Activity 2-1: Learn to quote authors

Study the following examples of directly quoting other authors, and try to work out the basic rules of direct quotations, short quotations and long quotations.

Examples 1 & 2:

Marras et al. (1995) note that peak load moment has been suggested to play a major role in defining lower back disorder risk.

Peak load moment has been suggested to play a major role in defining lower back disorder risk (Marras et al., 1995).

Example 3:

Harris (2005, p.5) writes “you must cite the sources of each idea or item of information you use, whether you quote, paraphrase or summarize or merely refer to it”.

Example 4:

In Using Sources Effectively, Harris describes many different ways students should reference their work in academic institutions. The author believes that students must understand the importance of referencing:

An important part of using sources effectively lies in distinguishing between your own ideas and the ideas that come from outside sources ... When you make use of words, ideas or any information from a source other thanyour own knowledge and experience, you must give credit to the source in a citation. (Harris 2005, 1)

Referencing is clearly an important skill for students who wish to succeed in academic writing.

Notes

When directly quoting, remember to:

1. Copy the words exactly from the original source.

2. Include the author-date or number as the in-text citation.

Some students think it is okay if you copy and paste more than three words as long as you add the author/source name. This is not true. If you copy more than three words you must also have quotation marks.

Long quotations use a different style to distinguish them from your normal text.

·Use a block quotation (i.e. not part of the sentence).

·Indent the block from the left and right margins.

·Between the lines, use a single space only.

·Do not use quotation marks for the block.

·Include citation details either as a lead in to the block or at the end.

Activity 2-2: Learn to paraphrase or rewrite original words

Try paraphrasing the direct quotation below, and then compare your work with the following paraphrased samples critically to see whether you have done a great job.

Direct quotation

Cope (2007, 21) says that “plagiarism, a failure to acknowledge sources of material correctly, is an offence against professional standards and is a form of academic dishonesty”.

Paraphrase 1

According to Cope (2007, 21) plagiarism occurs when writers do not reference ideas, and this is a very serious offence.

Paraphrase 2

Cope (2007) mentions that plagiarism happens when writers do not give credit to authors; it is dishonest and not professional.

Activity 2-3: Learn to summarize other authors’ ideas

Try summarizing the original text below alone and then work with your partners to choose the best work of yours.

Is the sample summary well done? Why or why not?