The document discusses how to properly cite sources in an essay using signal phrases and parenthetical citations. It describes three ways to incorporate outside information: summaries, paraphrases, and quotes. For each, it emphasizes using a signal phrase and parenthetical citation. The document also explains how to integrate sources using a "source sandwich" approach of a signal phrase, the source text, and an explanation of how it supports the writer's point.

1. Summaries, Paraphrases,
and Quotes

2. Citing a Source
 When using an outside source, it is key to cite your use
of the source in your essay. In other words, you need to
give credit to another person’s ideas.
 There are two ways of citing an outside source in the
text of your essay:
 Signal Phrase – using a short introductory phrase that tells
who the author is and/or where the outside information is
from.
Ex. In her book Badlands, Sarah Jones argues…
 Parenthetical citation – a citation at the end of the section
that uses outside ideas that tells who the author is and/or
where the outside information is from.
Ex. (Jones 12)

3. Ways of Source Use
 There are three main ways to use a source:
 Summaries
 Paraphrases
 Quotations

4. Summaries
 A summary is restating the main ideas or points of an
outside source in your own words.
 A summary needs to stay true to what the author of the
outside source is saying. A summary is a way of
presenting the general ideas of an author to your
reader.
 You should also tailor your summary to meet the goals of
your essay. Avoid summarizing information that is
irrelevant to the points that you are making.
 Always use a signal phrase to introduce a summary and
use a parenthetical citation if possible.

5. Paraphrases
 A paraphrase is when you restate a specific portion of a
text in your own words; usually a sentence or two.
 A paraphrase needs to be syntactically different than
the original source. This means that you cannot simply
substitute words when paraphrasing. Your paraphrase
needs to be written in a completely different manner
from the original language.
 Always use a signal phrase and a parenthetical citation
when using a paraphrase.

6. Quotes
 A quote is copy word-for-word of what the author said
in your essay.
 It is important to be sure to use quotation marks “”
when using a quote.
 Also remember that a quote can be shorter than a full
sentence. The use of a short phrase or specific term
from a source will need to be cited.
 Always use a signal phrase and a parenthetical citation
when using a quote.

7. Integrating a Source
 Anytime you use a source, it is key that you properly
integrate the outside information into your essay, so
that it makes sense in your essay.
 To properly integrate your source it is key to create a
Source Sandwich, which has three parts:
 A signal phrase (the top bun)
 The use of the source (the meat)
 An explanation of what the outside information means and
how it supports your point (the bottom bun)

8. Explaining Your Source
 There are several ways of starting the explanatory
sentence of your source sandwich. For example:
 Basically, X is saying…
 In other words, X believes…
 In making this comment, X argues that…
 X’s point is that… and as you can see this supports my point
by…