How to Use Sources Effectively

Embedding research into a paragraph requires three parts:

  1. Introduce the source or the context of the information. Who said this? When and why?
  2. Quote, paraphrase, or summarize the information and cite it!
  3. Analyze and explain how the information relates to your topic or proves something important

 

We call this a Citation Sandwich and it looks like this:

 

Introduce the information you want to include; paraphrase, summarize, or quote your information;  analyze the information.

Analysis Strategies

Not sure how to analyze or explain the information you've used in your Citation Sandwich? Here's what you could do with it:

  • Explain it in simpler terms so your reader can understand
  • Provide historical or cultural context for it
  • Connect it to your thesis and/or main idea
  • Make an argument using the information
  • Respond to the cited text. Do you agree or disagree with it? Why?

Words that say "says" for your Citation Sandwiches

Expert tip: Incorporating research should feel like a conversation explained kindly to the reader. In order to put your sources in conversation with one another as well as with your own ideas, consider changing up the verb you use to report the researched information. Rather than repeating "Jones says,"  try these other options when appropriate.

 

Says that introduces an author’s evidence or analysis

writes
notes
observes
points out
describes
states
explains

Says that introduces an author’s claim, reasons

argues
claims
maintains
proposes
contends
demonstrates
finds

 

Says that introduce counterarguments, nuance, disagreement

insists
disagrees
rejects (for an idea or argument)
contests
pushes back
disrupts
challenges

Says that denotes importance, emphasis, or accumulation

emphasizes
stresses the importance of
underscores
repeats
reiterates
highlights

 

Other connections says can say

continues
analyzes
implies/suggests
muses/considers
cautions
reflects

 

Download DOWNLOAD THIS HANDOUT