LibGuides: Plagiarism & Copyright: Avoiding Plagiarism

Direct Quotes, Summaries, and Paraphrases

Direct Quotes
Summaries
Paraphrases

Direct Quotes

A direct quote "[m]ust be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author."¹

Using Direct Quotes

If summarizing or paraphrasing will not capture the full meaning of the text
To maintain a specific or unique wording used by the author
If you analyzing the text itself (often in a language or English course)

¹Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2016). Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.

Citing Direct Quotes

Copy the text of the quote word for word. Place quotation marks " " around the quote.
Use an in-text citation with parentheses ( ) at the end of the paragraph containing the direct quote.
Most citation styles require an author's last name and a page number. See examples of citation styles here.

Summaries

A Summary "involves using your own words and writing style to express another author's ideas. Unlike the paraphrase, which present important details, the summary presents only the most important ideas of the passage."²

Using Summaries

To provide necessary background information for your reader
When broad, concise information will suffice

²University of Houston-Victoria Student Success Center. (n.d.). Decide when to Quote, Paraphrase and Summarize.

Citing Summaries

Use an in-text citation with parentheses ( ) at the end of the paragraph containing your summary of the information.
Most citation styles require an author's last name and a page number. See examples of citation styles here.

Paraphrases

A paraphrase is "your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form."³

Using Paraphrases

If a summary will not provide enough specific details
When the wording is less important than the meaning of the text

³Purdue University Online Writing Lab. (2016). Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing.

Citing Paraphrases

Use an in-text citation with parentheses ( ) at the end of the paragraph containing your paraphrase.
Most citation styles require an author's last name and a page number. See examples of citation styles here.

Plagiarism Resources

HCC Librarians This link opens in a new window
Have any questions? Please don't hesitate to ask us! Stop by in person, call us at 828.627.4550 or send us an email at library@haywood.edu
Student's Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism This link opens in a new window
Tips on avoiding plagiarism with proper citations and organized note taking
U.S. Office of Research Integrity This link opens in a new window
A guide to ethical writing from the Department of Health & Human Resources