Writing with Sources How to Help Students Avoid Misusing Source Material in Their Work Ted Roggenbuck—Bloomsburg University Writing Center

Writing with Sources

How to Help Students Avoid Misusing Source Material in

Their WorkTed Roggenbuck—Bloomsburg University Writing Center

Credible and Ethical Credible and Ethical Use of Source MaterialUse of Source Material

I. Direct QuotationI. Direct Quotation

II. Summary and ParaphraseII. Summary and Paraphrase

On a blank piece of paper, paraphrase the paragraph below from Doris Lessing’s The Prisons We Choose to Live Inside.

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (Lessing 49-50) and govern us. (Lessing 49-50)

Problems to AvoidProblems to Avoid

1. plagiarism of 1. plagiarism of languagelanguage

2. plagiarism of 2. plagiarism of ideasideas

3 intentional misrepresentation of source through 3 intentional misrepresentation of source through omissionomission or or alteration of contextalteration of context or or misrepresentation through errormisrepresentation through error

GOOD DIRECT QUOTATION?GOOD DIRECT QUOTATION?

ORIGINALORIGINAL

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50)

Direct QuotationDirect Quotation

While I believe that humans should behave in a civilized manner, some While I believe that humans should behave in a civilized manner, some people think of us as animals: “We are group animals” (Lessing 49-50). people think of us as animals: “We are group animals” (Lessing 49-50).


ORIGINALORIGINAL

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animalsWe are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50)


While I believe that humans should behave in a civilized manner, some While I believe that humans should behave in a civilized manner, some people think of us as animals: “We are group animals” (Lessing 49-50). people think of us as animals: “We are group animals” (Lessing 49-50).

MISREPRESENTATION—Quotation is placed in a new context that MISREPRESENTATION—Quotation is placed in a new context that changes its meaning.changes its meaning.


ORIGINALORIGINAL

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) 50)


Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with … . not understanding the social laws that govern groups and wrong with … . not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50).govern us” (49-50).


ORIGINALORIGINAL

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50)


Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with … . not understanding the social laws that govern groups and wrong with … . not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50).govern us” (49-50).

MISREPRESENTATION—Omitted words change the meaning of the MISREPRESENTATION—Omitted words change the meaning of the original.original.

What Punctuation Says to ReadersWhat Punctuation Says to ReadersORIGINALORIGINAL

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people…are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50)

I’m going to use another author’s language exactly as it appeared in I’m going to use another author’s language exactly as it appeared in the original.the original.

Doris Lessing says that Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing

wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50).govern us” (49-50).



I have to make a change to another author’s language.I have to make a change to another author’s language.

Doris Lessing says that Doris Lessing says that “[ww]e are group animals still, and there is nothing e are group animals still, and there is nothing

wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us” (49-50).govern us” (49-50).

(CMS and APA do not require editorial brackets for uppercase and lowercase changes)



I’m finished using another author’s language; after this I am using my I’m finished using another author’s language; after this I am using my own language again.own language again.

Doris Lessing says that Doris Lessing says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups and

govern usgovern us” (49-50).(49-50).



This idea can be found on these pages of the original source. You This idea can be found on these pages of the original source. You can consult my works cited or reference page for information about can consult my works cited or reference page for information about how to get to that source.how to get to that source.

Doris Lessing Doris Lessing says that says that “[w]e are group animals still, and there is [w]e are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups nothing wrong with….not understanding the social laws that govern groups

and govern usand govern us” (49-50).

Two Tools for Giving Credit

“Credit for language”—Quotation Marks

Credit for ideas–name and parenthetical information.

(page numbers or other information)

Summary & ParaphraseSummary & Paraphrase

GOOD PARAPHRASE?GOOD PARAPHRASE?ORIGINALORIGINAL


MY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINALMY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINAL

I am a firm believer that while it is fine for us to always be in groups, what might be harmful to us is not realizing how we are affected by them.

GOOD PARAPHRASE?GOOD PARAPHRASE?ORIGINALORIGINAL


MY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINALMY PARAPHRASE OF THE ORIGINAL

I am a firm believer that while it is fine for us to always be in groups, what might be harmful to us is not realizing how we are affected by them.

3. PLAGIARIZED IDEA—WHAT HAVE I DONE TO ACKNOWLEDGE TO MY READERS THAT THE IDEA COMES FROM DORRIS LESSING.

EVEN IF I AM USING MY OWN LANGUAGE, I NEED TO CREDIT MY SOURCES FOR THEIR IDEAS.

