33 In-text references: paraphrasing or summarising sources

General

In the English language-using academic world it is vital that your thinking is your own, and that it is represented in your own words supported by reference to the words of others. However, it is not always possible to use quotations, either because you may not be able to find an appropriate one or it may be too lengthy to integrate. At times like this you will need the skills of paraphrase, summary and synthesis.

Paraphrasing means changing the words of a text so that the product is significantly different from the original source, without changing the meaning. Effective paraphrasing is a key academic skill needed to avoid the risk of plagiarism. A summary is a short and selective version of another text’s main ideas and is substantially shorter than the original providing a broad overview of the text. Summarising aims to reduce information to suitable length; paraphrasing attempts to restate relevant information. The following section focuses on acknowledging sources in a summary, which in principle also applies to paraphrasing somebody else’s ideas.

Summarising and indirect citing

Once you have identified suitable material for your assignment or project, you need to make a number of adjustments before you can incorporate it into your assignment. A summary, usually a shortened version of the text, is one such adjustment.

A summary should contain the chosen main points from the original text in a condensed manner. It should be written in your own words and you must acknowledge the source.

You need to thoroughly understand the source material you are working with. Some tips:

• Skim the text, noting the subheadings in your mind.
• Then read it again, highlighting important information or taking notes.
• In your own words, write down the main points of each section. Try to write a one-sentence summary of each section (one sentence might not be enough but is a useful strategy to focus on the key messages).
• Write down the key support points for the main topic.
• When you write the summary, make sure it reads smoothly. Use enough transition devices. You do not want a collection of sentences that do not flow.

Language focus: