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Paraphrasing in MLA

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill. It allows you to seamlessly integrate another person’s ideas into your work, and it is the preferred way to integrate most research information into a paper.

In addition to writing a good paraphrase, you must also include a citation with the paraphrase. One effective way to do this is by using MLA in-text citations .

But first, let’s define paraphrasing.

What is a paraphrase? Why is it beneficial?

• A paraphrase is a piece of information written in a new way after reading and analyzing a source.
• A paraphrase translates the main ideas of a passage into a new passage that uses your own words and perspective.
• A paraphrase lets you control what point or information is highlighted.
• A paraphrase allows you turn a long passage into a condensed, focused passage.
• Direct quotes are helpful, but paraphrasing allows you show that you truly understand a work. Think about it: Is it easier to quote a source or paraphrase?

What does MLA have to do with it?

Academic integrity is extremely important, and a paraphrase allows you to use someone’s ideas efficiently in your work…but that is only part of the work. In order to stay ethical, you’ll also need include an in-text citation. That’s where MLA style comes in.

An MLA in-text citation gives appropriate credit to the original source. By following the guidelines of the MLA style and including an accurate citation, you can avoid accusations of plagiarism.

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association, which is a scholarly association dedicated to the study and advancement of languages. The MLA style comes from their published MLA Handbook , which provides rules and guidelines on research and writing. The latest update to the MLA style occurred in 2021, and careful consideration needs to be paid to these guidelines.

Although there are other styles of research and writing, MLA is the primary style guide for humanities, language, and literature in the United States.

How to paraphrase

Steps in paraphrasing.

• Read the original source material carefully. It is always a good idea to read it more than once so you can paraphrase accurately.
• Consider why the source was written, when it was written, who it was written by, and who the target audience was.
• What were the key ideas or points communicated?
• What is the key point you want to highlight from the source?
• What other contextual facts about the source do you think are important to include?
• Based on your notes, put together a paraphrase.
• Next, take a minute to double check your paraphrase against the original to ensure that you have used your own writing style.
• Finally, add an MLA in-text citation.

How to add an MLA in-text citation

In order to give credit for ideas that are not yours, citing is key. According the MLA, after you create a paraphrase, you should include an in-text citation with the paraphrase. In addition to the short, in-text citation, a full reference of the source should be included on your Works Cited page. This article will focus only on the in-text citation, but see this guide for more information on MLA works cited citations.

An MLA in-text citation can be done in two ways:

• Parenthetical

Both approaches require you to know the following:

• Last name of the author
• Page number

Parenthetical citation

One way to cite in the text is to use a parenthetical citation after the paraphrase. This includes putting the author’s last name and page number where you found the information at the end of the sentence, before the final period.

Using a website as a source? Note that if a source does not have page numbers, you do not have to include the page number in your parenthetical citation.

Parenthetical in-text citation structure:

Paraphrase (Author Last Name Page #)

Parenthetical example:

I kept pounding on the doors ’til my hands hurt and I woke up the dogs (Bronte 12).

Place that end punctuation carefully! Note that there is no period at the end of the sentence, but the period is outside the parentheses. Also, there is no comma between the author’s last name and the page number.

Citation in prose

A citation in prose means that you include the author’s last name within the page text and the page number at the end of the sentence in parentheses. A citation in prose would look like this:

Citation in prose citation structure:

Paraphrase with Author Last Name (Page #)

In-prose example:

Bronte explains how Lockwood kept pounding on the doors until his hands began to hurt and he woke up the dogs (12).

Example of how to paraphrase

Here is a piece of text taken from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

A paraphrase of the above would go something like this:

Mr. Darcy had meant to communicate that he loved Elizabeth, but in the end all he managed to do was communicate all the reasons he had fought against his feelings for her (Austen 390).

Notice the benefits of paraphrasing here?

• The paraphrase is (thankfully) much shorter than the full excerpt.
• The paraphrase writer could have mentioned several different ideas and points. Instead, paraphrasing allowed the writer to focus on the main point they wanted to highlight.
• The paraphrase demonstrates the writer’s deep understanding of what was communicated in the original passage.

Also, as mentioned previously, every in-text citation needs to have a matching, full citation in the Works Cited page. Here is the full citation for the above example:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . 1813. Project Gutenberg , 2008, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42671.

How NOT to paraphrase

When you paraphrase, do not do the follow:

• Use most of the same words and switch out a few words for synonyms.
• Use most of the same words and change the sentence order a little.
• Take key phrases from the sentences and put them into a new paragraph without quoting them.
• Create a good paraphrase but forget to include an in-text citation.
• Create a good paraphrase but cite the wrong source.

Other MLA considerations

The Modern Language Association advises that summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations can all be used to back up your argument. However, direct quotations should be used infrequently. Try to save them for experts who are speaking on the topic.

Although you are putting a paraphrase into your own words, you still need to cite it because the ideas are not your own. MLA style asks for the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information.

Key takeaways

• The ability to paraphrase is of the utmost importance in regard to academic integrity.
• To paraphrase well, read the original a few times, consider the context, jot down the key ideas, compose your paraphrase, compare your paraphrase to the original, and add an in-text citation.
• The MLA advises using in-text citations in order to give proper credit to a paraphrase’s original source.

Published October 28, 2020. Updated July 18, 2021.

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APA Citation Guide (7th edition) : Paraphrasing

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Paraphrasing

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On This Page

Paraphrasing examples.

• In-Text Citation for More Than One Author

In-Text Citation for Group or Corporate Authors

No author and/or no date.

When you write information from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion as follows:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt, 1993).

Note : If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name again as part of your in-text citation, instead include the year of publication following his/her name:

Hunt (1993) noted that mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research after the publication of John Bowlby's studies.

Original Source

Homeless individuals commonly come from families who are riddled with problems and marital disharmony, and are alienated from their parents. They have often been physically and even sexually abused, have relocated frequently, and many of them may be asked to leave home or are actually thrown out, or alternatively are placed in group homes or in foster care. They often have no one to care for them and no one knows them intimately.

Source from: 

Rokach, A. (2005). The causes of loneliness in homeless youth. The Journal of Psychology , 139, 469-480. 

Example: Incorrect Paraphrasing

The homeless come from families with problems. Frequently, they have been physically or sexually abused, or have lived in group homes. Usually no one cares for them or knows them intimately (Rokach, 2005). 

Note : In this incorrect example the writing is too similar to the original source. The student only changed or removed a few words and has not phrased the ideas in a new way. 

Example: Correct Paraphrasing

Many homeless experience isolation in part due to suffering from abuse or neglect during their childhood (Rokach, 2005).

Note : The example keeps the idea of the original writing but phrases it in a new way.

In-Text Citation For Two or More Authors/Editors

No Known Author:

Note that in most cases where a personal author is not named, a group author may be cited instead (eg. Statistics Canada). However, in certain cases, such as religious ancient texts, the author is unknown. Where you'd normally put the author's last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Don't count initial articles like "A", "An" or "The". You should provide enough words to make it clear which work you're referring to from your References List.

If the title in the References list is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation.

If you are citing an article, a chapter of a book or a page from a website, put the words in double quotation marks.

Capitalize the titles using title case (every major word is capitalized) even if the reference list entry uses sentence case (only first word is capitalized).

( Cell Biology , 2012, p. 157)

("Nursing," 2011, p. 9)

No Known Date of Publication :

Where you'd normally put the year of publication, instead use the letters "n.d.".

(Smith, n.d., p. 200)

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APA Citation Guide (7th edition): Quotes vs Paraphrases

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What's the Difference?

Quoting vs paraphrasing: what's the difference.

There are two ways to integrate sources into your assignment: quoting directly or paraphrasing.

Quoting  is copying a selection from someone else's work, phrasing it exactly as it was originally written. When quoting place quotation marks (" ") around the selected passage to show where the quote begins and where it ends. Make sure to include an in-text citation. 

Paraphrasing  is used to show that you understand what the author wrote. You must reword the passage, expressing the ideas in your own words, and not just change a few words here and there. Make sure to also include an in-text citation. 

Quoting Example

There are two basic formats that can be used:

Parenthetical Style:

Narrative Style:

Quoting Tips

• Long Quotes
• Changing Quotes

What Is a Long Quotation?

A quotation of more than 40 words. 

Rules for Long Quotations

There are 4 rules that apply to long quotations that are different from regular quotations:

• The line before your long quotation, when you're introducing the quote, usually ends with a colon.
• The long quotation is indented half an inch from the rest of the text, so it looks like a block of text.
• There are no quotation marks around the quotation.
• The period at the end of the quotation comes before your in-text citation as opposed to after, as it does with regular quotations.

Example of a Long Quotation

At the end of Lord of the Flies the boys are struck with the realization of their behaviour:

The tears began to flow and sobs shook him. He gave himself up to them now for the first time on the island; great, shuddering spasms of grief that seemed to wrench his whole body. His voice rose under the black smoke before the burning wreckage of the island; and infected by that emotion, the other little boys began to shake and sob too. (Golding, 1960, p.186)

Changing Quotations

Sometimes you may want to make some modifications to the quote to fit your writing. Here are some APA rules when changing quotes:

Incorrect spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Add the word [sic] after the error in the quotation to let your reader know the error was in the original source and is not your error.

Omitting parts of a quotation

If you would like to exclude some words from a quotation, replace the words you are not including with an ellipsis - ...

Adding words to a quote

If you are adding words that are not part of the original quote, enclose the additional words in square brackets - [XYZ]

Secondary Source Quotes

What is a secondary source.

In scholarly work, a primary source reports original content; a secondary source refers to content first reported in another source.

• Cite secondary sources sparingly—for instance, when the original work is out of print, unavailable, or available only in a language that you do not understand.
• If possible, as a matter of good scholarly practice, find the primary source, read it, and cite it directly rather than citing a secondary source.

Rules for Secondary Source Citations

• In the reference list, provide an entry only for the secondary source that you used.
• In the text, identify the primary source and write “as cited in” the secondary source that you used. 
• If the year of publication of the primary source is known, also include it in the in-text citation.

Example of a Secondary Source Use

Quote & In-Text Citation

Reference List Entry

Paraphrases

Paraphrasing example.

When you write information from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion as follows:

If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name again as part of your in-text citation, instead include the year of publication following his/her name:

NOTE : Although not required, APA encourages including the page number when paraphrasing if it will help the reader locate the information in a long text and distinguish between the information that is coming from you and the source.

Paraphrasing Tips

• Long Paraphrases

Original Source

Homeless individuals commonly come from families who are riddled with problems and marital disharmony, and are alienated from their parents. They have often been physically and even sexually abused, have relocated frequently, and many of them may be asked to leave home or are actually thrown out, or alternatively are placed in group homes or in foster care. They often have no one to care for them and no one knows them intimately.

Source from: 

Rokach, A. (2005). The causes of loneliness in homeless youth. The Journal of Psychology, 139, 469-480. 

Example: Incorrect Paraphrasing

Example: correct paraphrasing.

If your paraphrase is longer than one sentence, provide an in-text citation for the source at the beginning of the paraphrase. As long as it's clear that the paraphrase continues to the following sentences, you don't have to include in-text citations for the following sentences.

If your paraphrase continues to another paragraph and/or you include paraphrases from other sources within the paragraph, repeat the in-text citations for each.

Additional Resource

• Paraphrasing (The Learning Portal)

Tip sheet on paraphrasing information

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Paraphrasing

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When you write information from a source in your own words, cite the source by adding an in-text citation at the end of the paraphrased portion as follows:

Mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research following the publication of John Bowlby's studies (Hunt, 1993).

