Final answer:
Sofia should use summaries to convey main ideas in her own words, quotations for specific wording, and paraphrases for specific ideas. Quotations should be used sparingly, and her essay should comprise mostly of her own original thoughts. Accurate citations are mandatory to avoid plagiarism and strengthen her arguments.
Step-by-step explanation:
If Sofia is using phrases inside quotation marks from her sources and calling these "summaries," she may need to refine her understanding of how to integrate sources into her essay. Summaries should be in her own words and provide an overview of the main ideas without using direct quotes. On the other hand, quotations should be used sparingly to highlight specific wording or concepts that are crucial for analysis.
It's important to strike a good balance between using summary, paraphrase, and direct quotes to support arguments made in the essay without relying too heavily on secondary sources.
I would advise Sofia to use quotations to feature an author's unique diction or when the specific wording is important for her argument. For larger ideas that can be condensed, summarizing in her own language is appropriate, conserving space and ensuring her own voice remains prominent.
For more specific ideas that are not original concepts or proprietary information, paraphrasing is a good way to convey the information in her own words while still giving credit to the original source. Regardless of the method, she must include in-text citations to distinguish her ideas from those of her sources and avoid plagiarism.
It's recommended that the essay should consist of roughly 80-90% of Sofia's original ideas and only 10-20% summary, quotation, or paraphrase from sources.
Finally, to strengthen her essay further, Sofia should focus on forming a strong thesis, providing sufficient and accurate support for her claims, articulating strong counterclaims, and ensuring that her citations are complete and correct. Following a well-structured writing process that integrates sources effectively will not only improve the coherence and credibility of her essay but also highlight her critical thinking abilities.