Citation is the cornerstone of academically honest work. Citations within the text of research writing (or speaking) let the reader or audience know that research has been completed.
Citations also allow readers to trace ideas and further explore the topic for themselves.
Writers can choose several ways to include and cite others’ words and ideas in the body of papers: direct quotation, paraphrase, and summary.
Direct quotation...
is entire sentences or just phrases. Quantity of material used in a direct quote should be kept to the minimum; taking whole passages of another author’s work might be an indication that writers haven’t read and analyzed the source enough to put it into their own words.
is best used when the author’s words are so perfect that it’s not possible to improve them.
is most appropriate when the source contains unique terminology.
is usually followed by the author’s last name and page number in parentheses or footnote (depending on citation style).
Paraphrase...
rephrases a source/author’s words.
usually contains about the same amount of information as the source material.
still includes reference to the source author’s last name and sometimes page number (depending on citation style).
Summary...
distills a source’s ideas or concepts with one’s own words.
condenses original source material to essential content.