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AUSB Writing Center (6/5/18)
3. Mix your own words and snippets of quotes in the same sentence
You don’t have to choose between quoting or paraphrasing a section of text. Instead, you can
blend a paraphrase (your own words) with a direct quote (the author’s exact words). Integrating
snippets of quotes into your own sentence structure can make your writing smoother. Use
quotation marks around the words of others and don’t forget to cite.
Example #1: Keep memorable phrases from the original in quotation marks
Often quotes have a phrase that is eloquent or descriptive that you will want to quote. This
doesn’t mean, though, that you have to quote the entire sentence. You can mostly paraphrase and
then directly quote just the short phrase that you found eloquent.
Original quote:
“Whatever symbols they embraced, civil-rights activists—much like black activists today—
never successfully connected with the hearts of the majority of adults of their own day … but the
activists did sketch a theater of violence, with men like Bull Connor in starring roles, that
shamed and embarrassed the country” Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Atlantic
Paraphrase and part of a quote mixed together:
Coates (2018) argued that protests surrounding racial injustice were historically divisive and
have continued to be unpopular with the masses. However, unlike modern activists, civil-rights
activists were able to “sketch a theater of violence” which “embarrassed the country” and
promoted social change (para. 12).
Example #2: Remove “I” language from quotes
For quotes with “I” language, you can choose snippets of the quote and paraphrase the rest. You
can also give more context to the reader.
Original quote:
"That's really the most idiotic suggestion of all time. I don't believe players should be paid. I
believe they are getting a tremendous opportunity." Jim Boeheim, basketball coach
Paraphrase and part of a quote mixed together:
Boeheim argued that since college student-athletes are given “a tremendous opportunity" to
study at top universities, the proposal to offer them salaries is “idiotic” (as cited in Weiner,
2014).
Example #3: Quote just the statistic
You may want to quote a statistic from a source, but paraphrase the surrounding information.
Original quote:
“If the Syracuse men’s basketball team makes it to the 2014 NCAA Finals, its players will miss
an estimated 17 days of classes, or 24.2% of the spring semester. That arguably reduces the
value of their 'free' education.” Marc Edelman, Forbes
Paraphrase and statistic from a source mixed together:
Edelman (2014) asserts that when student athletes are required to prioritize athletics over classes
they are not getting the education they are promised; this is especially true for basketball players
at the University of Syracuse who may miss “24.2% of the spring semester” (para. 2).
Cite at the beginning of your paraphrase