Note : If you refer to the author's name in a sentence you do not have to include the name again as part of your in-text citation, instead include the year of publication following his/her name:

Hunt (1993) noted that mother-infant attachment became a leading topic of developmental research after the publication of John Bowlby's studies.

Paraphrasing Examples

Original Source

Homeless individuals commonly come from families who are riddled with problems and marital disharmony, and are alienated from their parents. They have often been physically and even sexually abused, have relocated frequently, and many of them may be asked to leave home or are actually thrown out, or alternatively are placed in group homes or in foster care. They often have no one to care for them and no one knows them intimately.

Source from: 

Rokach, A. (2005). The causes of loneliness in homeless youth.  The Journal of Psychology , 139, 469-480. 

Example:  Incorrect  Paraphrasing

The homeless come from families with problems. Frequently, they have been physically or sexually abused, or have lived in group homes. Usually no one cares for them or knows them intimately (Rokach, 2005). 

Note : In this incorrect example the writing is too similar to the original source. The student only changed or removed a few words and has not phrased the ideas in a new way. 

Example:  Correct  Paraphrasing

Many homeless experience isolation in part due to suffering from abuse or neglect during their childhood (Rokach, 2005).

Note : The example keeps the idea of the original writing but phrases it in a new way.

No Author and/or No Date

No Known Author:

Note that in most cases where a personal author is not named, a group author may be cited instead (eg. Statistics Canada). However, in certain cases, such as religious ancient texts, the author is unknown. Where you'd normally put the author's last name, instead use the first one, two, or three words from the title. Don't count initial articles like "A", "An" or "The". You should provide enough words to make it clear which work you're referring to from your References List.

If the title in the References list is in italics, italicize the words from the title in the in-text citation.

If you are citing an article, a chapter of a book or a page from a website, put the words in double quotation marks.

Capitalize the titles using title case (every major word is capitalized) even if the reference list entry uses sentence case (only first word is capitalized).

( Cell Biology , 2012, p. 157)

("Nursing," 2011, p. 9)

No Known Date of Publication :

Where you'd normally put the year of publication, instead use the letters "n.d.".

(Smith, n.d., p. 200)

In-Text Citation For Two or More Authors/Editors

In-text citation for group or corporate authors.

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When do I use in-text citations?

When should you add in-text citations in your paper .

There are several rules of thumb you can follow to make sure that you are citing your paper correctly in APA 7 format. 

• Think of your paper broken up into paragraphs. When you start a paragraph, the first time you add a sentence that has been paraphrased from a reference -> that's when you need to add an in-text citation. 
• Continue writing your paragraph, you do NOT need to add another in-text citation until: 1) You are paraphrasing from a NEW source, which means you need to cite NEW information OR 2) You need to cite a DIRECT quote, which includes a page number, paragraph number or Section title. 
• Important to remember : You DO NOT need to add an in-text citation after EVERY sentence of your paragraph. 

What do in-text citations look like?

In-text citation styles: , let's look at these examples if they were written in text: .

An example with 1 author:

Parenthetical citation:  Following American Psychological Association (APA) style guidelines will help you to cultivate your own unique academic voice as an expert in your field (Forbes, 2020). 

Narrative citation : Forbes (2020) shared that by following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines, students would learn to find their own voice as experts in the field of nursing. 

An example with 2 authors: 

Parenthetical citation: Research on the use of progressive muscle relaxation for stress reduction has demonstrated the efficacy of the method (Bennett & Miller, 2019). 

Narrative citation: As shared by Bennett and Miller (2019), research on the use of progressive muscle relaxation for stress reduction has demonstrated the efficacy of the method. 

An example with 3 authors: 

Parenthetical citation: Guided imagery has also been shown to reduce stress, length of hospital stay, and symptoms related to medical and psychological conditions (Jones et al., 2020).

Narrative citation: Jones et al. (2020) shared that guided imagery has also been shown to reduce stress, length of hospital stay, and symptoms related to medical and psychological conditions. 

An example with a group/corporate author: 

Parenthetical citation: Dr. Philip G. Rogers, senior vice president at the American Council on Education, was recently elected as the newest chancellor of the university (East Carolina University, 2020). 

Narrative citation: Recently shared on the East Carolina University (2020) website, Dr. Philip G. Rogers, senior vice president at the American Council on Education, was elected as the newest chancellor. 

Tips on Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is recreating someone else's ideas into your own words & thoughts, without changing the original meaning (gahan, 2020).  .

Here are some best practices when you are paraphrasing: 

• How do I learn to paraphrase? IF you are thoroughly reading and researching articles or book chapters for a paper, you will start to take notes in your own words . Those notes are the beginning of paraphrased information.
• Read the original information, PUT IT AWAY, then rewrite the ideas in your own words . This is hard to do at first, it takes practice, but this is how you start to paraphrase. 
• It's usually better to paraphrase, than to use too many direct quotes. 
• When you start to paraphrase, cite your source. 
• Make sure not to use language that is TOO close to the original, so that you are not committing plagiarism. 
• Use theasaurus.com to help you come up with like/similar phrases if you are struggling. 
• Paraphrasing (vs. using direct quotes) is important because it shows that YOU ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND the information you are reading. 
• Paraphrasing ALLOWS YOUR VOICE to be prevalent in your writing. 
• The best time to use direct quotes is when you need to give an exact definition, provide specific evidence, or if you need to use the original writer's terminology. 
• BEST PRACTICE PER PARAGRAPH: On your 1st paraphrase of a source, CITE IT. There is no need to add another in-text citation until you use a different source, OR, until you use a direct quote. 

References : 

Gahan, C. (2020, October 15). How to paraphrase sources . Scribbr.com .   https://tinyurl.com/y7ssxc6g  

Citing Direct Quotes

When should i use a direct quote in my paper .

Direct quotes should only be used occasionally: 

• When you need to share an exact definition 
• When you want to provide specific evidence or information that cannot be paraphrased
• When you want to use the original writer's terminology

From:  https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/whaddyamean/ 

Definitions of direct quotes: 

• Western Oregon University's APA Guidelines on Direct Quotes This is an excellent quick tutorial on how to format direct quotes in APA 7th edition. Bookmark this page for future reference!

