Quoting and Paraphrasing

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College writing often involves integrating information from published sources into your own writing in order to add credibility and authority–this process is essential to research and the production of new knowledge.

However, when building on the work of others, you need to be careful not to plagiarize : “to steal and pass off (the ideas and words of another) as one’s own” or to “present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source.”1 The University of Wisconsin–Madison takes this act of “intellectual burglary” very seriously and considers it to be a breach of academic integrity . Penalties are severe.

These materials will help you avoid plagiarism by teaching you how to properly integrate information from published sources into your own writing.

1. Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed. (Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 1993), 888.

How to avoid plagiarism

When using sources in your papers, you can avoid plagiarism by knowing what must be documented.

Specific words and phrases

If you use an author’s specific word or words, you must place those words within quotation marks and you must credit the source.

Information and Ideas

Even if you use your own words, if you obtained the information or ideas you are presenting from a source, you must document the source.

Information : If a piece of information isn’t common knowledge (see below), you need to provide a source.

Ideas : An author’s ideas may include not only points made and conclusions drawn, but, for instance, a specific method or theory, the arrangement of material, or a list of steps in a process or characteristics of a medical condition. If a source provided any of these, you need to acknowledge the source.

Common Knowledge?

You do not need to cite a source for material considered common knowledge:

General common knowledge is factual information considered to be in the public domain, such as birth and death dates of well-known figures, and generally accepted dates of military, political, literary, and other historical events. In general, factual information contained in multiple standard reference works can usually be considered to be in the public domain.

Field-specific common knowledge is “common” only within a particular field or specialty. It may include facts, theories, or methods that are familiar to readers within that discipline. For instance, you may not need to cite a reference to Piaget’s developmental stages in a paper for an education class or give a source for your description of a commonly used method in a biology report—but you must be sure that this information is so widely known within that field that it will be shared by your readers.

If in doubt, be cautious and cite the source. And in the case of both general and field-specific common knowledge, if you use the exact words of the reference source, you must use quotation marks and credit the source.

Paraphrasing vs. Quoting — Explanation

Should i paraphrase or quote.

In general, use direct quotations only if you have a good reason. Most of your paper should be in your own words. Also, it’s often conventional to quote more extensively from sources when you’re writing a humanities paper, and to summarize from sources when you’re writing in the social or natural sciences–but there are always exceptions.

In a literary analysis paper , for example, you”ll want to quote from the literary text rather than summarize, because part of your task in this kind of paper is to analyze the specific words and phrases an author uses.

In research papers , you should quote from a source

  • to show that an authority supports your point
  • to present a position or argument to critique or comment on
  • to include especially moving or historically significant language
  • to present a particularly well-stated passage whose meaning would be lost or changed if paraphrased or summarized

You should summarize or paraphrase when

  • what you want from the source is the idea expressed, and not the specific language used to express it
  • you can express in fewer words what the key point of a source is

How to paraphrase a source

General advice.

  • When reading a passage, try first to understand it as a whole, rather than pausing to write down specific ideas or phrases.
  • Be selective. Unless your assignment is to do a formal or “literal” paraphrase, you usually don?t need to paraphrase an entire passage; instead, choose and summarize the material that helps you make a point in your paper.
  • Think of what “your own words” would be if you were telling someone who’s unfamiliar with your subject (your mother, your brother, a friend) what the original source said.
  • Remember that you can use direct quotations of phrases from the original within your paraphrase, and that you don’t need to change or put quotation marks around shared language.

Methods of Paraphrasing

  • Look away from the source then write. Read the text you want to paraphrase several times until you feel that you understand it and can use your own words to restate it to someone else. Then, look away from the original and rewrite the text in your own words.
  • Take notes. Take abbreviated notes; set the notes aside; then paraphrase from the notes a day or so later, or when you draft.

If you find that you can’t do A or B, this may mean that you don’t understand the passage completely or that you need to use a more structured process until you have more experience in paraphrasing.

The method below is not only a way to create a paraphrase but also a way to understand a difficult text.

Paraphrasing difficult texts

Consider the following passage from Love and Toil (a book on motherhood in London from 1870 to 1918), in which the author, Ellen Ross, puts forth one of her major arguments:

  • Love and Toil maintains that family survival was the mother’s main charge among the large majority of London?s population who were poor or working class; the emotional and intellectual nurture of her child or children and even their actual comfort were forced into the background. To mother was to work for and organize household subsistence. (p. 9)
Children of the poor at the turn of the century received little if any emotional or intellectual nurturing from their mothers, whose main charge was family survival. Working for and organizing household subsistence were what defined mothering. Next to this, even the children’s basic comfort was forced into the background (Ross, 1995).
According to Ross (1993), poor children at the turn of the century received little mothering in our sense of the term. Mothering was defined by economic status, and among the poor, a mother’s foremost responsibility was not to stimulate her children’s minds or foster their emotional growth but to provide food and shelter to meet the basic requirements for physical survival. Given the magnitude of this task, children were deprived of even the “actual comfort” (p. 9) we expect mothers to provide today.

You may need to go through this process several times to create a satisfactory paraphrase.

Successful vs. unsuccessful paraphrases

Paraphrasing is often defined as putting a passage from an author into “your own words.” But what are your own words? How different must your paraphrase be from the original?

The paragraphs below provide an example by showing a passage as it appears in the source, two paraphrases that follow the source too closely, and a legitimate paraphrase.

