Use direct quotes when:
From: Writing in Action by Andrea A. Lunsford p. 188
Use quotation marks to indicate direction quotes.
Original Text:
Student-centered learning, or student-centeredness, is a model which puts the student in the center of the learning process
--Z. Cubukcu, "Teachers' Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments" (2012), p. 50
Plagiarism (this example does not use quotations marks):
According to Cubukcu (2012), student-centered learning is a model which puts the student in the center of the learning process (p.50).
Not Plagiarism:
According to Cubukcu (2012), "student-centered learning...is a model which puts the student in the center of the learning process" (p. 50)
From APA Pocket Manuel 8th Ed. by Diana Hacker and Nancy Sommers p. 183
Avoid using the phrase "the authors says" multiple times in your paper, by using some of these alternative signal verbs.
acknowledges concludes emphasizes replies
advises concurs expresses reports
agrees confirms interprets responds
allows criticizes lists reveal
answers declares objects says
asserts describes observes states
believes disagrees offers suggests
charges discusses opposes thinks
claims disputes remarks writes
From: Writing in Action by Andrea A. Lunsford p. 190