Research & Citing Sources — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A summary is a short version of a longer text that includes only the main ideas.
A summary condenses a longer text into just the main ideas, leaving out small details. This skill helps researchers quickly capture what a source is about without copying it word for word.
2. When summarizing, you should leave out minor details and focus on the key points.
Including every minor detail would make your summary just as long as the original. Focusing on key points keeps the summary short and highlights the most important information.
3. Copying even one sentence without quotation marks or a citation is a form of plagiarism.
Even a single copied sentence counts as plagiarism if you do not use quotation marks and cite the source, because you are presenting someone else's exact words as your own.
4. A good summary uses your own words and does not copy the author's exact phrasing.
Restating ideas in your own words shows that you understand the material and avoids plagiarism. If you must use the author's exact phrase, put it in quotation marks.
5. An in-text citation tells readers which source a fact came from within the body of your report.
An in-text citation appears right next to the fact it supports, so readers can immediately see which source backs up each claim without flipping to the bibliography.
6. Before writing a summary, read the entire passage and identify the main idea.
Identifying the main idea first gives you a clear focus for your summary. Without it, you might include too many minor details and miss the point the author was making.
7. Self-plagiarism means reusing your own previous work without permission or acknowledgment.
Even though the work is yours, reusing it without acknowledgment is dishonest because your teacher expects original work for each assignment. Always ask permission before recycling previous writing.
8. When two sources give conflicting information about the same topic, you should investigate further.
Conflicting information means at least one source may be wrong or outdated. Checking additional sources helps you figure out which facts are accurate before you include them in your report.
9. A signal phrase such as "The author states" helps introduce borrowed ideas in your writing.
A signal phrase like "The author states" alerts readers that the next idea comes from a source, giving proper credit and smoothly blending the borrowed information into your own writing.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
Writing a three-sentence overview of a full article
→ Summarizing — captures key ideas briefly
Proper quoting — gives credit for exact words
Changing a few words in a sentence but keeping the same structure
→ Patchwork plagiarism — not a true paraphrase
Summarizing — captures key ideas briefly
Using quotation marks and naming the author for an exact phrase
→ Proper quoting — gives credit for exact words
Synthesizing — blends information from multiple sources
Combining facts from three books into one paragraph with citations
→ Synthesizing — blends information from multiple sources
Patchwork plagiarism — not a true paraphrase
Correct matches: Writing a three-sentence overview of a full article → Summarizing — captures key ideas briefly; Changing a few words in a sentence but keeping the same structure → Patchwork plagiarism — not a true paraphrase; Using quotation marks and naming the author for an exact phrase → Proper quoting — gives credit for exact words; Combining facts from three books into one paragraph with citations → Synthesizing — blends information from multiple sources.