The student’s intention was to incorporate the material in the original passage into a section of a paper on the concept of “experts” that compared the functions of experts and nonexperts in several professions.

The Passage as It Appears in the Source

Critical care nurses function in a hierarchy of roles. In this open heart surgery unit, the nurse manager hires and fires the nursing personnel. The nurse manager does not directly care for patients but follows the progress of unusual or long-term patients. On each shift a nurse assumes the role of resource nurse. This person oversees the hour-by-hour functioning of the unit as a whole, such as considering expected admissions and discharges of patients, ascertaining that beds are available for patients in the operating room, and covering sick calls. Resource nurses also take a patient assignment. They are the most experienced of all the staff nurses. The nurse clinician has a separate job description and provides for quality of care by orienting new staff, developing unit policies, and providing direct support where needed, such as assisting in emergency situations. The clinical nurse specialist in this unit is mostly involved with formal teaching in orienting new staff. The nurse manager, nurse clinician, and clinical nurse specialist are the designated experts. They do not take patient assignments. The resource nurse is seen as both a caregiver and a resource to other caregivers. . . . Staff nurses have a hierarchy of seniority. . . . Staff nurses are assigned to patients to provide all their nursing care. (Chase, 1995, p. 156)

Word-for-Word Plagiarism

Critical care nurses have a hierarchy of roles. The nurse manager hires and fires nurses. S/he does not directly care for patients but does follow unusual or long-term cases. On each shift a resource nurse attends to the functioning of the unit as a whole, such as making sure beds are available in the operating room , and also has a patient assignment . The nurse clinician orients new staff, develops policies, and provides support where needed . The clinical nurse specialist also orients new staff, mostly by formal teaching. The nurse manager, nurse clinician, and clinical nurse specialist , as the designated experts, do not take patient assignments . The resource nurse is not only a caregiver but a resource to the other caregivers . Within the staff nurses there is also a hierarchy of seniority . Their job is to give assigned patients all their nursing care .

Why this is plagiarism

Notice that the writer has not only “borrowed” Chase’s material (the results of her research) with no acknowledgment, but has also largely maintained the author’s method of expression and sentence structure. The phrases in red are directly copied from the source or changed only slightly in form.

Even if the student-writer had acknowledged Chase as the source of the content, the language of the passage would be considered plagiarized because no quotation marks indicate the phrases that come directly from Chase. And if quotation marks did appear around all these phrases, this paragraph would be so cluttered that it would be unreadable.

A Patchwork Paraphrase

Chase (1995) describes how nurses in a critical care unit function in a hierarchy that places designated experts at the top and the least senior staff nurses at the bottom. The experts — the nurse manager, nurse clinician, and clinical nurse specialist — are not involved directly in patient care. The staff nurses, in contrast, are assigned to patients and provide all their nursing care . Within the staff nurses is a hierarchy of seniority in which the most senior can become resource nurses: they are assigned a patient but also serve as a resource to other caregivers. The experts have administrative and teaching tasks such as selecting and orienting new staff, developing unit policies , and giving hands-on support where needed.

This paraphrase is a patchwork composed of pieces in the original author’s language (in red) and pieces in the student-writer’s words, all rearranged into a new pattern, but with none of the borrowed pieces in quotation marks. Thus, even though the writer acknowledges the source of the material, the underlined phrases are falsely presented as the student’s own.

A Legitimate Paraphrase

In her study of the roles of nurses in a critical care unit, Chase (1995) also found a hierarchy that distinguished the roles of experts and others. Just as the educational experts described above do not directly teach students, the experts in this unit do not directly attend to patients. That is the role of the staff nurses, who, like teachers, have their own “hierarchy of seniority” (p. 156). The roles of the experts include employing unit nurses and overseeing the care of special patients (nurse manager), teaching and otherwise integrating new personnel into the unit (clinical nurse specialist and nurse clinician), and policy-making (nurse clinician). In an intermediate position in the hierarchy is the resource nurse, a staff nurse with more experience than the others, who assumes direct care of patients as the other staff nurses do, but also takes on tasks to ensure the smooth operation of the entire facility.

Why this is a good paraphrase

The writer has documented Chase’s material and specific language (by direct reference to the author and by quotation marks around language taken directly from the source). Notice too that the writer has modified Chase’s language and structure and has added material to fit the new context and purpose — to present the distinctive functions of experts and nonexperts in several professions.

Shared Language

Perhaps you’ve noticed that a number of phrases from the original passage appear in the legitimate paraphrase: critical care, staff nurses, nurse manager, clinical nurse specialist, nurse clinician, resource nurse.

If all these phrases were in red, the paraphrase would look much like the “patchwork” example. The difference is that the phrases in the legitimate paraphrase are all precise, economical, and conventional designations that are part of the shared language within the nursing discipline (in the too-close paraphrases, they’re red only when used within a longer borrowed phrase).

In every discipline and in certain genres (such as the empirical research report), some phrases are so specialized or conventional that you can’t paraphrase them except by wordy and awkward circumlocutions that would be less familiar (and thus less readable) to the audience.

When you repeat such phrases, you’re not stealing the unique phrasing of an individual writer but using a common vocabulary shared by a community of scholars.

Some Examples of Shared Language You Don’t Need to Put in Quotation Marks

  • Conventional designations: e.g., physician’s assistant, chronic low-back pain
  • Preferred bias-free language: e.g., persons with disabilities
  • Technical terms and phrases of a discipline or genre : e.g., reduplication, cognitive domain, material culture, sexual harassment
Chase, S. K. (1995). The social context of critical care clinical judgment. Heart and Lung, 24, 154-162.

