What is the best way to share another author’s idea in an essay and to make sure the idea is not misunderstood?

A direct quotation repeats the author’s exact words, usually in quotation marks, so the idea is presented accurately and is less likely to be misunderstood. It also makes clear which words belong to the original author. Paraphrasing restates the idea in your own words and could unintentionally change its meaning.

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