The Writing Center and Ethel K. Smith Library Present:“Integrating Source Material,

Revising, and Proofreading”

Kevin Winchester, Writing Center Director

Source Material:Is necessary in most academic writing

genres

Serves as Supporting or Rebuttal Evidence or Example

May be from a Primary, Secondary, or

Tertiary Source

Must be presented as a Direct Quote,

Paraphrase or Summary

Why Use Quotations, Paraphrasing, or Summaries?Provide support for claims and add credibilityRefer to prior work leading up to your workGive examples of several points of view on

your subjectHighlight a particular phrase, sentence,

passage, or ideaCreate distance and cue readers that the

words are not your ownExpand the breadth and depth of your writing

2 Important Requirements for all Source Material:MUST be Properly

Cited

Gives credit to the original author

Identifies for your audience where the material originated and provides info for them to verify or research the source

MUST Read Seamlessly

within your essay

While the source material “belongs” to the original author, you are using it to support your position.

Choose a Format:Direct Quotation

Paraphrasing

Summarizing

SummarizingPuts the main idea into YOUR OWN words

Should be significantly shorter than the original source material

Presents a broad overview (the main point) of the original source material

Cite Properly

SummarizingUtilize your Research Dossier (Be sure to include citation info)

Read the entire source text—note the key points & main ideas

In your own words, state the single main idea of the source text

Review to make sure you didn’t include exact words or phrases from the source text

ParaphrasingA passage from source material rewritten in your own words

Usually shorter than the original source text

Takes a somewhat broader segment of the source and condenses it

Cite Properly

Effective ParaphrasingReread the passage until you understand its full meaning

Write your paraphrase on your research dossier

Jot down notes to remind you later how you’ll use this material

Compare your paraphrase to the original to make sure it’s accurate

Use quotation marks to identify words, terms, or short phrases taken directly from the source

MAKE SURE YOU RECORD CITATION INFO on your Research Dossier

Effective ParaphrasingIs better than quoting info from an undistinguished source

Is a legitimate way to “borrow” from a source as long as you cite properly

Provides more detail and support than a summary

QuotationsoAre identical to the original sourceoUse a narrow segment of the sourceoMatch the original source word for wordoMust be cited properly

QuotationsProvide support or rebuttals for your thesis

Must flow smoothly with your own writing style

In order for quotations to flow smoothly with your

own writing style, you must provide some

context for your reader.

Remember:

T-I-C

Each Time you use a Quote, Think: T-I-CT - Tagline

I - Interpretation

C - Connection

Tagline: Introduces the quote and establishes the source’s credibility

Interpretation: Explains your understanding or Interpretation of the evidence or support the quote provides

Connection: Explains and clarifies the Connection between the quote and your thesis or other evidence in your essay

This method creates a Complete Thought Cycle

IF ANY ONE PART is MISSING…

…the reader is confused.

In a Rolling Stone article, Marilyn Manson states, “from Jesse James to Charles Manson, the media have turned criminals into folk heroes” (citation). He implies the media sensationalizes the exploits of criminals and the media’s coverage feeds the criminals’ desire for fame and notoriety and that the general public is eager to bestow that notoriety upon them. As such, a disenfranchised youth may be influenced by the perceived fame of these criminals, which leads them to similar acts of violence against their peers, all in hopes of being heard.

Tagline: In a Rolling Stone article, Marilyn Manson states…

Interpretation: He implies the media sensationalizes the exploits of criminals…and that the general public is eager to bestow that notoriety upon them.

Connection: As such, a disenfranchised youth may be influenced by the perceived fame…which leads them to similar acts of violence…in the hopes of being heard.

You have your thesis, sources, and a rough draft…

…it’s time to REVISE

Revision vs. EditingREVISION EDITING“Re-seeing” the paper as a wholeAddresses Higher Order

Concerns: Organization, audience, development, support, etc.

Verifies the paper MEETS the REQUIREMENTS of the ASSIGNMENT

Comes after Revision, and after Proofreading

Focuses on Individual Sentences and Words

Addresses Lower Order Concerns: word choice, clarity, conciseness, grammar and mechanics

Revision Tips: Most importantly, take some time away from your paper.

RE-READ YOUR ASSIGNMENT SHEET!

Read your essay all the way through with the assignment sheet in mind and answer these questions:

-Did you meet all the assignment requirements? -Is the paper appropriate for audience and purpose?-Do you provide enough supporting evidence?-Does your paper flow in a natural order?

If not—revise, re-organize, or re-write

Don’t worry about LOC—that’s editing, NOT revising!

Other Revision Strategies:Leave yourself enough time—READ

SLOWLY!

Read the paper BACKWARDS

Read Aloud (record it and play it back!)

Ask a friend to read it to you

Visit the Writing Center

Next,

Proofread and Edit

ProofreadingAddresses Lower Order Concerns

Focuses on Individual Sentences and Words

Checks for clarity, conciseness, and sentence structure

Checks for Grammar and Mechanical Issues

To Proofread:Re-read your paper, slowly, looking for LOC errors

Run a Spell, Grammar, and Style Check with your computer adjusted to academic standards

Finally, utilize the Paramedic Editing Method

The Paramedic Editing Method

1) Circle the Prepositions2) Draw a box around the “is” verb forms3) Ask, “where’s the action?”4) Change the action into a verb5) Move the ‘doer’ into the subject (Who’s

kicking whom)6) Eliminate any unnecessary wind-ups7) Eliminate any redundancies or

repetition

Example of Paramedic EditingIn this paragraph is a demonstrationnn the use of good style in the writing of a report.

Find the action / eliminate slow wind-ups

Edited revision:

This paragraph demonstrates good style in report writing. The verb is more active

The “doer” is in the subject

In of ofin of

is

The Last Steps:Check the Assignment Sheet once more

Is your paper in the proper format?Title?Page Numbers?Spacing / Font?Properly Cited (MLA, APA, etc.)?

Turn It In!

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