What you’ll learn to do: synthesize outside sources with your own writing through effective quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing

Well-integrated source material can build the strength of your argument, but integrating sources is a difficult task. Incorporating someone else’s ideas and words into your own writing can be confusing. Fortunately, certain strategies can help—this section will help you learn to integrate sources smoothly using a strategy known as the “source sandwich.” You’ll learn the best ways to include a quote from another source as well as how to integrate paraphrased and summarized passages alongside your own words.

You are the ultimate author of your text, so your words and ideas should make up the bulk of your writing. Using other sources effectively, however, allows you to place your writing into a broader conversation and thus to strengthen and enhance the credibility of your work.