Three common techniques used to work other people's words and ideas into your writing are quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing.
What is it? |
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| Quoting | Using the author's exact words. Always cite it and use "quotation marks." |
| Summarizing | Condensing the author's words or ideas without altering the meaning or providing interpretation—you use your own words for this. Basically, presenting the original information in a nutshell. Always cite it. |
| Paraphrasing | Restating, in your own words, the author's words or ideas without altering the meaning or providing interpretation. Paraphrases are about the same length as the original. Always cite it. |
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