How to Quote a Source

Introducing a quotation.

One of your jobs as a writer is to guide your reader through your text. Don’t simply drop quotations into your paper and leave it to the reader to make connections.

Integrating a quotation into your text usually involves two elements:

  • A signal that a quotation is coming–generally the author’s name and/or a reference to the work
  • An assertion that indicates the relationship of the quotation to your text

Often both the signal and the assertion appear in a single introductory statement, as in the example below. Notice how a transitional phrase also serves to connect the quotation smoothly to the introductory statement.

Ross (1993), in her study of poor and working-class mothers in London from 1870-1918 [signal], makes it clear that economic status to a large extent determined the meaning of motherhood [assertion]. Among this population [connection], “To mother was to work for and organize household subsistence” (p. 9).

The signal can also come after the assertion, again with a connecting word or phrase:

Illness was rarely a routine matter in the nineteenth century [assertion]. As [connection] Ross observes [signal], “Maternal thinking about children’s health revolved around the possibility of a child’s maiming or death” (p. 166).

Formatting Quotations

Short direct prose.

Incorporate short direct prose quotations into the text of your paper and enclose them in double quotation marks:

According to Jonathan Clarke, “Professional diplomats often say that trying to think diplomatically about foreign policy is a waste of time.”

Longer prose quotations

Begin longer quotations (for instance, in the APA system, 40 words or more) on a new line and indent the entire quotation (i.e., put in block form), with no quotation marks at beginning or end, as in the quoted passage from our Successful vs. Unsucessful Paraphrases page.

Rules about the minimum length of block quotations, how many spaces to indent, and whether to single- or double-space extended quotations vary with different documentation systems; check the guidelines for the system you’re using.

Quotation of Up to 3 Lines of Poetry

Quotations of up to 3 lines of poetry should be integrated into your sentence. For example:

In Julius Caesar, Antony begins his famous speech with “Friends, Romans, Countrymen, lend me your ears; / I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him” (III.ii.75-76).

Notice that a slash (/) with a space on either side is used to separate lines.

Quotation of More than 3 Lines of Poetry

More than 3 lines of poetry should be indented. As with any extended (indented) quotation, do not use quotation marks unless you need to indicate a quotation within your quotation.

Punctuating with Quotation Marks

Parenthetical citations.

With short quotations, place citations outside of closing quotation marks, followed by sentence punctuation (period, question mark, comma, semi-colon, colon):

Menand (2002) characterizes language as “a social weapon” (p. 115).

With block quotations, check the guidelines for the documentation system you are using.

Commas and periods

Place inside closing quotation marks when no parenthetical citation follows:

Hertzberg (2002) notes that “treating the Constitution as imperfect is not new,” but because of Dahl’s credentials, his “apostasy merits attention” (p. 85).

Semicolons and colons

Place outside of closing quotation marks (or after a parenthetical citation).

Question marks and exclamation points

Place inside closing quotation marks if the quotation is a question/exclamation:

Menand (2001) acknowledges that H. W. Fowler’s Modern English Usage is “a classic of the language,” but he asks, “Is it a dead classic?” (p. 114).

[Note that a period still follows the closing parenthesis.]

Place outside of closing quotation marks if the entire sentence containing the quotation is a question or exclamation:

How many students actually read the guide to find out what is meant by “academic misconduct”?

Quotation within a quotation

Use single quotation marks for the embedded quotation:

According to Hertzberg (2002), Dahl gives the U. S. Constitution “bad marks in ‘democratic fairness’ and ‘encouraging consensus'” (p. 90).

[The phrases “democratic fairness” and “encouraging consensus” are already in quotation marks in Dahl’s sentence.]

Indicating Changes in Quotations

Quoting only a portion of the whole.

Use ellipsis points (. . .) to indicate an omission within a quotation–but not at the beginning or end unless it’s not obvious that you’re quoting only a portion of the whole.

Adding Clarification, Comment, or Correction

Within quotations, use square brackets [ ] (not parentheses) to add your own clarification, comment, or correction.

Use [sic] (meaning “so” or “thus”) to indicate that a mistake is in the source you’re quoting and is not your own.

Additional information

Information on summarizing and paraphrasing sources.

American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (4th ed.). (2000). Retrieved January 7, 2002, from http://www.bartleby.com/61/ Bazerman, C. (1995). The informed writer: Using sources in the disciplines (5th ed). Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Leki, I. (1995). Academic writing: Exploring processes and strategies (2nd ed.) New York: St. Martin?s Press, pp. 185-211.

Leki describes the basic method presented in C, pp. 4-5.

Spatt, B. (1999). Writing from sources (5th ed.) New York: St. Martin?s Press, pp. 98-119; 364-371.

Information about specific documentation systems

The Writing Center has handouts explaining how to use many of the standard documentation systems. You may look at our general Web page on Documentation Systems, or you may check out any of the following specific Web pages.

If you’re not sure which documentation system to use, ask the course instructor who assigned your paper.

