Bedford Researcher Ch.15- Using Sources Effectively

    In this chapter, The Bedford Researcher focuses on not only how to incorporate your sources into your document, but also how to cite them correctly and avoid plagiarism. They first talk about how to "accomplish [your] purposes as a writer (247)." In this section they bring to light the main idea of the whole chapter: using quotations, paraphrases, summaries, numerical information (such as statistics), images, audio, video, and animations to assert the information from your sources. They show how to present ideas or arguments in more supporting ways using the previously stated methods, without having negative connotations, using supporting examples and evidence, using authority and images, and by setting a mood. The next section is called "How can I integrate sources into my draft (251)?" Here they encourage the use of identifying your sources using in-text citations, in many formats, and eventually a works cited page. This section tells us how to not only effectively use the information stated in your sources, but using the correct grammar and punctuation in including the information. The most common integrating strategies used are quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. With quotes, you can either use partial (single words, phrases, or most of a sentence), complete (one or more complete sentences), or block quotations (extended quotations that are set apart using a 10 space indent from the rest of the paper). Paraphrases are used to cover ideas or information in your document "to illustrate or support a point you make . . . or to illustrate another author's argument about an issue (255)." Summaries are a short, to the point description (using your own words) of the information in your source. Section 15c. talks about accrediting your sources by using a works cited page. They also emphasize the importance of identifying the sources and their authors in your document and making it known what ideas are yours, and what ideas are theirs.