Summarising, Paraphrasing and Quoting - How to Refer to Experts Without Plagiarism

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Liam

Summarising, paraphrasing and quoting guidance explains why writers refer to experts: to support ideas, help readers locate original sources, and prevent plagiarism. The document compares four referral strategies—summary, generalisations, paraphrasing, and direct quoting—and provides step-by-step methods for effective summarising and paraphrasing. It also discusses appropriate uses of direct quotation across disciplines and assignments, and shows how to synthesise sources into cohesive paragraphs using models like TEEL.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Steps to effective summarising

Steps to effective paraphrasing

Using direct quotations

Synthesizing sources into your writing

Summarising, paraphrasing and quoting You need to refer the work of experts in your writing for several reasons: • To support your ideas • To allow your reader to find your original sources • To avoid plagiarism. Four common strategies allow you to refer to the work of others: • Summary – reporting the main ideas of one text • Generalisations – reporting the main ideas of several similar texts written in one summary • Paraphrasing – reporting a specific idea or finding selected from a text • Quoting – using the exact words of a text | Steps to effective summarising | Steps to effective paraphrasing | | --- | --- | | 1. Read the text to confirm understanding. | 1. Read the text to confirm understanding. | | 2. Find the main ideas in the text. | 2. Select the specific point you need. | | 3. Make notes on the main ideas. | 3. Analyse the language of the sentence. | | 4. Rewrite the main ideas in your own words. | 4. Rewrite the specific point in your own words. | | 5. Check the content and language of your summary. | 5. Check the content and language of your paraphrase. | | 6. Synthesize your summary into your essay. | 6. Synthesize your paraphrase into your paragraph. | Using direct quotations The use of direct quotation can vary according to discipline and assignment type. One reason for this is lecturers want to encourage students to show their understanding of an issue by using their own words. However, you may want to quote directly when giving a definition, referring to a professional standard or regulation, or quoting an interview. Synthesizing sources into your writing After creating your summary or paraphrase, you must synthesize it into your assignment. Remember: • Avoid creating a paragraph that is one citation after another, like a shopping list. • Ensure your personal voice is evident to the reader – other voices, such as your citation, should support your idea. • Create a cohesive paragraph following the TEEL/C model – topic sentence, explanation, evidence, link/concluding sentence. • Demonstrate your critical thinking by drawing links between or elaborating on the paraphrase or direct quotation.

FAQs

Why should writers refer to the work of experts?

Writers refer to experts to support their ideas, enable readers to find original sources, and avoid plagiarism.

What are the main strategies for referring to other works?

The strategies include summary, generalisations, paraphrasing, and quoting exact words from a source.

How does the document recommend synthesising sources into an assignment paragraph?

It recommends avoiding paragraphs that are just citations, making personal voice evident, building cohesion with the TEEL/C model, and demonstrating critical thinking by linking ideas or elaborating on paraphrases and quotes.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Liam