Why we use quotes and

paraphrases
The use of direct quotes and paraphrases to support your
discussion and argument is vital for quality academic writing and to
avoid claims of plagiarism. Students can use direct quotes and
paraphrases, to achieve many purposes such as:
 To orientate the reader in the introduction of an essay to key
research in the field
 To show how significant a topic is
 To support the claims made in the essay or task
 To outline, explain, compare and / or give examples of varying
opinions in the field or highlight a position that a student may wish to
agree or disagree with
 To demonstrate broad reading and knowledge on a topic
 Direct quotes
In general, quotations should be used infrequently in academic
writing. You should use a quotation only when you need to:
1. Include an author’s language that is particularly effective,
well-stated, important within the discipline, historically
significant, or striking or unique
2. Present an idea or opinions that either cannot be
paraphrased concisely or cannot be paraphrased without
changing the meaning in some way
3. Present an idea or position to critique, comment upon or
agree/disagree with (this position should be one that
cannot be easily stated through paraphrasing)
 An example of a direct quote
This is an appropriate use of a direct quote because it used the
author’s own emotive words to provide a strong opinion and
also because it combines the direct quote with paraphrasing
from the original text.

On the basis of empirical evidence, Weller and Webber

(2001) argue that there has been growing polarisation of the
Australian labour force and that “precarious and unstable
careers have been the outcome of the structural changes in
the economy” (p.192), at least in the textiles, clothing and
footwear industries.
 Direct quote: summary
Students should understand that while the use of direct
quotes is an important part of academic writing, direct
quotes should only be used sparingly (i.e., very little).
The preferred method of incorporating sources into
academic writing is through the use of paraphrases.
The remainder of this PowerPoint presentation will focus on
explaining in detail how to develop high quality
paraphrases.
 Paraphrasing
A paraphrase is a restatement of someone else’s ideas,
evidence or opinions using your own words.

A paraphrase is usually of similar length to the original.

In academic writing, a paraphrase is usually confined to

restating sentences or key findings of a study.

Summaries, on the other hand, are more appropriate for

longer pieces of text.

Summaries are always shorter than the original text.

 Why is paraphrasing often
preferred?
1. Paraphrasing helps students learn
2. Paraphrasing is concise
3. Paraphrasing helps to limit the
temptation to overuse quotes
4. Paraphrasing helps to better
demonstrate a synthesis of evidence
The 2 major steps of paraphrasing
There are 2 major steps involved with
paraphrasing original text.

1. Technical changes to the original text

2. Interpreting and synthesising source

material into the discussion via
selecting, condensing, interpreting
and/or evaluating
 Technical changes
The first step to successfully paraphrase an idea from
source material requires making technical changes to
the original text.

The types of technical changes can be summarised

as:
a. Substituting similar words (changing the
vocabulary)
b. Changing the sentence structure
c. Changing the word order
 Interpreting and synthesising
The second step needed to create a successful paraphrase
involves synthesising the original idea into the essay to
build an argument or substantiate a particular position.
This type of paraphrasing is very important in terms
producing quality academic writing.

These interpretative changes that are part of the second step of

paraphrasing can be summarised as:
a. Selecting text
b. Condensing text
c. Clarifying text and / or
d. Interpreting text
 Interpreting source material
These interpretative changes of paraphrasing (i.e.,
selecting, condensing and clarifying the text) assist
students to interpret their sources and evidence so
that
students can:

 Comment on or interpret the original source

 Evaluate the original the source
 Compare the original with other sources
 Examples of technical changes to
text
Original Text
Researchers have come to recognize that many of the alleged
distortions induced by financial leverage rest on the factually
incorrect premise that managers’ interests are identical with
those of shareholders. (30 words)
Change the vocabulary (and condense)
Authors have realised that many possible distortions
caused by financial leverage result from the mistaken
premise that managers’ interests are the same as
shareholders’ interests. (25 words)
Now change the structure (and condense further)
The mistaken premise that managers’ interests are the same
as shareholders’ interests causes many possible distortions
related to financial leverage. (20 words)
 Examples of interpretation &
synthesis
Original Text
Researchers have come to recognize that many of the alleged
distortions induced by financial leverage rest on the factually
incorrect premise that managers’ interests are identical with
those of shareholders.
Synthesis into another argument for an essay
The mistaken premise that shareholders’ interests are the
same as managers’ interests causes many problems with
various theoretical models relating to risk incentives. Garvey
and Mawani (2005) argue, for example, that this mistaken
premise results in possible distortions related to financial
leverage errors. Another problem is that ...
Paraphrasing: longer text examples
Original text: Wong et al
The high rate of turnover has been a substantial
problem in managing Chinese employees in joint
ventures in the People’s Republic of China. This is
particularly true for two groups of employees. First,
there has been shortage of middle-level managers
because of the increased economic development
over the past twenty years. This shortage has
hindered many multinational corporations’
localization plans because local managers who
have been trained for succession have usually
ended up as the focus of aggressive recruiting
efforts by other organizations.
 Technical changes
ORIGINAL
The high rate of turnover has been a
substantial problem in managing
Chinese employees in joint
ventures in the People’s Republic of
China. This is particularly true for
two groups of employees.
First, there has been shortage of
middle-level managers because of
the increased economic
development over the past twenty
years.
This shortage has hindered many
multinational corporations’
localization plans because local
managers who have been trained
for succession have usually ended
up as the focus of aggressive
recruiting efforts by other
organizations.
PARAPHRASE
Vocabulary changes
(& condense text where
possible & appropriate)
A high rate of turnover among local
staff has been a significant
challenge in joint ventures in China.
First, there has been a shortage of
middle-level managers to due to
rapid economic development during
the past two decades.
This shortage has proved an
obstacle to many multinationals’
localization plans because local
managers who have been trained to
take over the roles of expatriates
have regularly been poached by
rival organizations.
PARAPHRASE
Word order changes
(+ condense text where
possible & appropriate)
A significant challenge for joint
ventures in China has been the high
levels of local staff turnover.
First, the rapid economic development
during the past two decades has
caused a shortage of middle-level
managers.
Fierce competition to recruit these
managers has led to poaching by
rival organizations. As these local
managers have often been training to
take over the roles of expatriates,
this has proved an obstacle to the
localization of many joint ventures
involving multinationals.
 Interpreting and synthesising
The role of organisational commitment in staff turnover has been less well
researched in developing countries, despite the research being needed
for effective joint venture planning. For example, a significant challenge
for joint ventures involving multinationals in China has been the high
levels of local staff turnover. A shortage of middle-level managers and
resulting fierce competition to recruit them, has led to poaching by rival
organisations. As these local managers have often been training to take
over the roles of expatriates, high turnove has proved an obstacle to the
localisation of many joint ventures (Wong et al., 2001). Thus, lack of
organisational commitment by local managers can have implications
beyond the individual employee. An improved understanding of
organisational commitment across various cultural contexts, informed by
research, would assist planning and implementation for joint ventures.
 Conclusion
You should now have a better understanding of:

 Why paraphrasing is often the preferred method of

incorporating sources into academic writing
 The technical steps involved with the process of
creating a paraphrase
 The importance of interpreting and synthesising
sources into your work