  • American Psychological Assoicaion (APA)
  • Modern Language Association (MLA)
  • Chicago/Turabian (A Footnote or Endnote System)
  • American Political Science Association (APSA)
  • Council of Science Editors (CBE)
  • Numbered References

You may also consult the following guides:

  • American Medical Association, Manual for Authors and Editors
  • Council of Science Editors, CBE style Manual
  • The Chicago Manual of Style
  • MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers
  • Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

paraphrasing with quotation marks

Academic and Professional Writing

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Analysis Papers

Reading Poetry

A Short Guide to Close Reading for Literary Analysis

Using Literary Quotations

Play Reviews

Writing a Rhetorical Précis to Analyze Nonfiction Texts

Incorporating Interview Data

Grant Proposals

Planning and Writing a Grant Proposal: The Basics

Additional Resources for Grants and Proposal Writing

Job Materials and Application Essays

Writing Personal Statements for Ph.D. Programs

  • Before you begin: useful tips for writing your essay
  • Guided brainstorming exercises
  • Get more help with your essay
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Resume Writing Tips

CV Writing Tips

Cover Letters

Business Letters

Proposals and Dissertations

Resources for Proposal Writers

Resources for Dissertators

Research Papers

Planning and Writing Research Papers

Writing Annotated Bibliographies

Creating Poster Presentations

Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

Thank-You Notes

Advice for Students Writing Thank-You Notes to Donors

Reading for a Review

Critical Reviews

Writing a Review of Literature

Scientific Reports

Scientific Report Format

Sample Lab Assignment

Writing for the Web

Writing an Effective Blog Post

Writing for Social Media: A Guide for Academics

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5 Using Paraphrases & Quotations

Often, when you are writing a college essay, you will want to include other people’s ideas and research. This is a good way to enter the scholarly conversation about your topic, and to demonstrate your credibility as an author, because it shows that you have read and considered other experts’ ideas. Your audience will be able to see that you understand what has already been said about the topic, before you contribute your new ideas. In addition to summarizing (as discussed in a previous chapter), there are two other ways to incorporate other people’s ideas: by writing a paraphrase, or by using a direct quotation.

In general, paraphrasing means using your own words to express another person’s idea. When writers talk about using “a paraphrase,” they mean something a bit more specific: a paraphrase is a re-statement of another person’s idea, using your own words, and  in about the same length as the original. Note that successful paraphrasing is not the same thing as “patchwriting,” which happens when you  just change a couple of words or re-arrange a few words. You want to avoid patchwriting and use paraphrases instead, to preserve academic integrity and avoid plagiarism.

Quoting means using the exact words of another person in your work. When you use quotations, you must always use quotation marks (“….”) to show that these words belong to someone else.  When you write a paraphrase or use a quotation, you must include citations to stay honest with your academic work. After we practice paraphrasing and quoting, we will work on citations in the next chapter.

Paraphrases & Quotations

In general, it is preferable to use paraphrases rather than long quotations in a short academic essay. Using a paraphrase demonstrates that you understand the original author’s ideas thoroughly; using quotations can make it seem like you are just “dropping in” a quote that seems related into your paper. Sometimes, however, a quotation is preferable, as when the original author captures an idea so perfectly that their exact words are an important part of the message. Other times, it may be that the original quotation is full of discipline-specific jargon , and needs to be quoted as is. The next two sections will discuss both strategies so that you can choose which is better for your audience, purpose, and context.

Using Paraphrases

Paraphrasing well is very useful, but paraphrasing can be a difficult skill to master. It takes a great deal of practice to paraphrase academic material well, and even more practice to paraphrase well in a second language. You need to have excellent command of sentence structure and vocabulary in order to be an expert at paraphrasing. Working on this skill will help you to develop other language skills as well. The more you practice, the better you will be at paraphrasing. And remember: always include information about where you got the information you are paraphrasing in an in-text citation. That way, your readers can find the original author’s work to read, if they are interested in learning more.

Once you have found a piece of writing – perhaps a sentence or two – that you would like to paraphrase, what do you do? Allow yourself time to follow the steps below.

Steps for Paraphrasing Successfully

  • Read and annotate the original piece. Take notes on the author’s main ideas in your own words.
  • Put the original aside. Go for a walk, stretch, take a nap.
  • Re-read the original piece and look at your notes. Did you miss any main ideas?
  • Find a friend, or use your phone or computer to record yourself. Using your notes, talk about the author’s main ideas.
  • Write a first draft of a paraphrase. Your paraphrase should be about the same length as the original. If you get stuck, try using the paraphrasing strategies below. Think of this as an English-to-English translation of the author’s ideas.  Remember to include information about your source (title, author) so that you remember where you found the original work.
  • Re-read the original piece, and your paraphrase. Did you miss any main ideas? Did you remember to indicate whose original ideas these are (the in-text citation)? Remember to include only the author’s ideas here; do not add your own opinion or analysis.
  • Revise your paraphrase as necessary. Make sure it sounds like something YOU have written – not the original author.

In an essay, you will also need to connect your paraphrase to your own ideas, and explain why you are using the author’s ideas. Often, writers will start by paraphrasing another author’s work, and then writing a response to it to express their own opinions and ideas.

As you practice writing paraphrases, it might be helpful to use a bilingual dictionary, an English-to-English dictionary, a translator, and/or a thesaurus. Ask your instructors about their policies for using these resources.

Paraphrasing Strategies

  • use synonyms (unique -> uncommon)
  • use antonyms (unique -> not ordinary)
  • change word forms (unique individual -> individual’s uniqueness)
  • switch active voice to passive voice (They made mistakes. -> Mistakes were made.)
  • switch passive voice to active voice (Lunch was served. -> They served lunch.)
  • use different conjunctions (but -> however)
  • change sentence structure (simple to compound, compound to complex, compound to two simple sentences, etc.)