Carrie Forbes, MLS

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Write it Right - A guide to Harvard referencing style

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What is Paraphrasing?

Examples of paraphrasing.

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Paraphrasing is expressing someone else’s writing in your own choice of words, while keeping the same essential meaning. As Pears and Shields (2019, p. 15) explain, it is ‘ an alternative way of referring to an author’s ideas or arguments without using direct quotations from their text’. 

Paraphrasing is generally more highly valued by academics than direct quoting because it allows you to demonstrate a greater understanding of your source and helps you to maintain your personal writing style and the smooth flow of your essay.

Don’t forget to include in-text citations ( author and date) in the text of your assignment and full references at the end of your assignment every time you paraphrase someone else’s words or ideas.

The example below (Handley and Cox, 2007) shows extracts from two student essays, both based on the same original text. The first extract demonstrates unacceptable paraphrasing and referencing, while the second extract demonstrates acceptable paraphrasing and referencing.

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How to Cite a Paraphrased Statement

Last Updated: December 9, 2022 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 44,303 times. Learn more...

When you write a research paper, you integrate material from outside sources with your own thoughts or ideas about a topic. Generally, use an in-text citation for anything other than your original words. A paraphrased statement, generally, is cited the same way a direct quote would be. The in-text citation directs your readers to the reference list at the end of your paper, which provides a more detailed description of the source material used. The specific format of your in-text citations and your reference list varies depending on which citation style you use. [1] X Research source

Placing Citations in Text

• You don't have to cite commonly known and accepted facts. However, you always need to cite ideas. If you're not sure whether a fact is commonly known or not, err on the side of caution and provide a citation.
• In most cases, the in-text citation falls at the end of the sentence that contains the information from the source. Some citation styles, however, require the citation immediately after the paraphrased information, even if that happens to be in the middle of a sentence.

• Modern Language Association (MLA) style uses an author-page number format for parenthetical citations in the body of your paper. If the source isn't paginated, simply leave that part out and include only the author's last name.
• American Psychological Association (APA) style uses an author-date format for parenthetical citations in the body of your paper. [4] X Research source
• The Chicago style accepts 2 different methods of in-text citation. You may either use the author-date format, similar to APA style, or you may have footnotes and a bibliography. Chicago-style footnotes include the same information as the full citation in the bibliography, but with slightly different formatting. [5] X Research source

• The only exception to this rule is a longer block quote set off from the rest of your text. A block quote only requires one citation, at the very end.
• Generally, you want to avoid having several sentences in a row that paraphrase from the same source. Type a sentence paraphrasing from the source, then add your own thoughts or analysis of that information in the next sentence.

• You can also use this format to indicate several sources with more information about a topic that is related to your topic, but beyond the scope of your research. You generally don't have to include full citations to such sources in your reference list.

• If the source is not paginated, some styles require you to use an abbreviation, such as "n.p." Check your style guide to be sure.
• MLA and Chicago, among other styles, do not require the abbreviation "p." or "pp." before page numbers. However, APA and others do.
• If you're citing a video or audio recording that has a runtime, include the timestamp range for the specific material you're quoting. [10] X Trustworthy Source Purdue Online Writing Lab Trusted resource for writing and citation guidelines Go to source

• Example sentence with signal phrase, APA style: Jones (1998) found "students often had difficulty using APA style" (p. 199).
• Same sentence without signal phrase, APA style: Research has shown that "students often had difficulty using APA style" (Jones, 1998, p. 199).

Creating a Reference List

• Your reference list (also called a bibliography or "Works Cited") includes a full citation for every research source you used for your research project. If you compile the list before you start writing, the writing process will be less disjointed, and you'll run less of a risk of leaving something off.
• Once you finish writing your paper, go through it and place a mark next to each reference on your reference list that appears in an in-text citation. If any of the sources on your reference list are unmarked, remove them from your reference list.

• Look over the rules before you start building your reference list, especially if you're using a different style for the first time.
• If the rules seem confusing, ask your instructor or a reference librarian for a sample reference list written using that style.

• For most common citation styles, sources are listed in alphabetical order by the first word in the full citation (usually the author's last name). If you happen to use more than one work by the same author, list them in chronological order starting with the earliest publication date.
• In rare instances, you may need to include a source in your references that you never cited in the text of your paper. For example, if you're writing a paper about dictatorial regimes and describe them as "Orwellian," you may want to include George Orwell's novel 1984 in your reference list, even though you never cited the novel directly. [15] X Research source

Quoting or Paraphrasing a Source

• Try to avoid looking at the source at all while you're writing. You might inadvertently plagiarize the original content – especially if the author is a particularly efficient writer. Look at the original passage after you've finished your paraphrase to ensure your wording is sufficiently different.

• For example, suppose your source says "Students have difficulty with new citation styles, usually because they didn't buy a copy of the style guide or ask their instructors enough questions." You can move the start to the middle and paraphrase to say "When students don't have their own copy of the style guide, they have more difficulty adapting to a new citation style."

• For example, suppose your source equates EU import rules with "trade protectionism" rather than "reasonable consumer protection." An effective paraphrase could state "EU import rules seem to benefit EU companies more than consumers."
• After you've changed the structure of the original passage, go back to the source and underline all phrases in your paraphrase that are identical to the original. Try to change as many of these as possible.
• You can use a thesaurus to find alternate words, but stay away from direct synonyms. For example, if the original source uses the word "feline," changing that word to "cat" won't necessarily help improve your paraphrase.

• Example: It would be easy for US companies to conclude that EU import restrictions and labeling rules amount to "trade protectionism," because they do little to assist consumers.

• Different styles vary in how long a direct quote can be before you have to set it off as a block quote. Generally, you can quote in line with your text if the quote is fewer than 40 words, or the equivalent of a line or two of text.

