*Based on the following sources: 1. Academic Writing Skills 1 (Cambridge), Unit 3: Paraphrasing, Summarizing, and Citing Information 2. Academic Writing Skills 3 (Cambridge), Unit 3: Using and Citing Sources

1. Paraphrasing, Summarizing,
and Quoting Information

2. • In all academic writing, it is essential to use information
from outside sources (e.g., books, journals, magazines,
and the Internet) to support your position.
Kind of
Information from
Outside Source
What are they? Example
Facts Things accepted
as truths
Tigers are the largest of all cat species and can be
found from the Siberian taiga* to the tropical
mangrove swamps of South Asia.
Anecdotes Incidents or
other people's
experiences
In the first half of 2008, tigers killed seven fishermen
in a coastal area of India called Netidhopani.
Statistics Figures based on a
survey
There were an estimated 40,000 tigers in India last
century. In 2002, their population was 3,642, and in
2008 it had shrunk to 1,411.
Experts’ Opinions According to Pradip Guha of the World Conservation
Union, endangered tigers are attacking humans as
rising sea levels and coastal erosion gradually reduces
their natural habitat.
*taiga (noun) - forest that grows in wet ground in far northern regions of the earth

3. Model Paragraph about Whaling with
Supporting Information from Outside Sources
First, whaling should be banned because it is morally
unacceptable to kill intelligent mammals brutally. Although
the method of catching and killing whales has changed
greatly over the years, it still remains cruel and ineffective.
According to the World Society for the Protection of
Animals, whales today are killed by explosive harpoons,
which enter the whale near the head and explode inside its
body. However, this method is far from effective, as shown
by the fact that only about 40% of the whales harpooned die
immediately (2).In addition, these hunting methods go
against modern society's acceptable standard of human
suffering. Benson found that "people surveyed around the
world now correctly understand that whales are intelligent,
social mammals, not fish, and if hunted, must receive
instant, painless death" (88). Commercial whalers have
shown they cannot meet this international ethical standard,
and thus this practice must stop.
Supporting point 1
Information 1
(Fact)
Information 2
(Statistics)
Supporting point 2
Information 3
(Expert’s opinion)

4. Three ways to add information from outside
sources into academic writing:
1.Paraphrasing
2.Summarizing
3.Quoting

5. Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing

6. When paraphrasing, DO NOT:
• change any of the ideas in the original
information.
• remove any ideas.
• add new ones.
But DO:
• keep shared language.

7. Shared Language
• Words and phrases that cannot be stated in any other
way and should therefore be kept
• Examples:
Proper nouns Albert Einstein Oxford University
The European Union Malaysia
Common nouns that are
difficult to reword
efficiently
history computer mosquito
summer technology sports
Technical terms carbon dioxide hibernation
Gross National Product photosynthesis
Numbers and dates 17,000 1987
42% October 22

9. Exercise: Identify the shared language
in the passage below.

10. Which is the best paraphrase for the
following sentence?
Only 9% of the students who work part-time earn sufficient
income to support themselves.
a. Only 9% of the students who have part-time jobs
make enough money to support themselves.
b. Although many students work part-time, only 9%
of them make their living from their jobs because
their wages are very low.
c. Of all the students who have part-time jobs, no
more than 9% make enough money to earn a living.

11. Which is the best paraphrase for the
following sentence?
Only 9% of the students who work part-time earn sufficient
income to support themselves.
a. Only 9% of the students who have part-time
jobs make enough money to support
themselves.
•Keeps the details in the
original sentence, but...
•Sentence structure and
vocabulary are too similar to
the original
b. Although many students work part-time,
only 9% of them make their living
from their jobs because their wages are
very low.
Includes information that is
NOT in the original text
c. Of all the students who have part-time
jobs, no more than 9% make enough
money to earn a living.
•Expresses the details in the
original text accurately
•Uses a different sentence
structure and vocabulary

12. Which is the best paraphrase for the
following sentence?
Throughout most of the developed world, universities
have seen a steady increase in the number of women
enrolling in engineering courses.

13. Which is the best paraphrase for the
following sentence?
Due to the shortage of space, on-campus housing is not
common in big city universities. Most students commute
from their home or rent an apartment near the campus.