Note : You will want to use these strategies in combination to achieve the most successful paraphrases.

Activity ~ Paraphrasing Practice

Here is a brief passage from Sarah Boxer’s article in The Atlantic, “ An Artist for the Instagram Age ”:

“The fact that some folks have managed to make the scene while others get left out in the cold is integral to the excitement of participatory art. The thrill is akin to exotic travel, or getting to see Hamilton . Because not everyone who wants the experience actually gets the experience, these works, even if their intentions and messages are democratic, tend to become exclusive affairs.”

Which of the following is an appropriate paraphrase of this passage? (Focus on the paraphrases, not the incomplete in-text citation.) Why is that one better? Why is the other one less useful as a paraphrase? Discuss with your partner.

  • The truth that many people have been able to attend these events as others have been shut out of them is key to what makes this kind of art appealing. The excitement is similar to visiting foreign countries or attending a showing of a sold-out musical. Since some people who wish to attend can’t do so, these art forms, despite not necessarily wanting to, often end up denying access to many would-be attendees.
  • Boxer notes that this kind of art only maintains its appeal as long as there are more people clamoring to view it than can possibly actually view it. This reliance on scarcity means these artists are ultimately relying on elitist principles to find their success and remain in demand.

Using Quotations

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Portions of this chapter were paraphrased from, and the Paraphrasing Practice Activity was from “Paraphrasing,” from The Word on College Reading and Writing by Carol Burnell, Jaime Wood, Monique Babin, Susan Pesznecker, and Nicole Rosevear, which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

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Works Cited

Bock, Kevin et al. “unCaptcha: A Low-Resource Defeat of reCaptcha’s Audio Challenge.” Usenix Workshop of Offensive Technologies (WOOT) 17.   August 2017. Vancouver, BC. Conference Presentation.

King, Martin Luther, Jr. “I Have a Dream.” March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. 28 August 1963. Washington, D.C. Speech.

United States Constitution . Preamble.

specialized vocabulary of a particular field, which may not be familiar to a general audience

necessary; very important

very popular American musical theater show

not open to everyone

infrequently; not often

ENGLISH 087: Academic Advanced Writing Copyright © 2020 by Nancy Hutchison is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Paraphrasing Can Be a Powerful Writing Tool

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Paraphrasing is one tool writers use to avoid plagiarism. Along with direct quotations and summaries, its a fair use of another person's work which can be incorporated into your own writing. At times, you can make more impact by paraphrasing a quotation instead of quoting it verbatim.

What Is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is a restatement of a quotation using your own words. When you paraphrase, you restate the original author's ideas in your own words. It's important to differentiate paraphrasing from patchwriting; patchwriting is a form of plagiarism in which a writer directly quotes portions of a text (without attribution) and then fills in the gaps with their own words.

When Should You Paraphrase?

Quoting a source directly can be powerful, but sometimes paraphrasing is a better choice. Usually, paraphrasing makes more sense if:

  • the quotation is long and wordy
  • the quotation itself is poorly written
  • the quotation itself is technical or uses difficult-to-understand or obsolete language

An Effective Method of Paraphrasing a Quotation:

Before you begin paraphrasing, it's important to fully understand the quotation, its context, and any important cultural, political, or hidden meanings. Your job, as a paraphraser, is to accurately convey the author's meaning as well as any subtext.

  • Carefully read the original quotation and make sure to understand its central idea.
  • Note down anything that grabs your attention. If you feel that some element (word, phrase, thought) contributes to the central idea of the quotation, make a note of it.
  • If there are any words, ideas, or meanings that are unclear, look them up. For example, if you're paraphrasing the work of a person from a different culture or time, you may want to look up references to people, places, events, etc. that are not familiar to you.
  • Write a paraphrase in your own words. Meticulously avoid using the original words, phrases, and expression. At the same time, make sure that your words convey the same central idea.
  • If you need to use an interesting word or phrase from the original text, use quotation marks to indicate that it is not your own.
  • Cite the author, the source, and the date given in the text, to credit the owner of the quotation. Remember: Though the words of the paraphrase are your own, the thought behind it isn't. To not mention the author's name is plagiarism.

How does a Paraphrase Differ From a Summary?

To the untrained eye, a paraphrase and a summary may look alike. A paraphrase, however:

  • May restate just a single sentence, idea, or paragraph rather than an entire text;
  • May be shorter than or just as long as the original text;
  • May be used in the context of a wide range of written materials such as an essay, letter to the editor, article, or book;
  • describes the original text in different words without omitting details.

A summary, by contrast:

  • is an abridged version of the entire original text.
  • must be shorter than the original text.
  • always eliminates details, examples, and supporting points.
  • What Is Plagiarism?
  • Examples of Signal Phrases in Grammar and Composition
  • A Guide to Using Quotations in Essays
  • Definition and Examples of Quotation in English Grammar
  • Definition and Examples of Direct Quotations
  • What Is a Written Summary?
  • How to Use Indirect Quotations in Writing for Complete Clarity
  • Difference Between "Quote" and "Quotation": What Is the Right Word?
  • Quotation and Quote
  • How to Write a Critical Essay
  • How To Write an Essay
  • Guidelines for Using Quotation Marks Correctly
  • How to Use Shakespeare Quotes
  • How To Take Notes
  • What are Ellipsis Points?