• When you use a block quote, you only need a citation at the end of the block, regardless of how many sentences you quote.
• Generally, block quotes should be limited. Only use them if absolutely necessary, and try to limit the length to 3 or 4 sentences at the most.

Expert Q&A

You might also like.

• ↑ https://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp
• ↑ https://libanswers.snhu.edu/faq/102912
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html
• ↑ https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/citations/paraphrasing
• ↑ http://liu.cwp.libguides.com/c.php?g=45846&p=291624
• ↑ http://askus.baker.edu/faq/217530
• ↑ https://guides.libraries.psu.edu/mlacitation/intext
• ↑ https://butlercc.libguides.com/mla/intext
• ↑ https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html
• ↑ https://pr.princeton.edu/pub/integrity/pages/cite/
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html
• ↑ https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase.html

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

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This handout is intended to help you become more comfortable with the uses of and distinctions among quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. This handout compares and contrasts the three terms, gives some pointers, and includes a short excerpt that you can use to practice these skills.

What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing.

Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.

Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?

Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes. You might use them to:

• Provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing
• Refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing
• Give examples of several points of view on a subject
• Call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with
• Highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original
• Distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own
• Expand the breadth or depth of your writing

Writers frequently intertwine summaries, paraphrases, and quotations. As part of a summary of an article, a chapter, or a book, a writer might include paraphrases of various key points blended with quotations of striking or suggestive phrases as in the following example:

In his famous and influential work The Interpretation of Dreams , Sigmund Freud argues that dreams are the "royal road to the unconscious" (page #), expressing in coded imagery the dreamer's unfulfilled wishes through a process known as the "dream-work" (page #). According to Freud, actual but unacceptable desires are censored internally and subjected to coding through layers of condensation and displacement before emerging in a kind of rebus puzzle in the dream itself (page #).

How to use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries

Practice summarizing the essay found here , using paraphrases and quotations as you go. It might be helpful to follow these steps:

• Read the entire text, noting the key points and main ideas.
• Summarize in your own words what the single main idea of the essay is.
• Paraphrase important supporting points that come up in the essay.
• Consider any words, phrases, or brief passages that you believe should be quoted directly.

There are several ways to integrate quotations into your text. Often, a short quotation works well when integrated into a sentence. Longer quotations can stand alone. Remember that quoting should be done only sparingly; be sure that you have a good reason to include a direct quotation when you decide to do so. You'll find guidelines for citing sources and punctuating citations at our documentation guide pages.

Paraphrasing & Citation

Return to Student Resources

Plagiarism is using someone else's words or ideas without giving proper credit. It can take many forms, including the following:

• Omitting documentation of a source
• Inadequately documenting the words or ideas you are using
• Closely paraphrasing the writing of another person without documentation

Remember, an author deserves credit for their ideas as well as their sentence structure, word choice, and sequence of thoughts. Changing several words in someone else's sentence does not make that sentence or idea your own.

If you are unsure if something you've written constitutes plagiarism or you would like more tips on how to avoid plagiarism, feel free to visit us in the Writing Center. You can also check your department's website for guidance. For Swarthmore's official policy on academic honesty, see the Academic Freedom and Responsibility section of the Swarthmore College Student Handbook Academic Policies .

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is putting another person's ideas in your own words. It is useful to paraphrase when your reader needs to understand or be exposed to the argument of another author in order to understand your argument. Paraphrasing ALWAYS requires a citation. Even if you are using your own words, the idea still belongs to someone else.

Sometimes there is a fine line between paraphrasing and plagiarizing someone's writing. Here's one strategy for paraphrasing effectively: read over the paragraph of interest. Then close the book or turn the page of the article and write a short summary. If you're still stuck with the author's language and sequence of thoughts, wait a few hours and try again. Once you have internalized the author's ideas, you will be able to express them in your own words. One of the keys to paraphrasing effectively is applying what you have learned instead of simply duplicating another author's writing or ideas in your paper.

If you're having trouble getting away from an author's exact words, you might want to simply include their exact words as a quotation with proper citations. Sometimes you can't express the same thought any other way because the precise meaning is lost when the phrasing is changed. There is nothing wrong with directly citing a source when you need to.

Common Knowledge

There are a few situations in which source material does not need an accompanying citation. It's very important to know when omitting a citation is acceptable. If you're not sure, consult your professor or the Writing Center.

Two common situations when you shouldn't cite a source are:

• When the information you are providing is "common knowledge," which means that someone could easily find the information in multiple reference texts. For example, stating that George Washington was president from 1789-1797 does not require a citation because the reader could easily find this information in any encyclopedia or American history book. The particular book you used is not significant.
• When the information you are providing is considered common knowledge in your field and you are writing for colleagues in that field, you shouldn't burden them with citations for commonly known theories and ideas. In Rules for Writers, Diana Hacker gives two examples: the current population of the United States could be common knowledge in the fields of sociology and economics, and Freud's theory of the unconscious could be common knowledge in psychology.

Citations allow you to give credit where credit is due. They also help your readers to track down your sources easily. For citations to serve their purpose (and for you to avoid plagiarism), it is imperative that you cite correctly and completely. Your choice of citation format may depend on specifications from your instructor, conventions for your discipline, or your personal preference.

The Writing Center library (Trotter 120) contains books that provide citation instructions, including the MLA Handbook, ACS Style Guide, APA guidelines, and multiple books from the Short Guide to Writing About... series. The reference librarians in McCabe and Cornell can help you format citations correctly. Also, many departments offer guidelines for citation. Check department websites or ask your professor.

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ENGL 1301 - Bosché - Summer 2024: MLA Citation

• Search Techniques
• Choosing the Best Sources
• Writing & Grammar

Stumped by a citation question?

Ask a librarian, documentation & plagiarism.

Not sure why you need to document your sources? 

Read our Documentation & Plagiarism Guide to find out.

