Rhetorical citation

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CitingCiting
ExpertlyExpertly17
Writing MattersWriting Matters
by Rebecca Moore Howardby Rebecca Moore Howard
and Amy Rupiper Taggartand Amy Rupiper Taggart

2. ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2
A citation distinguishes yourA citation distinguishes your
original work from ideas andoriginal work from ideas and
information drawn from the worksinformation drawn from the works
of other writers and researchersof other writers and researchers
But expertBut expert rhetorical citationrhetorical citation doesdoes
moremore

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Your goal for citations should be toYour goal for citations should be to
show how your ideas andshow how your ideas and
perspectives developed and howperspectives developed and how
they relate to the work of otherthey relate to the work of other
scholars participating in thescholars participating in the
conversation around your topicconversation around your topic

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
Citation indicates that your text isCitation indicates that your text is
incorporating material from other sourcesincorporating material from other sources
•May useMay use
• Parenthetical citationsParenthetical citations
• Signal phrasesSignal phrases
• A combination of bothA combination of both

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
1.1. Parenthetical citations in the MLAParenthetical citations in the MLA
documentation style includedocumentation style include
• The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
1.1. Parenthetical citations in the MLAParenthetical citations in the MLA
documentation style includedocumentation style include
• The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)
• The page number(s) from which theThe page number(s) from which the
incorporated material is drawn (when thatincorporated material is drawn (when that
information is available)information is available)

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
1.1. Parenthetical references in MLAParenthetical references in MLA
citations includecitations include
• The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)
• The page number(s) from which theThe page number(s) from which the
incorporated material is drawn (when thatincorporated material is drawn (when that
information is available)information is available)
• Use parenthetical references toUse parenthetical references to
acknowledge paraphrases and summariesacknowledge paraphrases and summaries
of others’ works as well as direct quotationsof others’ works as well as direct quotations

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
1.1. Parenthetical references in MLAParenthetical references in MLA
citations includecitations include
• The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)
• The page number(s) from which theThe page number(s) from which the
incorporated material is drawnincorporated material is drawn
• Use parenthetical references toUse parenthetical references to
acknowledge paraphrases and summariesacknowledge paraphrases and summaries
• Insert each reference at the end of theInsert each reference at the end of the
passage containing the source materialpassage containing the source material

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
1.1. Parenthetical references in MLA citations includeParenthetical references in MLA citations include
• The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)The last name(s) of the source’s author(s)
• The page number(s)The page number(s)
• Use parenthetical references to acknowledgeUse parenthetical references to acknowledge
paraphrases and summariesparaphrases and summaries
• Insert each reference at the end of the passageInsert each reference at the end of the passage
containing the source materialcontaining the source material
References in other documentationReferences in other documentation
styles may include differentstyles may include different
informationinformation

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
2.2. Signal phrasesSignal phrases
• couple an identification of the sourcecouple an identification of the source
(usually the author’s name) with a verb(usually the author’s name) with a verb
• allow you to signal your sense of theallow you to signal your sense of the
source writer’s intentsource writer’s intent
• may use verbs that suggest the sourcemay use verbs that suggest the source
writer’s attitude, position, and purposewriter’s attitude, position, and purpose

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
• Signal phrase verbsSignal phrase verbs
• will often be neutral (writes,will often be neutral (writes,
observes, or comments)observes, or comments)
• where possible, will indicate attitudewhere possible, will indicate attitude
(quips, laments, or rails)(quips, laments, or rails)
• may indicate position or purposemay indicate position or purpose
(agrees, insists, admits)(agrees, insists, admits)

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
• Avoid ascribing intent with a signalAvoid ascribing intent with a signal
phrase verb where the text does notphrase verb where the text does not
clearly suggest itclearly suggest it
• Vary signal phrase verbs to avoidVary signal phrase verbs to avoid
staleness or predictabilitystaleness or predictability

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Integrating Source MaterialIntegrating Source Material
ResponsiblyResponsibly
See the Quick Reference box on p. 277See the Quick Reference box on p. 277
inin Writing MattersWriting Matters for a list of signalfor a list of signal
verbs classified by attitude, purpose, andverbs classified by attitude, purpose, and
perspectiveperspective

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Showing Source BoundariesShowing Source Boundaries
• Quotation marks indicate a sourceQuotation marks indicate a source
boundary for quoted material.boundary for quoted material.

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Showing Source BoundariesShowing Source Boundaries
• Distinguish a paraphrase or summaryDistinguish a paraphrase or summary
from your own work by placing thefrom your own work by placing the
signal phrase immediately prior to thesignal phrase immediately prior to the
phrase, clause, or sentence expressingphrase, clause, or sentence expressing
the material drawn from the source.the material drawn from the source.

