As a student, properly integrating sources into your research papers is essential for building a strong, well-supported argument. There are three main ways to incorporate source material into your writing: 

  • Quoting
  • Paraphrasing
  • Summarizing

Using these techniques effectively and appropriate signal phrases allows you to smoothly blend evidence from credible sources with your own analysis and ideas.

Quoting

Direct quotes from a source can add emphasis, authority, or precision to your point when the original wording is exceptionally well-stated or distinctive. Quotes should always be enclosed in quotation marks and accompanied by a citation.

Use quotes judiciously. Only when the text is remarkable or expresses something better than you could rephrase it. Too many quotes can disrupt the flow of your writing.

  • Example: In exploring the concept of emotional intelligence, Salovey and Mayer state, “Being able to monitor feelings from moment to moment is crucial to psychological insight and self-understanding” (1990, p. 200).

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing involves restating a passage from a source in your own words while preserving its original meaning and intent. This shows your comprehension of the material while integrating it into the context of your own argument. Paraphrased content must also be cited.

Effective paraphrasing goes beyond simply substituting words with synonyms. It requires carefully processing and synthesizing the source information into a new articulation. Maintaining the clarity and accuracy of the original meaning is key.

  • Example: Psychologists have found that recognizing and managing your emotions is vital in gaining deeper self-awareness and perspective (Salovey & Mayer, 1990).

Summarizing

A summary is the proper technique for incorporating a broad source overview. It captures the main points, arguments, hypotheses, or findings from a larger work concisely. Like quotes and paraphrases, summaries must include a citation to the original source.

Effective summaries are objective, hit the key concepts, and are much shorter than the source material being encapsulated. They are useful for giving background context and establishing relevant source information.

  • Example: In their seminal 1990 research, Salovey and Mayer outlined the core capacities and implications of emotional intelligence, emphasizing that perceiving, understanding, and regulating emotions play integral roles in problem-solving, adaptation, and overall psychological functionality.

Signal Phrases

As you incorporate quoted, paraphrased, or summarized material from sources, signal phrases help smoothly identify and transition this content into your writing. Signal phrases introduce sourced information so your reader is clear about when you are stating your own ideas versus integrating evidence from other works.

Common signal phrases include verbs like “argues,” “states,” “explains,” and “claims,” or phrases like “according to” or “as noted by.” Varying these signal phrases helps keep your integration of source material clear yet stylistically appealing.

  • Example With Quote: Emotional intelligence author Daniel Goleman asserts, “If there is one single part of the landscape that illustrates the principles of emotional intelligence, it would have to be family life” (2004, p. 3).
  • Example With Paraphrase: One study contends that individuals who can exercise emotional self-regulation and empathy often demonstrate greater capacity to maintain healthy relationships (Goleman, 2004).

Signal phrases and in-text citations help distinguish sourced material from your own writing. Major citation styles like APA and MLA have formatting rules you must follow.