Signal phrases

Figuring out how to fit a quote or paraphrase from a source into your paper can be tricky. You must craft a sentence so that the quote flows grammatically. We often introduce a quote or paraphrase with a signal phrase that helps setup the quote. In MLA  we use the present tense of verbs for this signal phrase. So a sentence with a quotation or paraphrase from a person with the last name Smith might start something like this:

Smith argues that "..."

Smith disputes the idea that ...

According to Smith, "..."

More information on and examples of signal phrases can be found on the OWL Purdue site.

Figuring out how to make your paper flow between your words and quotes from other authors can be tricky at first, but with practice you can learn to seamlessly support your writing with quotations from other authors.

MLA (Modern Language Association) Documentation style

Each ACC Library has a copy of the MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers in the Reference collection ( REF LB 2369 .G53 2003 ) for use in the library and copies in the circulating collection (LB 2369 .G53 2003 ) that you can check out for 2 weeks.

• MLA citation guide Covers the basic citation rules and provides citation examples of the commonly used source types.
• Purdue OWL: MLA Formatting and Style Guide A guide from Purdue University on using MLA guidelines in research papers and and citing all sources.

Citation Generators

Remember, even if you use a citation generator, it's still your responsibility to check over your citations to make sure they're correct!

• Citation Machine A citation generator for MLA, APA, Turabian and Chicago styles.
• KnightCite A citation generator created by the Hekman Library of Calvin College. It assists with creating citations in MLA, APA, and Chicago for all types of resources. You have the option to register for additional features such as saving and exporting citations.
• NoodleTools Use NoodleBib Express to quickly create citations in MLA or APA, or register for a NoodleBib MLA Starter account for additional features such as the ability save citations and format a works cited page.
• Zotero A Firefox extension that helps with the collection, management, and citation of sources. Note: For FIREFOX only.

• << Previous: Choosing the Best Sources
• Next: Writing & Grammar >>
• Last Updated: Jun 3, 2024 10:01 AM
• URL: https://researchguides.austincc.edu/Bosche2024

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Or check our popular categories..., what is paraphrasing plagiarism and how to avoid it, key takeaways:.

• To prevent duplication of content, always ensure your paraphrasing significantly alters the original text while retaining the core message.
• Crafting effective content involves using your own words and a distinct sentence structure to convey ideas for assignment writing clearly and originally.
• An acceptable paraphrase requires more than just changing a few words; it demands a complete rewrite to avoid any hints of copying.
• Online paraphraser tools can aid in creating unique content but must be used responsibly to maintain originality and avoid content replication.
• An efficient writing experience incorporates thorough understanding and rephrasing of source material, ensuring the new text is original and free from content duplication.

Have you ever struggled to put someone else’s ideas into your own words? We’ve all been there.

Paraphrasing is a valuable writing skill, but the line between effective paraphrasing and plagiarism can be blurry. Inadvertent copying, or paraphrasing, can happen because of this.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to steer clear of plagiarism and comfortably overcome the paraphrasing arena. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is plagiarism , and why is it important to avoid?
• What is paraphrasing, and how can it benefit your writing?
• Meaning and example of paraphrasing plagiarism .
• How can seemingly good paraphrasing practices turn into plagiarism ?
• How to paraphrase correctly, including clear steps and examples.
• The potential consequences of plagiarism, both in school and beyond.

What is Plagiarism?

Plagiarism is basically stealing someone else’s work and pretending it’s your own. It applies to written stuff like copying parts of a book without quotation marks or rewriting someone’s ideas without mentioning them. But it’s not limited to writing!

Imagine you’re giving a presentation and you use your friend’s research without saying it’s theirs. That’s plagiarism too. It can also involve music, art, or even inventions if you copy someone else’s work and claim it as your own.

The important thing is to be honest about where your information comes from, whether it’s writing, a presentation, or anything else you create.

What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is like putting on a new outfit for an idea. You take the same core message from someone else’s work and express it in your own words, with different phrasing and maybe even sentence structure.

It’s key to keep the original meaning intact while making it your own.

Here’s the spectrum of paraphrasing:

• Close Paraphrase: This stays very similar to the original text, swapping synonyms for some words but keeping the core sentence structure.
• Mid-Range Paraphrase: This rearranges the sentence structure and uses more synonyms, making it a bit more distant from the original wording.
• Loose Paraphrase: This takes the central idea and expresses it in a completely new way, potentially even changing the tone or emphasis.

It’s important to remember that paraphrasing is different from summarising. Summarising condenses the main points of a longer piece, while paraphrasing focuses on restating a specific idea or passage differently.

Benefits of Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing offers a treasure trove of benefits that go beyond just avoiding plagiarism . Here’s a breakdown of some key advantages:

• Boosts Comprehension: The act of paraphrasing forces you to truly grasp the meaning of the original text. As you search for synonyms and restructure individual sentences, you solidify your understanding of the core ideas.
• Enhances Writing Skills: Paraphrasing strengthens your vocabulary and refines your ability to express yourself clearly and concisely. It’s like a workout for your writing process!
• Avoids Plagiarism: This is a big one! Paraphrasing helps you ethically integrate information from sources without simply copying.
• Improves Communication: Communication is a two-way street, and paraphrasing helps you bridge the gap with your audience. Imagine explaining a complex scientific concept to your grandma. Through paraphrasing, you can tailor the information to her level of understanding, ensuring your message resonates and lands.
• Fosters Critical Thinking: Paraphrasing isn’t passive note-taking; it’s an active dialogue with the information. As you grapple with how best to rephrase, you’re forced to analyse the core concepts, identify underlying assumptions, and potentially even challenge the original ideas. This critical thinking fosters a deeper understanding that goes beyond surface-level memorisation.
• Original Slant: Paraphrasing allows you to inject your own perspective into the information. You can choose words and sentence structures that resonate with your own voice and style.
• Clarity and Concision: Sometimes the original text might be overly complex or wordy. Paraphrasing lets you present the ideas in a clearer and more concise way.