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Showing Source BoundariesShowing Source Boundaries
• Distinguish a paraphrase or summaryDistinguish a paraphrase or summary
from your own work by placing thefrom your own work by placing the
signal phrase immediately prior to thesignal phrase immediately prior to the
phrase, clause, or sentence expressingphrase, clause, or sentence expressing
the material drawn from the sourcethe material drawn from the source
• Place the corresponding parentheticalPlace the corresponding parenthetical
reference at the end to signalreference at the end to signal
conclusion of the borrowed materialconclusion of the borrowed material
and to indicate the page number.and to indicate the page number.

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Showing Source BoundariesShowing Source Boundaries
• When the author’s name is included inWhen the author’s name is included in
the signal phrase, it is omitted from thethe signal phrase, it is omitted from the
parenthetical reference.parenthetical reference.

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Showing Source BoundariesShowing Source Boundaries
• When citing quoted material from anWhen citing quoted material from an
unpaginated source, include only theunpaginated source, include only the
author’s name in the parentheticalauthor’s name in the parenthetical
reference.reference.
• When quoting from an unpaginatedWhen quoting from an unpaginated
source, quotation marks indicate thesource, quotation marks indicate the
source boundary.source boundary.

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Showing Source BoundariesShowing Source Boundaries
• When working with paraphrase orWhen working with paraphrase or
summary of unpaginated material,summary of unpaginated material,
describedescribe the author in the signalthe author in the signal
phrase without explicitly mentioningphrase without explicitly mentioning
the name.the name.
• Include the source author’s name in theInclude the source author’s name in the
parenthetical reference.parenthetical reference.

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Emphasizing Your VoiceEmphasizing Your Voice
The use of a signal phrase with aThe use of a signal phrase with a
parenthetical reference allow you toparenthetical reference allow you to
set off material from sources soset off material from sources so
your reader can unambiguouslyyour reader can unambiguously
distinguish your ideas and synthesisdistinguish your ideas and synthesis
from those of your sources’ authorsfrom those of your sources’ authors

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Emphasizing YourEmphasizing Your VoiceVoice
To accentuate the distinctionTo accentuate the distinction
between your thoughts and those ofbetween your thoughts and those of
your sources’ authors,your sources’ authors,
•refer to yourself in first personrefer to yourself in first person
when offering your insights orwhen offering your insights or
discernments (I believe that . . .”)discernments (I believe that . . .”)

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Emphasizing YourEmphasizing Your VoiceVoice
To accentuate the distinction betweenTo accentuate the distinction between
your thoughts and those of youryour thoughts and those of your
sources’ authors,sources’ authors,
•refer to yourself in first personrefer to yourself in first person
•use first person plural to subtly draw theuse first person plural to subtly draw the
audience into the scholarly conversationaudience into the scholarly conversation
with you (we note that, in lines 6-10 . . .”)with you (we note that, in lines 6-10 . . .”)

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Emphasizing Your VoiceEmphasizing Your Voice
To accentuate the distinction betweenTo accentuate the distinction between
your thoughts and those of youryour thoughts and those of your
sources’ authors,sources’ authors,
•refer to yourself in first personrefer to yourself in first person
•use first person pluraluse first person plural
•refer to your research instead ofrefer to your research instead of
yourself (“Such information suggests anyourself (“Such information suggests an
irony . . .”)irony . . .”)

24. ©2011, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 24
Emphasizing Your VoiceEmphasizing Your Voice
To accentuate the distinction betweenTo accentuate the distinction between
your thoughts and those of youryour thoughts and those of your
sources’ authors,sources’ authors,
•refer to yourself in first personrefer to yourself in first person
•use first person pluraluse first person plural
•refer to your research instead ofrefer to your research instead of
yourselfyourself
•offer commentary on the sourceoffer commentary on the source
(“Franklin makes gentle fun of himself by(“Franklin makes gentle fun of himself by
noting . . .”)noting . . .”)

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Providing ContextProviding Context
Rhetorical citationsRhetorical citations can also tell thecan also tell the
reader important information about yourreader important information about your
sources and their authors, allowing yousources and their authors, allowing you
to indicateto indicate
•why you chose the sourcewhy you chose the source
•what kind of source it iswhat kind of source it is
•when it was publishedwhen it was published
•what its argument iswhat its argument is

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Providing ContextProviding Context
1.1. Explaining your choice of sourceExplaining your choice of source
• Readers want to know your source’sReaders want to know your source’s
strengths and weaknessesstrengths and weaknesses

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Providing ContextProviding Context
1.1. Explaining your choice of sourceExplaining your choice of source
• Readers want to know your source’sReaders want to know your source’s
strengths and weaknessesstrengths and weaknesses
• Use commentary in the signal phraseUse commentary in the signal phrase
and surrounding text to interpret theand surrounding text to interpret the
source’s utility or authority (Garysource’s utility or authority (Gary
Wolf provides a wide-rangingWolf provides a wide-ranging
overview . . .)overview . . .)

