Q. How can I integrate my source information into my writing?

To effectively use information from an outside source in your work, you will want to introduce, integrate, and explain the direct quotation or paraphrase.

 

Introduce

• A direct quotation should not stand on its own. It must always have an introductory phrase to help connect it to your other sentences.

• Both paraphrases and direct quotations must include an in-text or parenthetical citation.

Missing introductory phrase: “APA is essential to all Walden students” (Timmerman, 2013, p. 43).

Clear introductory phrase: Timmerman (2013) said, “APA is essential to all Walden students” (p. 43).

 

Integrate

• Source ideas should not be listed back-to-back, one citation after another. Take time to show how the differing perspectives are related and connected, integrating evidence with your own voice.

Missing integration (list of sources): Timmerman (2013) said, “APA is essential to all Walden students” (p. 43). According to Prince (2013), APA’s main purpose is to provide consistency for publications within a field of study.

Integrated ideas: Because APA’s main purpose is to provide consistency for publications within a field of study (Prince, 2013), one can see how Timmerman’s (2013) statement, “APA is essential to all Walden students” (p. 43), is accurate. 

 

Explain

• Ideas need to be explained in the context of your overall discussion and work. Be sure to explain how your ideas are relevant to your position or argument. 

Unexplained: Timmerman (2013) said, “APA is essential to all Walden students” (p. 43). According to Prince (2013), APA’s main purpose is to provide consistency for publications within a field of study.

Explained: Because APA’s main purpose is to provide consistency for publications within a field of study (Prince, 2013), one can see how Timmerman’s (2013) statement, “APA is essential to all Walden students” (p. 43), is accurate. For clarity, Walden students must maintain consistency with others in their field of study. 

 

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about how to integrate evidence and source information in your work. 
• Paraphrasing is an important component of integrating sources; find tips on paraphrasing on the Writing Center's website.
• Discover how you can use evidence in the recorded webinar "Building and Organizing Academic Arguments" in the webinar archive.

 

Further Questions?

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