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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.

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  • When to Use Quotation Marks (“”) | Rules & Examples

When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples

Published on May 21, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on November 29, 2022 by Jack Caulfield.

Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations.

In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source . This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews . The exception is when you use a block quote, which should be set off and indented without quotation marks.

Whenever you quote someone else’s words, use a signal phrase to introduce it and integrate the source into your own text. Don’t rely on quotations to make your point for you.

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Table of contents

Single vs. double quotation marks, quotes within quotes, punctuation following quotations, quotation marks for source titles, indirect quotation, scare quotes, frequently asked questions about quotation marks.

There are two types of quotation marks: ‘single’ and “double.” Which one to choose generally depends on whether you are using US or UK English . The US convention is to use double quotation marks, while the UK convention is usually to use single quotation marks.

Double quotation marks can also be acceptable in UK English, provided you are consistent throughout the text. APA Style requires double quotations.

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When your quotations are nested (i.e., a quote appears inside another quote), you should use the opposite style of quotation marks for the nested quotation.

US and UK English also differ on where to place punctuation within quotation marks.

  • In US English,  commas and periods that follow a quote are placed within the quotation marks.
  • In UK English, all punctuation marks are placed outside the quotation marks, except when they are part of the original quotation.

In all variants of English, a question mark appears inside the quotation marks when the person quoted was asking a question, but outside when it’s you asking the question.

  • Smith asks, “How long can this situation continue?”
  • How many participants reported their satisfaction as “high”?

Note that when you include a parenthetical citation after a quote, the punctuation mark always comes after the citation (except with block quotes ).

  • Solis described the situation as “precarious” (2022, p. 16).

Some source titles (e.g., the title of a journal article) should be presented in quotation marks in your text. Others are italicized instead (or occasionally written in plain text).

The rules for how to format different source titles are largely the same across citation styles, though some details differ. The key principles apply in all the main styles:

  • Use italics for sources that stand alone
  • Use quotation marks for sources that are part of another source

Some examples are shown below, with the proper formatting:

  • The Routledge Companion to Critical Theory [book]
  • “Poststructuralism” [book chapter]
  • Philosophy, Psychiatry & Psychology [journal]
  • “What Is Personality Disorder?” [journal article]
  • Friends [TV series]
  • “The One Where Rachel Quits” [TV episode]

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Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said without using exactly the same words they did.

It’s a lot like paraphrasing , except that you’re only changing the words you need to in order to fit the statement into your new sentence grammatically. For example, changing the pronouns or the verb tense .

Indirect quotation is more common in everyday speech, but it can occur in academic writing too. When it does, keep in mind that you should only use quotation marks around words taken directly from the original speaker or author.

  • One participant stated that “he found the exercises frustrating.”
  • One participant stated that he found the exercises frustrating.
  • One participant described the exercises as “frustrating.”

“Scare quotes” are quotation marks used around words that are not a direct quotation from a specific source. They are used to signal that a term is being used in an unusual or ironic way, that it is borrowed from someone else, or that the writer is skeptical about the term.

  • Many politicians have blamed recent electoral trends on the rise of “fake news.”

While scare quotes have their uses in academic writing (e.g., when referring to controversial terms), they should only be used with good reason. Inappropriate use of scare quotes creates ambiguity.

  • The institution organized a fundraiser in support of “underprivileged children.”
  • Scientists argue that “global warming” is accelerating due to greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The “Brexit” negotiations are still ongoing.

In these examples, the words within scare quotes are widely accepted terms with clear meanings that can’t be attributed to a specific person or source. Using quotation marks implies skepticism about the concepts in question.

The use of single and double quotation marks when quoting differs between US and UK English . In US English, you must use double quotation marks. Single quotation marks are used for quotes within quotes.

In UK English, it’s most common to use single quotation marks, with double quotation marks for quotes within quotes, although the other way around is acceptable too.

A quote is an exact copy of someone else’s words, usually enclosed in quotation marks and credited to the original author or speaker.

If you’re quoting from a text that paraphrases or summarizes other sources and cites them in parentheses , APA and Chicago both recommend retaining the citations as part of the quote. However, MLA recommends omitting citations within a quote:

  • APA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic (Jones, 2015; Sill, 2019; Paulson, 2020) shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).
  • MLA: Smith states that “the literature on this topic shows no clear consensus” (Smith, 2019, p. 4).

Footnote or endnote numbers that appear within quoted text should be omitted in all styles.

If you want to cite an indirect source (one you’ve only seen quoted in another source), either locate the original source or use the phrase “as cited in” in your citation.

Quotes within quotes are punctuated differently to distinguish them from the surrounding quote .

  • If you use double quotation marks for quotes, use single quotation marks for quotes within quotes.
  • If you use single quotation marks for quotes (e.g., in UK English ), use double quotation marks for quotes within quotes.

Make sure to close both sets of quotes!

Indirect quotation means reporting what someone said (or wrote) but not using their exact words. It’s similar to paraphrasing , but it only involves changing enough words to fit the statement into your sentence grammatically (e.g., changing the tense or the pronouns ).

Since some of the words have changed, indirect quotations are not enclosed in quotation marks .

Sources in this article

We strongly encourage students to use sources in their work. You can cite our article (APA Style) or take a deep dive into the articles below.