By incorporating paraphrasing into your learning and communication strategies, you’ll unlock a world of benefits that will strengthen your writing, improve your understanding, and allow you to effectively share information.

What is Paraphrasing Plagiarism?

Paraphrasing plagiarism occurs when someone rephrases another person’s ideas or text without proper attribution, making it appear as if the rephrased content piece is their own original work. This type of plagiarism is deceptive because, while the words and sentence structures may be different, the core ideas and information remain the same as the original source.

Example of Paraphrasing Plagiarism:

Consider a student who reads an article on the effects of social media on mental health. If the student takes a paragraph from the article, changes a few words and the order of the sentences, but does not credit the original author, this is paraphrasing plagiarism.

For instance, if the original text states, “Social media usage can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression among teenagers,” and the student writes, “Using social media can raise anxiety and depression levels in teens,” without citation, it is still plagiarism.

Proper paraphrasing involves not only changing the wording and structure but also citing the source. Even if the information is reworded, the original ideas must be attributed to the original author to maintain academic and professional integrity.

How Paraphrasing can Lead to Plagiarism?

Here’s how paraphrasing can lead to plagiarism:

• Misunderstanding vs. Originality: Sometimes, when paraphrasing, we might misinterpret the original idea. We unintentionally rephrase a core concept believing it’s our own original thought. This unintentional plagiarism highlights the importance of thorough comprehension before paraphrasing.
• Overreliance and Patchwork: Relying too heavily on the original source’s structure or phrasing can lead to plagiarism. Imagine piecing together a text by paraphrasing sentences from a single source without weaving in your own analysis or changing the core structure significantly. This creates a patchwork of paraphrased sentences that still belongs to the original author.
• Incomplete Paraphrasing: A common pitfall is focusing solely on synonyms while keeping the sentence structure and overall flow very similar to the original. Swapping a few words doesn’t constitute true paraphrasing, and it fails to demonstrate your understanding of the concept.

How to Paraphrase Correctly to Avoid Plagiarism?

Paraphrasing correctly is an essential skill to avoid plagiarism and maintain the integrity of your work. Here are key steps to ensure you paraphrase properly:

• Fully Understand the Source Material : Before attempting to paraphrase, read the original text several times until you thoroughly understand the main ideas and details. This comprehension is crucial for effective paraphrasing.
• Use Your Own Words and Sentence Structure : When paraphrasing, aim to completely rephrase the text using your own vocabulary and sentence structure. Avoid simply replacing words with synonyms. The goal is to rewrite the entire content in a way that reflects your unique understanding.
• Avoid Copying the Original Structure : Ensure that the structure of your paraphrased text is different from the original. This means not only changing words but also reorganising the information in a new format.
• Include Proper Citation : Even when paraphrasing, it is essential to credit the original source. Include an in-text citation and a corresponding entry in your reference list to acknowledge the original author’s work.
• Compare with the Original : After paraphrasing, compare your version with the original text to ensure you have sufficiently transformed the wording and structure while accurately conveying the same meaning.
• Use Plagiarism Detection Tools : Employ plagiarism detection tools to check your work for any unintentional similarities with the source material. These AI-based technology can help you identify areas that may need further revision.

Paraphrasing Plagiarism in Various Fields

Academic writing.

Paraphrasing plagiarism in academic writing is particularly common. Students and researchers often need to use information from various sources to support their arguments and ideas. When they fail to paraphrase correctly or forget to cite their sources, it results in plagiarism.

Academic institutions take it very seriously, and students caught plagiarising can face severe consequences, including failing grades, suspension, or even expulsion.

Paraphrasing plagiarism in journalism occurs when reporters or writers use information from other articles, reports, or sources without proper attribution.

Journalists are expected to present original content and give credit to the sources they use. Failure to do so can damage their credibility and career, and lead to legal issues for their publications.

Content Creation

Content writers, such as bloggers, social media influencers, and web writers, often paraphrase information to produce engaging and informative content.

Paraphrasing plagiarism happens when they do not sufficiently alter the original text or fail to credit the original author. This can harm their reputation and lead to issues with copyright infringement .

Business and Marketing

In business and marketing, professionals often create reports, presentations, and marketing materials that include information from various sources.

Paraphrasing plagiarism occurs when they do not properly reword the information or provide citations. This can lead to loss of trust, legal problems, and damage to the company’s reputation.

Scientific Research

Scientists and researchers frequently paraphrase findings from other studies in their papers and reports.

Paraphrasing plagiarism happens when they do not sufficiently change the wording or structure of the original text or neglect to cite the original study. This can result in retraction of published papers, loss of credibility, and ethical issues in the scientific community.

Teachers and educators sometimes paraphrase materials from textbooks, research papers, or other educational resources. When they fail to properly rephrase the engaging content or credit the original authors, it results in paraphrasing plagiarism. This sets a poor example for students and undermines the integrity of the educational process.

The Sting of Stealing Knowledge: Consequences of Paraphrasing Plagiarism

Paraphrasing plagiarism, the act of rephrasing someone else’s ideas without proper citation, might seem like a harmless act. However, the consequences can sting just as much as blatant plagiarism. Here’s why you should tread carefully:

• Academic Repercussions: In schools and universities, it can be a serious offense. Depending on the severity, it could lead to a failing grade on the assignment, a mark on your academic record, or even suspension or expulsion.
• Loss of Credibility: In professional settings, it undermines your credibility. It shows a lack of respect for intellectual property and raises questions about your research and writing skills.
• Legal Issues: In extreme cases, especially with copyrighted material , it could lead to legal action. Copyright infringement can result in fines and even lawsuits.
• Damage to Reputation: A reputation for plagiarism can be difficult to shake off. It can impact your future academic or professional opportunities.

