YOU are NOT an expert
 Your credibility depends on the strength
of the experts you quote and
paraphrase
 Not only must you cite them, but you
must also introduce them BEFORE
quoting or paraphrasing them so you
reader KNOWS why they are an expert
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All borrowed ideas or words MUST be
accompanied by a signal phrase

SIGNAL PHRASE:
› names the author AND
› alerts the reader that the information is from
a credible source
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The signal phrases MUST connect the
quote OR paraphrase to the point you
are trying to make / argue
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Dr. George Smith, Professor of Chemistry
at East Los Angeles Community College,
another supporter of cloning, and the
President of the Human Cloning
Foundation, believes that science fiction
works have created hysteria in the
popular media. Smith argues, “From
Frankenstein to The Sixth Day, our
popular media has done nothing but stir
up the public’s anxiety about monsters”
(Smith 25). His views on the popular
media tell us . . .

A view that contradicts Smith’s is
articulated by Rev. John Brown, minister
of the Tabernacle Church in Dallas,
Texas, who contends that, “God never
intended for man to participate in his
acts of creation. He will never condone
our interference in his plan for us” (Brown
5). Brown makes it clear that . . .

“The National Review, a publication well
known for its conservative stance,
includes Brown’s opinions on a regular
basis.”
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In the words of researcher Dr. Herbert
Terrace, an aeronautical engineer at NASA,
“. . .” (Terrace #).
Terrance answers these objections with the
following analysis: “ . . .” ( ).
As physicist, Flora Davis, senior VP in charge
of Operations at NASA, has noted, “. . .” ( ).
Samuel Hoover, personal trainer, points out
that “ . . .” ( ).
“ . . . ,” claims Noam Chomsky, politician ( ).
NOT—In Smith’s essay, he says
 NOT - “ . . .” In Smith’s essay, it says “ . . .
”,
 NOT - Smith’s essay states “. . . ”
 BUT—In his essay, Smith states “. . . ”

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Do NOT allow your sources words to
dominate YOUR writing.

ONLY use quotes:
› When essential – when the author’s exact words
are the only, or by far the best, way to say
something
› If the author’s own words are particularly forceful
or crucial to interpretation
› Or, if referencing a passage from a poem, short
story, novel, or play
90% of writing is editing
 Delete every unnecessary word

› “Vermont is a state that attracts visitors
because of its winter sports.”
Combine simple sentences
 Rewrite sentences for clarity and flow
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WHO –
› For people – all people, only people

WHICH –
› For things – not for people
THIS – must answer, “this what?”
 THEY – must answer, “who are they?”
 SUCH – must answer, “such as what?”
 THAT – check: who, which, or that?

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ONLY use a pronoun every OTHER
instance – alternate with the noun.
AND — means “in addition to”
 BUT — implies an exception, opposition, or
contrast: “however,” “on the other hand,”
“yet,” “nevertheless”
 BECAUSE & SINCE — “We will not go,
because it is raining” is the strongest way of
expressing the relation of cause and effect.
In “Since it is raining, we will not go,” the
emphasis is shifted from the cause to the
effect, which becomes the prominent idea.
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HOW — means “in what manner” or “to what
extent.” It is often misused, replacing “that”
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NOR, OR —Nor is the correlative of neither
Or is the correlative of either

THEREFORE, SO — Therefore =“for this reason”
so has other meanings

THOUGH/ALTHOUGH — Though means
“notwithstanding,” & “in spite of the fact that.”

WHEN, WHILE— While = lapse of time
When = a date/period
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Inconsistent verb tense: Advocates of thorough
hand washing believe this practice will help
prevent illness; there have been those who
challenged this view.
Consistent verb tense: Advocates of thorough
hand washing believe this practice helps
prevent illness; there are those who challenge
this view.
While Lee was answering the doorbell, the
intruder had entered through the bedroom
window.
While Lee was answering the doorbell, the
intruder was entering through the bedroom
window.
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Contractions are INFORMAL, therefore are not to
be used in FORMAL writing, UNLESS within a
direct quote.
Contractions lead to grammatical ERRORS
When you speak, you have fractions of a
second to put the words, meanings, and sounds
in order to make a coherent sentence. When
you are writing, you have time, so DO NOT take
shortcuts like contractions.