A-manual-for-writers-of-research-papers-theses-and-dissertations

label the places (see fig. 4.1, with places for a Claim, Data, and My Qs).In particular, create a section specifically dedicated to your own responses, agreements,disagreements, speculations, and so on. That will encourage you to do more than simplyrecord the content of what you read.When you quote the words of a source, record them in a distinctive color or font size andstyle so that you can recognize quotations at a glance, and enclose them in large quotationmarks in case the file loses its formatting.When you paraphrase a passage (see 4.2.2), record the paraphrase in a distinctive color orfont so that you can't possibly mistake it for your own ideas, and enclose it in curlybrackets (in case the file loses its formatting).If you can't take notes directly on a computer, make paper copies of the template.4.2.2 Know When to Summarize, Paraphrase, or QuoteIt would take you forever to transcribe the exact words of every source you might want to use,so you must know when not to quote, but to summarize or paraphrase.Summarize when you need only the general point of a passage, section, or even wholearticle or book. Summary is useful for general context or related but not specifically relevantdata or views. A summary of a source never serves as good evidence (see 5.4.2 for more onevidence).Paraphrase when you can represent what a source says more clearly or pointedly than itdoes. Paraphrase doesn't mean just changing a word or two. You must use your own wordsand your own phrasing to replace most of the words and phrasing of the passage (see 7.9.2). Aparaphrase is never as good evidence as a direct quotation.Record exact quotations when they serve these purposes:The quoted words constitute evidence that backs up your reasons. If, for example, youwanted to claim that different regions responded to the Battle of the Alamo differently, youwould quote exact words from different newspapers. You would paraphrase them if youneeded only their general sentiments.The words are from an authority who backs up your view.They are strikingly original.They express your ideas so compellingly that the quotation can frame the rest of yourdiscussion.They state a view that you disagree with, and to be fair you want to state that viewexactly.www.itpub.net