McCombes, S. (2022, November 29). When to Use Quotation Marks ("") | Rules & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved February 15, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/language-rules/quotation-marks/
Butterfield, J. (Ed.). (2015).  Fowler’s dictionary of modern English usage  (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Garner, B. A. (2016).  Garner’s modern English usage (4th ed.). Oxford University Press.

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Do Paraphrases Need Quotation Marks?

When writing, it’s common to integrate the thoughts and ideas of other authors. But how do we properly represent these ideas? Do we always need quotation marks? Especially when it comes to paraphrasing, the rules can seem a bit blurry.

No , paraphrases do not require quotation marks. But let’s delve deeper into why.

Quoting vs. Paraphrasing

Quoting means directly using someone else’s words, which necessitates enclosing the words in quotation marks. On the other hand, paraphrasing is about representing someone else’s ideas in your unique style and words. Even though quotation marks aren’t needed, citations are essential to attribute the original source.

When to Use Quotation Marks

  • If more than four words are used in the exact order as the original, it’s considered a quote and needs quotation marks.
  • Quotations must be exact. Minor modifications can be made using brackets, but the meaning should remain unaltered.
  • For longer quotations, a block format without quotation marks is preferable.

Guidelines for Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is a skill that requires a deep understanding of the original text. Here are some points to remember:

  • No Quotation Marks Needed : Since paraphrasing involves writing in your own words, you do not enclose paraphrases in quotation marks.
  • Limited Use of Original Words : When paraphrasing, you may use the source’s words as long as you do not use more than two consecutive words from any part of the original text.
  • Avoiding Replication of Style and Order : It’s crucial to avoid copying the style, order of presentation, and specific wording of the source. This means you need to reinterpret the information and present it in a new way, not just change a few words here and there.
  • Different Thought Expression is Acceptable : When paraphrasing, it’s understood that the reworded idea might slightly differ from the original. This is acceptable as long as the fundamental concept remains intact and is accurately represented.
  • Citations Still Required : Even when paraphrasing, it’s necessary to cite the source. This acknowledges the original ideas while showcasing your understanding and interpretation of the material.
  • Learning and Understanding : Paraphrasing is a skill that demonstrates comprehension. It requires understanding the original text to reinterpret and express its ideas differently. Simply copying text does not show your grasp of the material, whereas a well-constructed paraphrase does.
  • Inadequate Paraphrases and Plagiarism : An inadequate paraphrase, which closely resembles the original text, can be seen as a form of plagiarism, even if unintentional. It’s important to put in the effort to create a distinct and separate expression of the ideas.

Common Misunderstandings

Many believe that simply changing a few words from the original text is sufficient. This is a misconception. Paraphrasing means rewriting the content entirely in one’s own words and style. Also, some students think they only need to cite if they quote directly. This is not true. Even when paraphrasing, the original source must be acknowledged.

Ensuring Authenticity

It’s crucial to strike a balance between presenting another’s ideas and maintaining authenticity in your writing. Whether you’re quoting or paraphrasing, the objective is to present information accurately and give due credit.

In the realm of academic and professional writing, understanding the difference between quoting and paraphrasing is essential. While paraphrases don’t require quotation marks, they do necessitate proper citations to avoid plagiarism. By mastering this distinction, one ensures integrity and authenticity in their work. Enhance your paraphrasing skills further with our comprehensive guide, a perfect companion to this article.

1. Should quotation marks be used for direct quotes or paraphrases?

Quoting involves using the exact wording used by the original author(s) in their work; this is indicated by quotation marks. The term direct quote is often used to distinguish a quote from a paraphrase. You use single ‘…’ or double “…” quotation marks depending on the style of referencing you are following.

2. Why should you quote instead of paraphrase?

Choose a direct quote when it is more likely to be accurate than would summarizing or paraphrasing; when what you’re quoting is the text you’re analyzing; when a direct quote is more concise that a summary or paraphrase would be and conciseness matters; when the author is a particular authority whose exact words would carry more weight.

3. Should paraphrasing and quoting be avoided?

Accidental plagiarism is the result of improperly paraphrasing, summarizing, quoting, or citing your evidence in your academic writing. Generally, writers accidentally plagiarize because they simply don’t know or they fail to follow the rules for giving credit to the ideas of others in their writing. Proper quoting and paraphrasing are essential, but one must ensure correct citations are in place.

4. Can you paraphrase and quote in the same sentence?

Yes, if using a mixture of a paraphrase and a direct quote, be sure to a) use direct quotes around the part of the sentence that is quoted and b) add a citation at the end of the mixed quote-paraphrase.

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Do You Need Quotation Marks When Paraphrasing?

Do you need quotation marks when paraphrasing? Here, we’ll explore exactly how to handle paraphrasing in academic work. 

There’s no need to use quotation marks when paraphrasing another author’s work, but you must make sure that you attribute ideas taken from someone else to the appropriate source. Generally, if you’re using someone else’s work and putting it into your own words, you must let your reader know that the idea is not original.

There are several ways to do this, and you’ll need to consider any requirements set forth by your publisher or professor as well as what fits the general style of your writing. It can be tough to figure out if you’re paraphrasing or not, and it can be helpful to get the opinion of another writer when you’re not sure whether it’s appropriate to attribute your idea to someone else.

For example, if you’re reading someone else’s work and putting it into your own words for your paper, an in-text citation is appropriate. On the other hand, if you’re remembering something you read once upon a time that has become a part of your thought process while writing, it may not be necessary to track down the source of the idea for attribution. 