Beyond Penalties:

• Hinders Learning: It prevents you from truly understanding the material. By simply rephrasing without critical analysis, you miss out on the opportunity to learn and integrate the information effectively.
• Unethical Behavior: At its core, it is a form of intellectual theft. It takes credit away from the original author and undermines the value of their work.

What’s Next?

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill that helps you understand and explain information in your own words. However, it’s important to do it correctly to avoid rewording plagiarism .

Remember to always give credit to the original author and change the words and structure of the text completely. By practicing good paraphrasing habits, you can show respect for others’ work and maintain your own integrity.

Plagiarism has serious consequences, so it’s crucial to avoid it at all costs. By employing Bytescare Plagiarism checker, you can ensure original content. Book a demo to see first hand, how it helps you to write plagiarism free content.

What is the difference between paraphrasing and word-for-word plagiarism?

Paraphrasing involves rewording someone else’s ideas into your own words while maintaining the original meaning.

Word-for-word copying is when you copy text exactly as it appears in the original source without any changes or crediting the author.

Paraphrasing requires significant changes to the wording and structure, whereas word-for-word plagiarism is direct copying.

How can paraphrasing lead to plagiarism?

Paraphrasing can lead to plagiarism if the rephrased text is too similar to the original or if the source is not properly cited. Even if the words are changed, maintaining the same sentence structure and failing to give credit to the original author is considered plagiarism.

Is it possible to paraphrase without committing plagiarism?

Yes, it is possible to paraphrase online without committing plagiarism. To do this, you must completely rewrite the original text in your own words and sentence structure. Additionally, you must cite the original source to give proper credit to the author.

What is an example of word-for-word plagiarism?

An example of word-for-word imitating is copying a sentence directly from a book or website and pasting it into your work without quotation marks or a citation. For instance, taking the sentence “The Eiffel Tower is one of the most recognisable structures in the world” and using it verbatim in your essay without crediting the source.

Can paraphrasing be too close to the original text?

Yes, paraphrasing can be too close to the original text if only minor changes are made, such as replacing a few words with synonyms or slightly rearranging the sentences. This is often called “patchwriting” and is still considered plagiarism because the rephrased text closely mirrors the original.

How do I avoid paraphrasing plagiarism?

To avoid the examples of plagiarism in paraphrasing, you should thoroughly understand the original text and then write it in your own words, significantly changing the wording and structure. Additionally, always cite the original source to give proper credit to the author.

Why is citing sources important even when paraphrasing?

Citing sources is important when paraphrasing because it gives credit to the original author for their ideas and work. Proper citation shows respect for intellectual property, maintains academic integrity, and helps avoid accusations of plagiarism.

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Stay focused with productivity features

Distraction is the archnemesis of effective study sessions. Microsoft Edge comes to the rescue with features that keep you focused on your work:

• Immersive Reader : Sometimes, studying involves reading lengthy articles or research papers. Immersive Reader offers several ways to improve your reading experience. It minimizes distractions by displaying text in a clean, clutter-free layout. You can adjust text size, spacing, and background colors to suit your preferences. Or if you’d rather listen than read, take advantage of the read aloud Immersive Reader capability.
• Tab Groups :   When you need to get organized and stay focused, use tab groups. By grouping tabs you can put together pages based on things you need to get done creating, a web page to-do list. You can also create a tab group for your research, and when you are done you can collapse the tab group, allowing you to focus solely on the material you're studying.

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Organize your webpages with Collections

If you want to learn how to study efficiently, organization is key . Collections in Microsoft Edge allow you to save and organize webpages. When researching a topic, simply add relevant webpages to your collection. The Collections feature makes it easier to gather information efficiently and keep it organized by assignment or class.

Integration with Microsoft 365 apps

Microsoft Edge’s integration with Microsoft 365 apps makes compiling your study materials into papers and presentations a breeze. Access Microsoft 365 apps right in the sidebar. This seamless integration ensures that your study materials are always accessible and you can work on assignments without switching between different software, saving valuable time and reducing distractions.

Using Microsoft Edge ethically when studying

When it comes to ethics, consider the responsible use of Microsoft Edge and AI features in your study routine. While AI can offer tremendous benefits in terms of research assistance and productivity, use it ethically. This means giving proper credit to sources, avoiding plagiarism, and respecting copyright laws. Additionally, when using AI-powered tools for tasks like paraphrasing or summarizing , make sure you review and edit the output to ensure accuracy and maintain academic integrity. Ethical use of technology ensures your success in studying is based on your own efforts and understanding, rather than taking shortcuts that could compromise your education.

Try out these study tips using Microsoft Edge  features and see how they impact your time and effectiveness. You may discover your new favorite new way to learn.

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Computer Science > Cryptography and Security

Title: large language model watermark stealing with mixed integer programming.

Abstract: The Large Language Model (LLM) watermark is a newly emerging technique that shows promise in addressing concerns surrounding LLM copyright, monitoring AI-generated text, and preventing its misuse. The LLM watermark scheme commonly includes generating secret keys to partition the vocabulary into green and red lists, applying a perturbation to the logits of tokens in the green list to increase their sampling likelihood, thus facilitating watermark detection to identify AI-generated text if the proportion of green tokens exceeds a threshold. However, recent research indicates that watermarking methods using numerous keys are susceptible to removal attacks, such as token editing, synonym substitution, and paraphrasing, with robustness declining as the number of keys increases. Therefore, the state-of-the-art watermark schemes that employ fewer or single keys have been demonstrated to be more robust against text editing and paraphrasing. In this paper, we propose a novel green list stealing attack against the state-of-the-art LLM watermark scheme and systematically examine its vulnerability to this attack. We formalize the attack as a mixed integer programming problem with constraints. We evaluate our attack under a comprehensive threat model, including an extreme scenario where the attacker has no prior knowledge, lacks access to the watermark detector API, and possesses no information about the LLM's parameter settings or watermark injection/detection scheme. Extensive experiments on LLMs, such as OPT and LLaMA, demonstrate that our attack can successfully steal the green list and remove the watermark across all settings.

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