14. How to Paraphrase

15. How to Paraphrase

16. How to Paraphrase
Original:
Increases in the cost of air travel have had* a negative
effect on tourism in destinations such as Hawaii, which
are significant distances from other countries.
Paraphrase:
The tourist industry in places like Hawaii, which is fairly
remote from other countries, has been* adversely
affected by rises in airfare.
*Tense of original = Tense of paraphrase

17. How to Paraphrase

18. Example of a Plagiarized Paraphrase

19. Example of an Acceptable Paraphrase

20. Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing

21. Which is the best summary for the following passage?
The number of overweight children is predicted to rise significantly around the world by
the end of the decade. Research conducted in 25 countries has concluded that almost
every country showed significant increases in childhood obesity. Almost 50% of
children in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America will be overweight by 2020; in China,
this figure is estimated to be one in five. Scientists believe this will mean that health
care services will be seriously affected in the future. Many obese children will become
obese adults, which will result in many of them suffering from heart disease, stroke,
and other weight-related ailments.
a. A survey in 25 countries has found out that the number of obese
children will increase significantly all over the world by 2020.
Scientists agree that this will influence health care services in the
near future because many overweight children will suffer from
weight-related problems when they become adults.
b. The increasing number of obese children around the world will
cause serious problems to medical services.
c. Since the number of overweight children will increase around
the world, health care services will be seriously affected in the
future.

22. Which is the best summary for the following passage?
The number of overweight children is predicted to rise significantly around the world by
the end of the decade. Research conducted in 25 countries has concluded that almost
every country showed significant increases in childhood obesity. Almost 50% of
children in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America will be overweight by 2020; in China,
this figure is estimated to be one in five. Scientists believe this will mean that health
care services will be seriously affected in the future. Many obese children will become
obese adults, which will result in many of them suffering from heart disease, stroke,
and other weight-related ailments.
a. A survey in 25 countries has found out that the number of obese
children will increase significantly all over the world by 2020.
Scientists agree that this will influence health care services in the near
future because many overweight children will suffer from weight-related
problems when they become adults.
•Captures the main idea of
the original passage, but...
•Too long and specific:
includes many
unnecessary details
b. The increasing number of obese children around the world will
cause serious problems to medical services.
•Expresses the main idea
of the original passage
•Sentence structure and
vocabulary are different
from the original
c. Since the number of overweight children will increase around the
world, health care services will be seriously affected in the future.
Too similar to the original
in sentence structure and
vocabulary

23. Which is the best summary for the following passage?
The need for sophisticated equipment is not the only obstacle limiting the use of modern
medical science. Traditional medicine, which uses a wide variety of inexpensive, easily
accessible, and familiar natural ingredients and techniques, is preferable for many people.
Medicines are normally created from local plants, animals, and minerals. Techniques often
include socially bonding physical contact between patient and healer like rubbing or
massaging, and spiritual experiences which may involve trances, music, and scents.
In Africa, for instance, an estimated 80% of people rely on traditional medicine for almost
all their health care. Similarly, in many other parts of the world, particularly in Asia and
Latin America where modern facilities are available, this approach to medicine is highly
valued because it is effective, inexpensive, and culturally significant.
a. Because of its effectiveness, low cost, and cultural value, many people in the world prefer traditional
medicine to modern medicine.
b. Many people around the world use traditional medicine because they cannot afford expensive
modern medicine.
c. In Africa, Asia, and Latin America, traditional medicine is considered better than modern medical science
because traditional medicines and techniques use inexpensive, easily accessible, and familiar natural
ingredients, and involve physical contact between the doctor and the patient such as rubbing and
massaging.

24. How to Summarize
The number of overweight children is predicted to
rise significantly around the world by the end of
the decade. Research conducted in 25 countries has
concluded that almost every country showed
significant increases in childhood obesity. Almost
50% of children in the U.S., Canada, and Latin
America will be overweight by 2020; in China, this
figure is estimated to be one in five. Scientists
believe this will mean that health care services will
be seriously affected in the future. Many obese
children will become obese adults, which will result
in many of them suffering from heart disease,
stroke, and other weight-related ailments.
Key Point
Key Point
Support
for
Key Point
Support
for
Key Point

25. How to Summarize

26. How to Summarize
The number of overweight children is predicted to rise significantly around the world by the
end of the decade. Research conducted in 25 countries has concluded that almost every
country showed significant increases in childhood obesity. Almost 50% of children in the U.S.,
Canada, and Latin America will be overweight by 2020; in China, this figure is estimated to
be one in five. Scientists believe this will mean that health care services will be seriously
affected in the future. Many obese children will become obese adults, which will result in
many of them suffering from heart disease, stroke, and other weight-related ailments.
(Original)
The increasing number of obese children will cause problems to medical services.
(First draft of summary)

27. How to Summarize
The number of overweight children is predicted to rise significantly around the world by the
end of the decade. Research conducted in 25 countries has concluded that almost every
country showed significant increases in childhood obesity. Almost 50% of children in the U.S.,
Canada, and Latin America will be overweight by 2020; in China, this figure is estimated to
be one in five. Scientists believe this will mean that health care services will be seriously
affected in the future. Many obese children will become obese adults, which will result in
many of them suffering from heart disease, stroke, and other weight-related ailments.
(Original)
The increasing number of obese children will cause problems to medical services.
(First draft of summary)
Reminder: The summary should be much shorter than the original –
often only one or two sentences long.

