M.5 DropBox: Quoting and Paraphrasing
In a properly formatted 2 page memo with appropriate headings (see attached example), do the following:
Original Text
Copy-paste a passage of approximately 200 words from a page of your NPO’s website that you expect to use as information in your final Formal Report. Do not use source format for your pasted text:
In Word, right-click and select Keep Text Only.
In Google Docs, right-click and select Paste without Formatting.
Paragraph with Quoted Content
Based on the purpose and relevance of the copy-pasted content to your Report’s discussion, write a paragraph (or two) that you would include in your finished Formal Report. This paragraph must be your own words and must include two direct quotes from the passage. Frame each individual quote within the paragraph using a signal phrase and an explanation of the quote’s relevance. See quotations in The Business Writer’s Handbook, and Research Info > Research & APA Citation Info > Integrating Sources into Your Writing
Paragraph with Paraphrased Content
Write a paragraph that includes information from your copy-pasted passage, but instead of using direct quotes, paraphrase the information in your own words. You must still cite paraphrased content. As always, the paragraph must include framing and explanation of the source information’s relevance to your overall Report. You can repeat some of what you said in the paragraph with quoted content, or write a new paragraph. See paraphrasing in The Business Writer’s Handbook and Paraphrase: Write It In Your Own Words from Purdue OWL.
Reference
Create an APA formatted citation of the webpage you used for this Memo. This citation will be instrumental in how you cite your quotations and paraphrased information in the above paragraphs.
Important Notes:
A paraphrase is NOT switching one word for another in a sentence. A paraphrase is taking the source information and saying it in your voice. Consider how you might summarize a scene from a movie or book for a friend: you are explaining what happened or what you learned in YOUR words.
Points will be deducted for inconsistent format (watch your text font and line spacing), missing headings, missing quotations, missing citations. While I will not “nit pick” your APA citation, points will be deducted if it is clear you made no attempt to use APA format. For correct format, see Research Info > Research & APA Citation Info > Citing a Webpage on a Website
Consider these paragraphs as draft content that you can revise (if necessary) and use in your finished Formal Report.
Do NOT include an overview or summary of the assignment instructions in your Memos.
See the attached example memo for format inspiration. You do not need to include “letterhead” features (I included an image and the course title at the top; you are not required to do so).
Image preview for” based on the purpose and relevance of the copy-pasted content to your Report’s discussion, write a paragraph (or two) that you would include in your finished Formal Report.”
APA
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