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Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s).
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Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.
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A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing. What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing? This handout compares and contrasts the three terms, gives some pointers, and includes a short excerpt that you can use to practice these skills. This handout is intended to help you become more comfortable with the uses of and distinctions among quotations, paraphrases, and summaries.
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