1. Workshop: Paraphrasing and Avoiding Plagiarism
Elena González Rivera, Ed.D.
September 20, 2013
BIOL 3095

2. Objectives Define the terms Discuss effective ways to summarize
Paraphrasing
Direct Quoting
Summarizing
Discuss effective ways to summarize
Identify appropriate transitional words
Practice effective ways of paraphrasing
Define plagiarism and identify it
Discuss how to find your own voice and avoid plagiarism

3. Exercise # 1
In your own words and without consulting a dictionary, write your definition of
Paraphrasing
Summarizing
Direct quoting

4. I. Definitions Paraphrasing involves:
expressing the text in your own words.
producing a slightly shorter version of the original text.
crediting the author for their intellectual production.
Source:
OWL University of Perdue Writing Lab

5. I. Definitions Summarizing involves:
placing only the author’s main idea(s) into your own words.
recognizing the author’s contribution by citing him/her.
making a significantly shorter version of the text.
Source:
OWL University of Perdue Writing Lab

6. I. Definitions Direct quotations must:
be a carbon copy of the original text.
refer to a limited segment of the source.
give credit to the author.
Source:
OWL University of Perdue Writing Lab

7. Exercise #2 Summarizing Read handout #1 on Summarizing
Facts about summarizing

8. II. Transitional Words Making logical transitions between ideas
Alternative—some examples of alternative transitional words are: either, or, nor, on the other hand, however, neither, and otherwise. They are used when you can alternate between two concepts or expressions.
Causal— include thus, then, unless, subsequently, therefore, because, consequently, as a result, if, in order to/that, for, and so. They can be used when referring to consequences or effects.
Illustrative—phrases such as for example, for instance, to illustrate, and as an example permit us to clarify an idea by connecting it to an example.
Repetitive, reiterative— expressions such as include in other words, in short, that is, stated simply, and to put it another way help add clarity through meaningful repetition
Spatial, physical—prepositions like the words under, beside, on top of, next to, behind, point to a physical/spatial relationship between things mentioned in two separate statements
There are also transitional words to denote time (“first”), purpose (“to this end”), summary (“without doubt”), and addition (“equally important”)

9. Paragraph model - transitional words
Studies show that there has been an increase in the number of people who support “medicide,” which happens when people with terminal diseases choose to end their lives, rahter than continue living. One common argument for this growing support is that people should not be forced to continue living if they are in severe pain and cannot live with this constant pain). A second reason is that staying in the hospital for a long time often causes a financial burden on the family. Terminally ill people often worry about the hardship that this will cause their families. Finally, people who are dying sometimes lose hope. Even if they are alive, they can often only lie in bed, and for some people, this is not “life.” While many people believe that medicide is an “unnatural way to die” and should remain illegal, sick people should certainly have the right to end their lives if they want.
(Topic sentence)
(Supporting sentence 1)
(Supporting sentence 2)
(Supporting sentence 3)
(Counterargument or rebuttal)
Source: Dr. José Santos “Module for INGL 3201” 2007

10. III. Effective Paraphrasing
6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing
1. Re-read a selection until you fully understand it before
trying to paraphrase
2. Close the selection and paraphrase from memory
3. Give your paraphrase a topic title and write
yourself a footnote reminding you how you could use it in
the future
4. Compare your text with the author’s
5. Place borrowed terms or phrases in quotation marks
6. Jot down all bibliographic information for citation
“Write it in Your Own Words” by Dana Lynn Driscoll and Allen Brizee, June 2010

11. III. How to Paraphrase Elements to consider:
The University of New South Wales in Sydney Australia mention the same steps to paraphrasing as Purdue but adds other important elements to consider.
Elements to consider:
Meaning: maintain the same ideas and the same relationship between them
Words: Use synonyms except for specialized subject vocabulary
C. Phrases: If you want to retain unique or specialist phrases, use quotation marks (“ “)
D. Structure: Do not maintain the same grammatical or sentence structure as the author. (Vary sentence length, change from active to passive voice, or use adjectives instead of nouns)
D. Order: Change the order in which the text is presented without altering the ideas
E. Attitude: Reflect the author’s attitude in your version of the text (ex. critical, confident, etc.)
Source:

12. Exercise #3 Read handout #2 entitled: Paraphrasing and documentation
If the hyperlink does not work, refer to the document I attached along with the presentation.

