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When and how to summarise, paraphrase and quote
In most written assignments, you will need to use information you have found in sources. Here are tips to help you decide whether to summarise, paraphrase or quote the original information
- Summarising means writing only the key points from a source to the key points only
- Paraphrasing means rewriting information and ideas from a source in your own words
- Quoting means using the exact words from a source (inside “quotation marks")
Summarise when you want to:
- Focus more on the meaning in a source than on the actual words used
- Provide an overview of a concept or topic
- Focus on only main ideas in a source
- Simplify and condense the information
- Present the information in your own writing style.
Paraphrase when you want to:
- Focus more on the meaning in a source than on the actual words used
- Include detailed information to explain points you are making
- Choose which details to emphasise
- Simplify and clarify the information
- Present the information in your own writing style.
Quote when you:
- Think it is important the reader knows exactly which words the original author used:
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- to present a definition
- to highlight wording that is particularly significant or unusual
- to analyse or critique the wording used
- Want to provide authority from a recognised expert.
Here is a simple example:
|
Quote |
Paraphrase |
Summary |
|
“Unless steps are taken to provide a predictable and stable energy supply in the face of growing demand, the nation may be in danger of sudden power losses or even extended blackouts, thus damaging our industrial and information-based economies. Building more gas-fired generation plants seems to be the best answer.” (Doe, 2007, p.37). |
Doe (2007) believes that we must construct additional power plants fuelled by natural gas if we are to have a reliable electricity supply during this period of increased usage. Without that, the country’s economic base (both industrial and information driven) may be damaged by lengthy blackouts or abrupt losses of power. |
According to Doe (2007), gas-fuelled power plants are the key to the sustainable electricity supply required for economic development. |
(Adapted from Harris, R. A. (2017). Using sources effectively: Strengthening your writing and avoiding plagiarism (5th ed.). Routledge, pp. 84-85.)
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- Firstly, read carefully to get a good understanding of the meaning of the information before attempting to restate it.
- Don't just replace the original words with synonyms (words with similar meaning). Synonyms can definitely help in the paraphrasing process, but is not enough to replace a few words in the sentence. The paraphrase needs to be written with your own sentence structure and in your own style of writing. It has to sound like you.
- Always cite where the idea came from with an in text citation.
Try one or more of these paraphrasing techniques:
- Reflect upon the source idea for a period of time without looking at the source. Once you have internalised its meaning, write the idea down in your own words, sentence structure and style, without referring back to the original. Check your paraphrase retains the meaning of the original.
- Explain the idea out loud, as though teaching it. Explaining an idea, like you would to a friend, makes you re-present the information in a simplified way so your audience can get it. Record yourself explaining aloud. Write down what you said. Formalise the wording.
- Identify technical v non-technical terms. Underline technical terms or scientific words that cannot be changed. Retain only technical terms when restating the idea in your own words, style and sentence structure.
- Outline. For longer paraphrases, in the margin of the original paragraph, bullet point a few words that summarise each sentence. Use these bulleted key words to re-formulate the original into your own paragraph construction, style and wording.
- Recycle. Take reading notes in paraphrased form. Paraphrase a second time when using the source in your writing (Be sure to label notes as “paraphrases” to distinguish these from notes that are quotations or your own comments.) Record where your paraphrase came from for the in text citation and reference list.
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Look at the way the words have been changed in the following two attempts at paraphrasing. Which attempt do you think is better?
Original source
Paraphrase 1
Paraphrase 2
Unless steps are taken to provide a predictable and stable energy supply in the face of growing demand, the nation may be in danger of sudden power losses or even extended blackouts, thus damaging our industrial and information-based economies. Building more gas-fired generation plants seems to be the best answer. — John Doe, 2007
Doe (2007) recommended that the government take action to provide a predictable and stable energy supply because of constantly growing demand. Otherwise, we may be in danger of losing power or even experiencing extended blackouts. These circumstances could damage our industrial and information-based economy. He says that gas-fired plants appear to be the best answer.
Doe (2007) believes that we must construct additional power plants fuelled by natural gas if we are to have a reliable electricity supply during this period of increased usage. Without that, the country’s economic base (both industrial and information driven) may be damaged by lengthy blackouts or abrupt losses of power.
Even though an in-text citation is included, Paraphrase 1 is poor because:
✘ Too much of the original writer’s wording is used. Even using small groupings of exactly the same words, can be plagiarism. (We call this ‘patchwork paraphrasing’.)
✘ The sentence structure and word order of the original writer have not been changed enough.
Paraphrase 2 is a good paraphrase because:
✔ The writer restates the idea in their own style of writing. This shows their understanding of the material.
✔ Sentence structures have been changed from the original.
✔ Vocabulary has been changed (where possible).
✔ The original ideas are accurately represented and key detail is included.
✔ An in-text citation is included.
Remember that if your writing does not look consistent, your marker will suspect plagiarism or use of AI.
(Table above is adapted from Harris, R. A. (2017). Using sources effectively: Strengthening your writing and avoiding plagiarism (5th ed.). Routledge, pp. 84-85.)
For more detailed tips, check out our resources on how to smoothly include, and cite, summaries, paraphrases and quotes in your writing.
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