what is the best way to summarize to avoid plagiarism?

Question

I know you are supposed to summarize the information, but sometimes after I read it I don't really understand how I can summarize something that will be just as good as how I read it, so I usually quote the information, but I can't turn in a paper with quotes.. And even when I quote and briefly explain my point or why this information is useful, it just doesn't seem as powerful. What is the proper was to summarize to avoid plagiarism?

Answer 1

Each time you take an idea from someone else (it doesn't have to be the exact wording) make sure that you cite the source at the end of the sentence. Follow the format that your professor wants. In APA format, you'd have (Author, year, p. #) included at the end of the sentence.
Here's an example:
APA style is a difficult citation format for first-time learners (Jones, 1998, p. 199).

In MLA format, you'd have (Author, page #) at the end of the sentence.
Here's an example:
When three authors are named in the parentheses, separate the names with commas: (Alton, Davies, and Rice 56).

Good Luck! Check out these websites below or just Google APA/MLA in text citations.

Answer 2

What I always do is read a paragraph that has useful information in it that you want to use. You many have to read it more than one time to fully retain the information and point. Take 30 seconds or so to let it soak in your mind and write sentences based on what you remember. Since it is coming from you mind, it won't be the same as what you read. Use different words and expand your vocabulary to make your point clear. Hopefully this will work.

Answer 3

All you have to do is put quotation marks around the quote and put the page number of where you found it or the authors last name after it. If you do this you can still summarize the quote and it wont be plagiarism.