In-Text Citations: Quotations vs. Paraphrasing
In-Text Citations: Quotations vs. Paraphrasing
When it comes to writing an essay, including in-text citations is invaluable for demonstrating that you have done your research and supported your claim. In-text citations are not just important for those reasons. They can also help you avoid committing plagiarism by referencing where you got your information from. However, choosing the type of in-text citations you will be including can be a difficult decision when presented with the options of using direct quotations or paraphrasing. In this post, we aim to shed light on the differences between the two methods in order to demonstrate their respective strengths along with their optimal use.
Definitions
So, what exactly is the difference between paraphrasing and direct quotation? Paraphrasing is taking the information from a source and re-interpreting it into your own words. In contrast, direct quotation is copying the information directly from the source without changing any of the wording in your essay.
When to Use What
Although they both serve the same purpose of reinforcing and supporting your claims, paraphrasing and quotations tend to be used under different circumstances. Paraphrasing can be used when referring to the more general information from the source, such as its main idea, recurring theme, or conclusion. Furthermore, paraphrasing can demonstrate to the readers that you understand the topic and material you are referencing because you are not just copying what was said before. Instead, you are putting your spin on the information and presenting it in a new manner, exemplifying your knowledge in that field.
Quotations, meanwhile, are more beneficial when referring to the technical language used in the original source is imperative for understanding the information being presented in your writing. Doing so can introduce concepts to your audience without having to explain the topic further. Although there can be times when you may be tempted to use several sentences from the original source, sticking to short quotes that only give the necessary information required to understand your paper is far more effective than including two or three sentences that do little to back your claims. If you do have to insert a larger quote, you will have to separate it from the rest of the paper’s body into what is known as a “block quote”. As the name suggests, block quotes take up their own small paragraphs that squeeze too much information into them.
Different Formats Have Different Guidelines
One of the first things you need to know even before starting your essay is the citation style that you will be using. Depending on the purpose of your writing, the citation style may be APA, MLA, Chicago (CMS), IEEE, or any other options. Typically, APA is used for education, psychology, and science, MLA is used for humanities, and Chicago is used for history, business, and fine arts. Moreover, each style has its own set of guidelines on how to format your paper, from titles and headings to listing sources and citations throughout your writing.
Things to Avoid When Citing
Generally, there are a few common mistakes to avoid when citing information in your writing. The most important thing to look out for is plagiarism–you should always make sure to cite information properly by giving credit to original sources. If you summarize an author’s ideas, quote someone’s work, or discuss information that you learned, you should reference the source through in-text citations and references.
The next common mistake is over-relying on quotes. Remember that the purpose of writing is typically to communicate your thoughts, analyses, and interpretations of information, and therefore, your audience wants to read your ideas, not the ideas of used sources. Instead, choose only the most necessary quotes, which may be those that mention specific information and phrases that either cannot be reworded or can lose meaning when they are rephrased.
The final mistake is to include long quotes to fulfill word counts or to avoid having to explain concepts in your own words. In general, a good writing tip to follow is to include only the information that is completely necessary to make your point or get your purpose across. If the quotes in your writing are getting too long, your perspective may get lost and make the writing feel as if it is someone else’s.
Final Takeaways
In short, using the proper citation methods is important because not only will it help you avoid plagiarism, but also help strengthen your stance. Although each common citation style has its own specific guidelines to follow, the same general idea behind citations carries across. Whether it is through paraphrasing to demonstrate your understanding of the source or quoting to provide detailed information, citations are the foundation on which your arguments are built. Overall, if you ever have doubts about your writing or want to get another pair of eyes to look over your work and help you, visit the University Writing Center!
Additional Resources
Purdue Owl. (2022). Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing. Purdue Owl. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/index.html
Libguides. (2023). APA 7: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting. Libguides https://holyfamily.libguides.com/c.php?g=1058037&p=7756103