Writing: Summarizing & Paraphrasing (B2) - Lesson 3: Integrating Summarized/Paraphrased Information (Basic)
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Hello B2 Researchers & Writers! 👋
You've learned how to summarize and paraphrase information from other sources. The next important skill is to integrate this information smoothly and effectively into your own writing, such as essays or reports.
Simply "dropping" a summary or paraphrase into your text isn't enough; you need to connect it to your own ideas and arguments.
In this lesson, you will:
- Understand why integrating source information is important.
- Learn how to use signal phrases (reporting verbs/phrases) to introduce summarized or paraphrased content.
- Practice connecting integrated information to your own points and explanations.
- Briefly touch upon the importance of citing sources.
Why Integrate Summarized/Paraphrased Information?
When you write academic essays, reports, or even some types of articles, you often need to refer to the work or ideas of others. Integrating this information effectively (through summarizing or paraphrasing) helps you to:
- Support Your Own Arguments: External information can provide strong evidence for your claims.
- Provide Evidence or Examples: Facts, statistics, or examples from reliable sources can strengthen your points.
- Show You Have Researched Your Topic: It demonstrates that your ideas are informed by existing knowledge.
- Add Credibility and Authority: Referring to experts or established research makes your writing more believable.
- Engage with Other Viewpoints: You can discuss, compare, or contrast your ideas with those of others.
Effectively integrated information doesn't just sit there; it works with your own ideas to build a stronger, more convincing text.
Techniques for Smooth Integration
1. Use Signal Phrases (Reporting Verbs/Phrases):
Signal phrases introduce your summarized or paraphrased information and clearly show that it comes from another source. They also often indicate the author's stance or the type of information.
Common Signal Phrases:
- According to [Author/Source], ... (e.g., According to Dr. Evans, regular exercise improves memory.)
- [Author/Source] states that... / suggests that... / argues that... / points out that... / claims that... / reports that... / notes that...
- As [Author/Source] explains, ...
- Research by [Institution/Source] shows that...
- The study found that...
The verb you choose in your signal phrase can indicate the original author's tone or purpose (e.g., "argues" vs. "suggests").
2. Connect to Your Own Ideas (The "Sandwich" Method):
Don't just "drop" a paraphrase or summary into your paragraph. You need to connect it to your own argument. Think of it like a sandwich:
- Top Slice (Your Idea): Introduce the point you are making in your own words.
- Filling (Source Info): Present the summarized or paraphrased information from your source, introduced with a signal phrase.
- Bottom Slice (Your Explanation/Comment): Explain how the source information supports your point, or comment on its significance. Connect it back to your main argument. (This is the 'Explanation' part of P.E.E.).
3. Maintain Your Own Voice:
While you are including information from others, the majority of your paragraph and your overall text should still be in your own voice and style. Summarized and paraphrased information should support your ideas, not replace them.
Example of Integration:
Your Point (Topic Sentence): One of the primary benefits of urban green spaces is their positive impact on residents' mental well-being.
Original snippet from a fictional source, "City Parks Today" by Dr. Green: "Studies consistently show that access to green areas in cities, such as parks and gardens, significantly reduces stress levels and improves overall mood among urban dwellers."
Integrated into your paragraph:
One of the primary benefits of urban green spaces is their positive impact on residents' mental well-being. According to Dr. Green in "City Parks Today," research consistently demonstrates that city dwellers with access to green areas like parks experience notably lower stress and enhanced general mood. This highlights how important it is for city planners to include parks and gardens, as they directly contribute to a happier and healthier urban population.
The Importance of Citing Your Sources (Briefly)
This is extremely important: Even when you summarize or paraphrase information in your own words, the original idea still belongs to the author or source you got it from.
Therefore, you must always give credit to the original source. This is called citing or referencing.
- Why cite? To avoid plagiarism (a serious academic offence), to give credit to the original authors, and to allow your readers to find the original information if they want to.
- How to cite (Basic for B2):
- Using a signal phrase that names the author or source is a basic way to attribute information (e.g., "Dr. Smith argues that...").
- In more formal academic writing, you will learn specific citation styles (like APA, MLA, Harvard), which involve in-text citations (e.g., (Smith, 2023)) and a reference list or bibliography at the end of your text.
For today, focus on using signal phrases to show where your information comes from. You'll learn detailed citation styles in more advanced writing courses.
Practice Integrating Information!
Activity 1: Choose the Best Signal Phrase
Read the sentence where information from a source is used. Choose the best signal phrase to introduce it.
Activity 2: Integrate Paraphrased Information
You will be given a point you want to make, and a piece of paraphrased information from a source. Combine them smoothly using a signal phrase and add a short sentence of your own explanation or comment.
✨ Tips for Effective Integration ✨
- Don't Overuse Quotes: Paraphrase or summarize most of the time. Use direct quotes only when the original wording is particularly powerful, unique, or essential.
- Vary Your Signal Phrases: Don't always use "According to...". Use a range of reporting verbs (states, argues, suggests, explains, notes, etc.).
- Ensure Smooth Flow: Read your sentence aloud. Does the integrated information fit naturally with your own writing?
- Always Explain/Comment: Don't just drop in information from a source. Explain its relevance to your point. This is your analysis.
- Attribute Clearly: Make it obvious to your reader which ideas are yours and which come from your sources.
Weaving Ideas Together! 🎉
Learning to integrate summarized and paraphrased information effectively and ethically is a hallmark of strong B2 level writing. It allows you to build upon the knowledge of others to create well-supported and credible texts.