When to quote, when to paraphrase?

You should not include too many long quotations from secondary sources. It is usually better to paraphrase. But sometimes you do need to quote. When?

It is often important to quote someone you disagree with. Consider the following passage:

It seems to me that Rodriguez has a clear and rational point; however, she tries to prove her point through historical bases, which I do not believe is the best way. On the other hand, the importance of a symbol such as Our Lady of Guadalupe should rely on the impact it has over devotees rather than if you can prove its existence through historical facts.

The point is clear: Rodriguez offers historical proof, rather than relying on the testimony of devotees.
But is this what Rodriguez does? Does she claim to have historical proof of the reality of the apparitions? Let's now see what Rodriguez herself says, on p.127

The question as to whether the apparition did in fact occur is inconsequential. For those who believe, no explanation is necessary, for those who do not believe, no explanation will satisfy...My own pastoral experience with people in recent years of speaking on this subject matter has demonstrated to me that her influence is still prevalent. I have seen crowds of people at workshops have transforming and conversion experiences after hearing my presentation of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Rodriguez is relying on the testimony of devotees rather than historical information - the opposite of what she is charged with doing.

Suppose the student had tried to find a quotation from Rodriguez in which she says she has historical proof - "proof" being the key word. The closest I know of is p. xix

Truth is suspect in Western thought unless it has arrived at intellectually, using the logic of the mind. I believe however that there is also a logic to the affective: we can arrive at the truth through affective and physical senses and that truth can be equally valid. For proof, we need only look at the poets and artists who are capable of assessing that which lies deep in a person's soul.

There Rodriguez speaks of proof, but certainly not historical proof. On the contrary, this is the kind of discernment which, one supposes, enables her to recognize that members of her audience are undergoing transforming experiences. For Rodriguez, the kind of proof that matters is the sort of proof that enables her to make sense of the testimony of devotees.

So, if you disagree with someone, try to quote them directly. They may not be saying what you think they are.

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