Academic writingLesson 4 of 6 in the course Argumentative Research: Enhancing the Art of Rhetoric with Evidence

Integrating, Editing, and Formatting Quotations in Academic Writing

5 flashcards · 5 quiz questions · 5 match pairs · 4 fill-in sentences · English

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Summary

Integrating sources well helps readers distinguish your ideas from borrowed ideas and understand why evidence matters to your argument. This lesson focuses on introducing sources with signal phrases and blending quotations into the flow of your writing.

A signal phrase (also called an attributory phrase) is a word or group of words that introduces borrowed material and indicates its source. It helps readers recognize when a writer is drawing on someone else’s words or ideas. Clear attribution also supports responsible documentation of intellectual property.

All flashcards

What is a signal phrase?
An introduction that identifies the source of borrowed material and prepares readers for it.
How should a writer choose a signal verb?
Select one that accurately represents the source’s purpose, action, or stance.
Why explain a quotation after presenting it?
To show how the evidence supports the writer’s own point.
What do ellipses and brackets show in quotations?
Ellipses mark omissions; brackets mark changes or additions made by the writer.
When is a direct quotation especially useful?
When the source’s exact wording is precise, clear, powerful, or vivid.

Quiz questions

  1. In MLA-style guidelines, how long may a brief prose quotation be before it is generally formatted as a block quotation?Answer: Four or fewer typed lines.
  2. How are longer prose quotations generally formatted in MLA style?Answer: Indented as a block, without quotation marks.
  3. What do ellipsis points indicate within a direct quotation?Answer: Words have been omitted.
  4. What should a writer do when shortening a direct quotation?Answer: Keep the source’s meaning and relevant qualifications intact.
  5. When is direct quotation generally preferable to paraphrase?Answer: When the source’s exact wording is especially effective or significant.

Based on Writing Guide with Handbook by Michelle Bachelor Robinson, Maria Jerskey, featuring Toby Fulwiler (OpenStax), licensed CC BY 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.

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