Final answer:
In academic writing, both direct quotations and paraphrases must be attributed to the original source. Direct quotations duplicate the author's words exactly and must be enclosed in quotation marks, while paraphrases are restatements in the writer's own words and sentence structure. It is important to use quotations judiciously and to maintain your own voice when incorporating others' ideas into your text.
Step-by-step explanation:
While it's true that when you paraphrase, you should articulate someone else's ideas in your own words, a direct quotation requires using the author's exact words. A paraphrase is a restatement of a text or passage, which keeps the same meaning but changes the wording and sentence structure. It's crucial to always attribute the original source, even when paraphrasing, to avoid plagiarism. When direct comments are taken from another author, they do not necessarily have to be paraphrased; however, they must be presented within quotation marks and cited correctly to credit the original author.
In academic writing, paraphrases should be formatted with proper citations so that readers can identify where the ideas originated. If an author's language is unique or certain phrases are critical for clarity or impact, such as "billions of tons of carbon", using a direct quotation is preferable and should also be cited accordingly. The distinction between quoting and paraphrasing is important. Quoting is using the exact words from a source, while paraphrasing involves expressing the same ideas in your own words.
It is important not to overuse quotations in your writing, so as not to drown out your own analytical voice. Direct quotations should be employed judiciously, accompanied by your explanation or analysis, whereas paraphrasing can integrate other authors' ideas more seamlessly into your own narrative flow. Regardless of the approach, proper documentation is essential.