Quoting & Integrating Evidence

Three parts of source integration

A useful pattern is:

• Introduce the source or claim.
• Present the evidence.
• Explain what it shows and why it matters.

Paraphrase when the idea matters

Most source information can be paraphrased or summarised. This usually allows the evidence to fit your sentence and argument more naturally.

Quote when the wording matters

Use a direct quotation when the exact wording is important to your analysis, for example because you are examining tone, rhetoric or a particularly precise formulation.

Do not quote merely because copying feels easier than paraphrasing.

Explain the evidence

Evidence should be followed by your reasoning.

Useful questions include: What does this show? How does it support my point? What limitation should the reader notice?

Distinguish source content from your own interpretation

Signal phrases such as According to..., The report states..., and The author argues... make the boundary visible.

Then move into your own analysis: This suggests..., This matters because..., or However, this evidence does not show....

Dropped evidence

Public transport can increase independence. A survey found that 62% of respondents used buses or trains to travel without a parent. Public transport is important.

The evidence appears, but its significance is barely explained.

Integrated evidence

Access to public transport can increase young people's practical independence. In one survey, 62% of respondents reported using buses or trains to travel without a parent. This suggests that public transport is not only an environmental issue; it can also affect young people's ability to reach school, work and social activities on their own.

The source information is introduced and then interpreted.

1. Decide what point the paragraph is making.
2. Choose evidence that directly supports that point.
3. Introduce the source clearly.
4. Paraphrase, summarise or quote the relevant information.
5. Explain what the evidence demonstrates.
6. Connect the explanation back to the paragraph's main idea.
7. If necessary, mention a limitation or alternative interpretation.

Quote dumping

A quotation should not appear without introduction or explanation. The reader needs to know why it is there.

Source replaces analysis

A paragraph made mostly of quotations and paraphrases shows what other people have said, but not necessarily what you understand.

Evidence does not match the claim

Check that the source actually supports the point you attach to it. Relevant evidence is more valuable than impressive-looking evidence.

Which sentence best explains a piece of evidence after it has been presented?

• A. This is a statistic.
• B. The study was published in a report.
• C. This finding supports the argument that cost can limit participation because the effect was strongest among lower-income respondents.
• D. There are many other statistics too.

Answer: C. It interprets the evidence and connects it directly to the argument.

• Introduce evidence instead of dropping it into the paragraph.
• Paraphrase most source ideas; quote when exact wording matters.
• Always explain why the evidence is relevant.
• Keep source information and your own interpretation clearly distinguishable.
• Evidence should support your reasoning, not replace it.