Indirect citation: learn how to do it according to ABNT standards

Have you ever found yourself needing to reference an author in your academic or scientific work, but aren't sure how to do it correctly?

What is an indirect quote?

An indirect quote consists of paraphrasing an author's ideas, expressing them in your own words.

It is a way of referencing the sources consulted in your work, giving credit to the authors of the original ideas.

Additionally, indirect citations help strengthen your arguments, as you are basing your claims on information from experts in the field.

Importance of indirect citation

Indirect citation plays a fundamental role in academic and scientific writing, as it brings a series of benefits and contributes to the quality and credibility of the work.

Indirect citation allows you to use the ideas of renowned authors to support your arguments.

By referencing an author through indirect citation, you demonstrate that your statements are supported by consolidated knowledge in the area, strengthening the theoretical foundation of your work.

By making indirect citations, you demonstrate that you have done in-depth research and are knowledgeable about the subject in question. This helps to demonstrate your mastery of the subject and the seriousness with which you approach your research.

What are ABNT standards?

ABNT standards refer to the guidelines established by the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards.

ABNT is a Brazilian entity responsible for developing and updating technical standards applied in various sectors, including academic, scientific, industrial and service sectors.

Its main objective is to promote the standardization of procedures and practices, ensuring quality, safety and efficiency in different areas.

In the academic context, ABNT standards are widely used to guide the preparation of scientific works, such as monographs, dissertations, theses, articles, among others.

They establish specific rules for structuring the work, formatting citations and bibliographic references, in addition to detailing aspects related to margins, fonts, spacing, page numbering and other visual characteristics.

The use of ABNT standards in the academic environment provides a standardization that facilitates communication and understanding of work.

Furthermore, following these rules also demonstrates respect and ethics towards the authors consulted, since correct citations and references are essential to avoid plagiarism and give due credit to the sources used.

It is important to highlight that ABNT standards are updated periodically, aiming to keep up with changes and advances in different areas of knowledge.

Therefore, it is essential to be aware of the most recent version of the standards when developing academic work, thus ensuring compliance with established standards.

How to make an indirect citation?

When making an indirect citation, it is important to follow some guidelines established by ABNT. See below the step-by-step guide to making an indirect citation correctly:

Reading and understanding the original text

Before beginning the indirect citation, read the original text carefully to make sure you have correctly understood the author's ideas.

This step is crucial for you to be able to adequately convey the author's message in your own words.

Paraphrase the author's ideas

After reading and understanding the text, it is time to paraphrase the author's ideas using your own words. Remember that it is necessary to remain faithful to the original content, but express it differently. Avoid copying entire sections of the text; always try to summarize and condense the information.

Cite the author and year of publication

After the indirect citation, it is essential to include the author's surname and the year of publication of the consulted work. This information can be inserted in parentheses, immediately after the citation, or it can be mentioned in the text itself, as we will see below:

Example of in-text citation: According to Oliveira (2018), creativity is an essential factor for the development of innovative solutions.

Example of a quote in parentheses: Creativity is an essential factor for the development of innovative solutions (OLIVEIRA, 2018).

Care when making indirect citations

When using indirect citations in your work, it is important to take some precautions to ensure the integrity of the academic content. Here are some tips:

Avoid plagiarism

Plagiarism is copying an author's content without giving due credit. When making an indirect quote, it is essential that you use your own words to express the author's ideas.

Additionally, always include the correct bibliographic reference to give due credit to the original author.

Maintain the cohesion and coherence of the text

When incorporating indirect quotes into your text, make sure they are well integrated into your writing.

Use appropriate transition words to connect your ideas to the ideas of the quoted author. This will ensure the cohesion and coherence of text as a whole.

Conclusion

Mastering the indirect citation technique is essential for any student or researcher who wishes to produce quality academic work.

Furthermore, always remember to read and understand the original text, correctly paraphrase the author's ideas and cite bibliographical references appropriately.

Ultimately, by following these guidelines, you will be contributing to the integrity and quality of your academic work.

Practice and improve your writing skills, and always be aware of the standards established by ABNT.

Content Team Theadmin June 13, 2023

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