13. Exercise #4
Now that you have read an example of a paraphrase, complete the following exercise by evaluating the quality of 3 paraphrased versions of a test. Handout #3 contains the exercise.
Compare paraphrases

14. Exercise #5
Now you will practice paraphrasing 5 passages by completing handout #4
Paraphrasing exercises

15. IV. AVOID PLAGIARISM: USE YOUR OWN WORDS

16. Define Plagiarism Plagiarism is Plagiarism has serious consequences
taking another person’s ideas and pretending they are yours
a type of intellectual theft
the result of ignorance or deliberate intention
Plagiarism has serious consequences

17. Example of Plagiarism
“Zakaria apologized “unreservedly” to Jill Lapore for cribbing a passage from her New Yorker piece, but he was suspended nonetheless. (From left: Jason Andrew / Contour by Getty Images; no credit; Amy Sussman / Getty Images-New Yorker)” Taken from the Daily Beast.

18. Example of Plagiarism
“A la derecha, Janet Marilyn Hernández, una publicista venezolana, a la izquierda, el doctor Iván Ríos Hernández, profesor de publicidad.” Note: Taken from Noticel at

19. Clarification of Term Take the plagiarism quiz

20. How Does Plagiarism Happen?
“Intellectual insecurity related to using your own words
The Problem: It’s a Paradox
Contradictions about academic writing:
You are expected to: 1. refer to experts, and
2. produce 'original' work
How can you do both?
Solution:
Develop arguments or views based on research.
Come to your own conclusions based on your research.

21. How Does Plagiarism Happen?
The Solution
Find your voice and incorporate it into your own writing.
In assignments synthesize answers from the opinions of others.
Be like a DJ - draw information from many sources and show it in a new light –YOUR LIGHT, YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Finding your own voice = producing something of your own from the ideas/research of others

22. Four Steps to Finding Your Own Voice
Overt
Original Research
Organization
Integration

23. Four Steps to Finding Your Own Voice
1. Overt
One way is to write yourself into the essay (use first person)
For example: 'I will argue that …’
'In this essay I argue that... '’
From our investigations we conclude that …
The researchers of this study concludes…
One can conclude from this investigation…
2. 'Original' Research
go beyond the material presented in class
reading more widely
construct a different argument from other students, show your individuality

24. Four Steps to Finding Your Own Voice
3. Organization
“The way you put your essays together may give them a distinctive quality.”
“The order of the paragraphs is your choice.”
“Impose your framework over the question, and don't let your sources dictate the structure of your essay either.”
4. Integration
choosing the right words
“What transition signals and reporting verbs (states, argues, asserts, writes etc.) do you use?”

25. Using the Correct Words
Evans states that 'the sky is red' (2001:8).
states' indicates that you have a largely neutral stance toward the idea expressed.
Evans argues that 'the sky is red' (Evans, 2001:8)
'argues' indicates that you think that Evans supports his opinion with argument & evidence
Evans asserts that 'the sky is red' (Evans, 2001:8
‘asserts' indicates that you think that Evans does not fully support his idea
Evans claims that 'the sky is red' (Evans, 2001:8)
'claims' indicates that you think that Evans does not support his idea at all
Evans rightly argues that 'the sky is red' (2001:8)
'rightly argues' indicates that you agree strongly with the view
Evans wrongly argues that 'the sky is red' (2001:8
'wrongly argues' indicates that you disagree with conclusion that Evans has drawn
Evans is partially correct when he argues that 'the sky is red' (200 1: 8)
'partially correct' suggests that you agree with some, but not all, of Evans' view

26. Exercise #6 Include a direct quote in your summary
In the next seminar assignment paraphrase a passage from it.
Summarize the content of the seminar.
Include a direct quote in your summary