining student interests. Adolescents often gain their identities from the media and their friends. Teachers must observe adolescents in an interactive environment to determine their interests and their needs (Lesesne 17).
Notice that the paragraph above does not directly quote Lesesne, but her ideas are included in the paragraph. Since these are not my original ideas, I need to give Lesesne credit, even though her material is not directly quoted.
Once again, you must properly credit sources, even if you do not use direct quotations. When in doubt . . . CITE!!!