1. Avoid Overuse: As a general rule, your paper should primarily consist of your own writing. Quotes from outside sources should be used strategically to support your arguments, provide evidence, or illustrate points.
2. Use Quotes Sparingly: Limit the use of direct quotes to essential information that cannot be effectively paraphrased or summarized in your own words.
3. Proper Integration: When using quotes, ensure they are integrated smoothly into your writing and provide context. Introduce quotes with proper attribution and explain their relevance to your discussion.
4. Paraphrasing: Instead of directly quoting, consider paraphrasing information when possible. This allows you to present ideas from other sources in your own words, while still giving credit to the original author.
5. Analysis and Interpretation: Rather than simply presenting quotes from outside sources, focus on analyzing and interpreting the information. Provide your own insights, critical thinking, and connections between different sources.
6. Citations and Formatting: Always properly cite all quoted material and ensure that you use consistent citation formatting style throughout your paper.
Remember, the key is to strike a balance between using external sources and presenting your own original contribution. If you find that your paper heavily relies on quotes, consider whether you are adequately developing and supporting your arguments with your own analysis.