28. Example of Plagiarized and
Acceptable Summaries

29. Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing vs. Quoting

30. Examples of Quoting
1. Original Text:
People surveyed around the world now correctly understand that whales are
intelligent, social mammals, not fish, and if hunted, must receive instant
painless death.
Quotation:
Benson found that "people surveyed around the world now correctly understand
that whales are intelligent, social mammals, not fish, and if hunted, must
receive instant painless death" (88).
2. Original Text:
For the Inupiat, whale hunting is more than just a means of sustaining life; it is
their cultural heritage and a bond that unites them with their ancestors.
Quotation:
Ellis states, "For the Inupiat, whale hunting is more than just a means of
sustaining life; it is their cultural heritage and a bond that unites them with their
ancestors."
If the quotation is a complete sentence, begin with a capital letter.
state = reporting verb
•When using a reporting verb with a quotation, use a comma instead of that.

31. Five Techniques to Integrate Quotations
into Essays
1. Briefly introduce the quotation with a phrase.
• Place a comma after the phrase that introduce the quotation.
• Begin the quote with a capital letter.

32. Five Techniques to Integrate Quotations
into Essays
2. Introduce the quotation with a complete sentence that states its
significance to the essay's thesis.
• Place a colon at the end of the complete sentences that
introduces the quotation.
• Begin the quote with a capital letter.

33. Five Techniques to Integrate Quotations
into Essays
3. Blend the quotation directly into the essay writer's sentence.
• No punctuation is necessary if the quotation is blended into a
sentence using a word such as that.
• Begin the quote with a lowercase letter.

34. Five Techniques to Integrate Quotations
into Essays
4. Place the introductory phrase inside the quote.
• Use commas to separate the quote from the introductory
phrase.

35. Five Techniques to Integrate Quotations
into Essays
5. If a quotation is more than about 40 words, do NOT use quotation marks.
• End the sentence before the quote with a colon, start the quotation on
the next line, and indent it.
• Restart the paragraph on a new line after the quotation.
Indent
Restart
Paragraph

36. WARNING
• Be careful not to overuse quoting.
• If your essay has too many quotations,
the reader might think you are just repeating
someone else’s words and ideas.

37. Generally, quoting can be useful when the
information is:
• From an expert on the topic.
• Written in a particularly powerful or memorable way.
• From a primary source.
• Mostly shared language which cannot be effectively
written.

38. Reporting Verbs for
Paraphrases, Summaries, and Quotes

39. Three Grammatical Patterns for
Using Reporting Verbs

40. Three Grammatical Patterns for
Using Reporting Verbs

41. Exercise

42. Three Grammatical Patterns for
Using Reporting Verbs

43. Exercise

44. Three Grammatical Patterns for
Using Reporting Verbs

45. Exercise

46. Four Pattern Variations

47. Four Pattern Variations

48. Four Pattern Variations

49. Four Pattern Variations

50. Different Meanings and Levels of Strength
of Reporting Verbs
• Choose a reporting verb that:
– Accurately matches the meaning of the source
information.
– Matches the strength of the source author's
position or attitude.

51. Different Meanings and Levels of Strength
of Reporting Verbs
Ineffective Use of Reporting Verbs:
A = Incorrect: The company did not explain anything.
B = Inappropriate: Indicates is too weak.
•The company used definitely to express certainty in its plans.
•Thus, a stronger verb would more accurately represent this attitude.

52. Different Meanings and Levels of Strength
of Reporting Verbs
Effective Use of Reporting Verbs:

53. Avoiding Neutral Verbs
Say
State
•Express a neutral position
•Appropriate when the source author is truly conveying a
neutral position
•However, are often overused
•Results in less accurate and repetitive writing
Example with a Neutral Verb:
More Accurate Statement with a Stronger Reporting Verb:
Blames reflects the police's accusatory attitude to Western influence in Asia.