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Providing ContextProviding Context
1.1. Explaining your choice of sourceExplaining your choice of source
• Indicate source’s strengths, weaknessesIndicate source’s strengths, weaknesses
• Interpret the source’s utility or authorityInterpret the source’s utility or authority
• Acknowledge shortcomings and assert theAcknowledge shortcomings and assert the
source’s usefulness in embeddedsource’s usefulness in embedded
commentary (Although the article did notcommentary (Although the article did not
trace the effects of the policy on thetrace the effects of the policy on the
victims, it did clearly indicate thevictims, it did clearly indicate the
participants’ foreknowledge . . . )participants’ foreknowledge . . . )

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Providing ContextProviding Context
2.2. Identifying the type of sourceIdentifying the type of source
• Include a description in theInclude a description in the
signal phrase (Writing in thesignal phrase (Writing in the NewNew
York TimesYork Times, Gary Wolf provides a, Gary Wolf provides a
wide-ranging . . .)wide-ranging . . .)

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Providing ContextProviding Context
3.3. Identifying the date of publicationIdentifying the date of publication
• In many fields of study and topics,In many fields of study and topics,
information’s currency is aninformation’s currency is an
important factor in its value toimportant factor in its value to
scholarsscholars
• Use a date embedded in theUse a date embedded in the
commentary adjacent to the signalcommentary adjacent to the signal
phrase (In an article in the Augustphrase (In an article in the August
2011 issue of . . . )2011 issue of . . . )

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Providing ContextProviding Context
4.4. Identify the larger discussion inIdentify the larger discussion in
the sourcethe source
• The best citations convince the reader thatThe best citations convince the reader that
the writer has read and understood thethe writer has read and understood the
intent and probative value of the sourceintent and probative value of the source
• Build a summary into your citation toBuild a summary into your citation to
indicate how the source functions in yourindicate how the source functions in your
text (Wolf’s wide-ranging overview of ourtext (Wolf’s wide-ranging overview of our
motives for gathering and sharing datamotives for gathering and sharing data
about ourselves . . .)about ourselves . . .)

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Integrating Altered QuotationsIntegrating Altered Quotations
Writers may do any of the followingWriters may do any of the following
in order to gracefully incorporatein order to gracefully incorporate
quoted source material:quoted source material:
• quote short phrases rather than fullquote short phrases rather than full
sentencessentences
• add or change words for clarityadd or change words for clarity
• change capitalizationchange capitalization
• change grammarchange grammar

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Integrating Altered QuotationsIntegrating Altered Quotations
Integrate quotations smoothlyIntegrate quotations smoothly
– Incorporate part of a quotationIncorporate part of a quotation
• Should flow in textShould flow in text
• Quoted parts will have quotationQuoted parts will have quotation
marksmarks
– Add or change wordsAdd or change words
• Place new materialPlace new material
in square bracketsin square brackets
– Delete portionsDelete portions
• Replace with ellipsesReplace with ellipses
[ ][ ]
……

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Integrating Altered QuotationsIntegrating Altered Quotations
In no case is it acceptable or changeIn no case is it acceptable or change
a quotation in order to alter itsa quotation in order to alter its
original meaning or intent.original meaning or intent.

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Citing ExpertlyCiting Expertly
Citation is not only ethical but rhetoricalCitation is not only ethical but rhetorical
•It safeguards you from charges of plagiarismIt safeguards you from charges of plagiarism
•It clarifies the relationship of your work to thatIt clarifies the relationship of your work to that
of your sources and their authorsof your sources and their authors
•It reveals much about your researchingIt reveals much about your researching
strategy as well as your critical thinking abilitystrategy as well as your critical thinking ability
and your attitude towards your readers, yourand your attitude towards your readers, your
topic, other writers and yourselftopic, other writers and yourself

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Providing ContextProviding Context
Rhetorical citation reveals muchRhetorical citation reveals much
about your researching strategy asabout your researching strategy as
well as your critical thinking abilitywell as your critical thinking ability
and your attitude towards yourand your attitude towards your
readers, your topic, other writersreaders, your topic, other writers
and yourself.and yourself.

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Providing ContextProviding Context
Refer to the Self-AssessmentRefer to the Self-Assessment
checklist on p. 286 ofchecklist on p. 286 of WritingWriting
MattersMatters when revising your drafts, towhen revising your drafts, to
help you prepare expert rhetoricalhelp you prepare expert rhetorical
citations.citations.

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CitingCiting
ExpertlyExpertly17
Research MattersResearch Matters
by Rebecca Moore Howardby Rebecca Moore Howard
and Amy Rupiper Taggartand Amy Rupiper Taggart