GOOD SUMMARY?GOOD SUMMARY?

ORIGINAL (paragraph 4)ORIGINAL (paragraph 4)

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) (49-50)

In “Group Minds” Doris Lessing claims that what is dangerous is not the In “Group Minds” Doris Lessing claims that what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, but not understanding the group laws that govern belonging to a group, but not understanding the group laws that govern us (49-50). us (49-50).

GOOD SUMMARY?GOOD SUMMARY?

ORIGINAL (paragraph 4)ORIGINAL (paragraph 4)

The fact is that we all live our lives in groups…. Most people … are always seeking groups to belong to, and if one group dissolves, they look for another. We are group animals still, and there is nothing wrong with that. But what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, or groups, but not understanding the social laws that govern groups and govern us. (49-50) (49-50)

In “Group Minds” Doris Lessing claims thatIn “Group Minds” Doris Lessing claims that what is dangerous is not the what is dangerous is not the belonging to a group, but not understanding the group laws that govern belonging to a group, but not understanding the group laws that govern us (49-50). us (49-50).

PLAGIARIZED--I am giving Lessing credit for the idea, but I’m stealing her language (even though I’m not stealing it word for word).

GOOD PARAPHRASE?GOOD PARAPHRASE?

ORIGINALORIGINAL

“ “Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12).

MY PARAPHRASEMY PARAPHRASE

In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).

GOOD PARAPHRASE?GOOD PARAPHRASE?

ORIGINALORIGINAL

“Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12).

“MY” PARAPHRASE

In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).

MISUSE OF LANGUAGEMISUSE OF LANGUAGE

ORIGINALORIGINAL

“ “Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12).

““MY” PARAPHRASEMY” PARAPHRASE

In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses howOng also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).

DO FACULTY WANT THIS FROM STUDENTS?

ORIGINAL

“Readers over the ages have had to learn this game of literacy, how to conform themselves to the projections of the writers they read, or at least how to operate in terms of these projections. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that ‘really’ doesn’t exist” (Ong 12).

PARAPHRASE

In addition to discussing how successful writers can fictionalize an audience, Ong also discusses how readers have had to learn the game of literacy by conforming themselves to be the imagined audience of the writers they read. They have to know how to play the game of being a member of an audience that doesn’t actually exist (Ong 12).

Why This Might be Confusing

You have always done this, and nobody has said there was a problem

1. Your teachers

--can’t change font color to make it stand out

--may not have the original in front of him/her

--have 50 to 100 papers to respond to

--might not want to accuse you of “plagiarism” because “patchwriting” is not the same as

downloading a paper

Editing vs. Paraphrase

Paraphrase is not editing or changing another’s language.

Paraphrase is stating another’s idea in your own language.

STRATEGY—STRATEGY—BECOME PROACTIVEBECOME PROACTIVE

Bring drafts and sources and questions to faculty Bring drafts and sources and questions to faculty beforebefore you you turn work in to be evaluated.turn work in to be evaluated.

When paraphrasingWhen paraphrasing– Read and interpret the idea to yourself.Read and interpret the idea to yourself.

– Close the book/laptop/screen.Close the book/laptop/screen.

– Paraphrase what you understand.Paraphrase what you understand.

– Reread the original asking two questionsReread the original asking two questions

a)a) Am I illegitimately borrowing language?Am I illegitimately borrowing language?

b)b) Have I adequately captured the idea?Have I adequately captured the idea?

– If you are satisfied, move on. If not, do it again.If you are satisfied, move on. If not, do it again.

Come to the writing center and talk to us.Come to the writing center and talk to us.

Ways To Use This Presentation

1. Assign challenging reading material as homework.

2. Have students paraphrase in class.

3. Group activity--“Accidentally” misuse a source in one of the ways discussed. Next, pass the group’s work to the next group and have them try to identify the problem. (See handout).

Works Cited

Lessing, Doris. The Prisons We Choose to Live Inside. Toronto: CBC Enterprises, 1986. Print.

Ong, Walter. “The Writer’s Audience Is Always a Fiction.” PMLA 90.1 (1975): 9-21. Print.

Documents

Writing with Sources How to Help Students Avoid Misusing Source Material in Their Work Ted Roggenbuck—Bloomsburg University Writing Center