​Objectives

• Write effective body paragraphs with clear elaboration.

• Use parenthetical citations and signal phrases correctly.

• Paraphrase and summarize research while avoiding plagiarism.

• Craft an engaging conclusion that synthesizes ideas.

• Apply MLA formatting for in-text citations and Works Cited.

​Key Terms

• Parenthetical Citation – In-text citation with author or source (e.g., (Smith)).

• Signal Phrase – Introductory words that set up a quote or paraphrase (e.g., According to Smith…).

• Paraphrase – Restating an idea in your own words with a citation.

• Summary – Condensing the main idea into fewer words with a citation.

• Elaboration – Explaining how evidence supports your claim.

• Synthesis – Combining information from multiple sources

​Signal Words and Phrases

Examples:

• According to Smith, …

• The text explains, …

• For instance, …

• Therefore, …

Structuring your body paragraph

Building Strong Body Paragraphs with ICE
Introduce your evidence
Cite your source
Elaborate/Explain how it supports your central idea or thesis

Build Strong Body Paragraphs with ICE

I – Introduce

• Start with a topic sentence that introduces the idea.

• Add a signal phrase to smoothly bring in research.

• Example: According to the Environmental Protection Agency…

Build Strong Body Paragraphs with ICE

C – Cite

• Provide the evidence: a quote, paraphrase, or summary from your source.

• Always use an MLA parenthetical citation.

• Example: “…bee colonies are collapsing due to habitat loss” (Environmental Protection Agency).

Build Strong Body Paragraphs with ICE

E – Elaborate

• Explain why the evidence is important.

• Show how it supports your topic sentence or thesis.

• Example: This shows that urban development directly reduces bee populations by destroying their natural homes.

Example ICE paragraph

(I) Bee populations are declining at an alarming rate, and one major reason is the destruction of their habitats. (C) According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “This not only removes their homes, but also takes away sources of nutrition from the bees” (Environmental Protection Agency). (E) This evidence makes clear that as cities expand, natural spaces where bees live and find food are being destroyed. When bees lose their habitats, they are forced to move or die out, which decreases pollination. This decline in pollination affects food production and the larger ecosystem, showing how urban development has a direct impact on both bees and humans.

Integrating your evidence

Direct Quotes
Paraphrasing
Summarizing

Use Most Often

Keeps your voice in control.

Avoids overloading your essay with long quotes.

Shows comprehension of sources.

​Paraphrasing & Summarizing

Use Sparingly

When the wording is powerful or unique

When an authority’s exact words add weight.

When analyzing the author’s language.

​Direct Quotes

When to Use Direct Quotes vs.
Paraphrasing & Summarizing

Key Takeaway:
Mature writing relies mostly on paraphrasing and summarizing, with direct quotes used purposefully.

When to Use Direct Quotes vs.
Paraphrasing & Summarizing

​Types of evidence

Think of direct quotes like seasoning — a little bit makes your writing stronger, but too much overwhelms the dish.
Paraphrasing and summarizing show your reader that you really understand the research, not just that you can copy it.
When in doubt: paraphrase. Save direct quotes for powerful or unique statements you can’t rephrase without losing meaning.

​Blending Direct Quotes into a Paraphrase

❌ According to the Xerces Society, “A world without pollinators would not only leave us with fewer food choices but would make it substantially harder to find the nutrition we need to survive” (Xerces Society).

Problem: The quote is too long; the writer’s voice is drowned out.

​Blending Direct Quotes into a Paraphrase

✅ Scientists warn that without pollinators, people will face fewer “food choices” and may struggle to find proper “nutrition” (Xerces Society).

Notice:
Only the key words are quoted.

Most of the sentence is still in the writer’s own words.

This keeps the writer’s voice strong and the evidence precise.

​Blending Direct Quotes into a Paraphrase

Takeaway:

• Paraphrase most of the idea.

• Quote only the most important or powerful words.

• This makes your writing smoother, clearer, and more academic.

Review