Last Updated: Mar 28, 2023     Views: 94

Integrating supporting sources into your work is important to build credibility and support your argument.

Be sure to cite everything you use to give credit to the authors whose work you are using.

There are three main ways of integrating sources into your paper. The three ways to incorporate a source help strengthen your argument and prove you have done your research!

1. Quote: When you use the exact wording found in a source, it must be "quoted." Incorporating quotes helps you prove you have read and understand your topic's conversation.

MLA example:

Television "can have a positive impact on mental health, including the area of death education" (Sharaph 131).

APA example:

According to Sharaph, television "can have a positive impact on mental health, including the area of death education" (Sharaph,1977, p.131).

Chicago example:

According to Sharaph, television "can have a positive impact on mental health, including the area of death education".1

2. Paraphrase: Uses your own words to express the author's meaning.  

MLA example:

Sharaph believes television can benefit children's well-being, especially on harder-to-relate topics like death (131).

APA example:

Sharaph (1977) believes television can benefit children's well-being, especially on harder-to-relate topics like death.

Chicago example:

Sharaph believes television can benefit children's well-being, especially on harder-to-relate topics like death.1

3. Summarize: Takes an idea down to the essential points. 

MLA example:

The article by Sharapan illustrates how television can assist children in learning about and coping with death (131).

APA example:

The article by Sharapan (1977) illustrates how television can assist children in learning about and coping with death.

Chicago example:

The article by Sharapan (1977) illustrates how television can assist children in learning about and coping with death.1


APA Reference:

Sharapan, H. (1977). "Mister Rogers' neighborhood": Dealing with death on a children's television series. Death Education, 1(1),131-136. doi:10.1080/07481187708252882

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