Here, we’ll look at precisely what paraphrasing is, how to cite a paraphrased idea, and how to avoid common mistakes made when paraphrasing the work of others. 

We tested dozens of grammar checkers, and Grammarly is the best tool on the market today. It'll help you write and edit your work much faster. Grammarly provides a powerful AI writing assistant and plagiarism checker.

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How To Know When You’re Paraphrasing

Citing when paraphrasing, common paraphrasing mistakes.

Do you need quotation marks when paraphrasing?

It can be tough to figure out your idea and what comes from the research you’ve read, especially when you’ve spent weeks honing a paper to perfection. If you’re reading a study, thinking about the work, and immediately placing the work into your paper, there’s a good chance you’re paraphrasing the author’s thoughts. However, if you’re using the information to conclude on your own, that’s different from paraphrasing . 

Simply using your own words doesn’t constitute an original idea. Nevertheless, paraphrasing can be an intelligent way to show your professor or audience that you understand the research and can help you break down complex scientific or theoretical concepts in a way that makes sense to your target audience. But, of course, explaining an idea in more simplistic terms does not change the fact that the author still created the idea initially, meaning a citation is necessary. 

Our paraphrasing vs. summarizing guide might be helpful.

You don’t need to use quotation marks when paraphrasing, but you must attribute ideas to their source correctly. Follow the MLA or APA format for in-text citations when paraphrasing, but forgo the quotation marks that typically come before an in-text citation. 

For example: 

  • She found that subjects who underwent medical detox before entering a residential treatment facility were likelier to attend AA and NA meetings following rehab (Berkey, 2010). 
  • Since you’re stating an idea (not a quote), there’s no need to add page numbers to your in-text citation. 

You mustn’t try to pass it off as your own when you’re using someone else’s idea. We get it–it’s a pain to go through the process of writing in-text citations, and it can be exhausting to go back and figure out what needs to be cited after you’re done writing. So do yourself a favor: as you write, err on caution and attribute anything that could be considered paraphrasing to the appropriate source. 

When you cite an idea that you’ve paraphrased, it’s essential that you also include the resource on your works cited page, even if you didn’t directly quote the resource. This allows your reader to learn more information on the topic if necessary. Sometimes, the original author says the idea best. It’s ok to use some quotes in a research paper, as long as quotes don’t make up the bulk of your paper.

You don’t need to spend hours figuring out how to re-phrase someone else’s research or conclusions if they’ve already said it well. When appropriate, include a quote, give your thoughts on how the quote relates to your topic, and move forward.

Interested in learning more? Check out our guide on Grammarly paraphrasing tools !

paraphrasing with quotation marks

Amanda has an M.S.Ed degree from the University of Pennsylvania in School and Mental Health Counseling and is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has experience writing magazine articles, newspaper articles, SEO-friendly web copy, and blog posts.

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Paraphrasing & Quoting: A Brief Guide

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Good academic writing is an art form. Anyone can quote from a source. The skill comes in choosing the best part of a source to quote, or even better, paraphrase.  

To paraphrase  (v.): to summarize the words and/or thoughts of another person (usually an author) in your own words and syntax (sentence structure). Paraphrasing allows you to reference the words or ideas of another person while best incorporating that material into your own argument and writing style. Paraphrased material, often called a paraphrased passage, must be cited.  

Important Note: It is acceptable to use a few words of the original source, so long as you use “quotation marks” around those words. 

Plagiarism is usually the intentional act of taking another person’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Clearly, copying anther student’s words without attribution is plagiarism and cheating. However, less obvious cases are the improper paraphrasing of a passage, where you provide an in-text citation to an author but still use the author’s original words without “quotation marks.” Paraphrasing is an essential component of writing, but it takes a little practice to do it well. 

Quotation  (n.): The original words of a source (usually written) identified by “quotation marks” or used as a block indent. Quoted material must be cited. 

To Plagiarize  (v.): To use the words or ideas of another author either without proper attribution or by improperly paraphrasing the author. Plagiarism may be committed either intentionally or unintentionally. Plagiarism is, in effect, theft. Avoid plagiarism by using “quotation marks” around quoted text and by using in-text citation for both quoted and paraphrased passages. Paraphrased passages must not include the author’s original language and syntax unless “quotation marks” are clearly used to indicate the author’s original words. 

Context  (n.): The original meaning of the text or idea you are quoting or paraphrasing. 

Tips to Avoid Plagiarism when Paraphrasing

  • Do not use the author’s original sentence structure (syntax). You must use your own words and syntax. Just putting an in-text citation is not enough—you are responsible for actually paraphrasing the author’s ideas, not just making a few changes to the original words. Taking an author's original text and changing a few words is known as patchwriting . See "Examples of Plagiarism" for more information about patchwriting ("right-click plagiarism").
  • Do not use synonyms that you do now know. The “right click” thesaurus is meant to jog your memory and give you ideas. Do not misuse this function by changing the author’s word to a synonym you do not know. Also, do not use this function to just change a few words without using your own sentence structure. 
  • Re-read the original before moving on. Make sure that you are not using the author’s original words and/or phrases. If you do, put them in “quotation marks.” 
  • Do not forget to add an in-text citation.  
  • Choose the most relevant material to paraphrase or quote in your paper. All scholarly works rely on other authors and ideas to advance their own ideas and research. There is no such thing as an academic book or article that is wholly the work and ideas of a single person. The author of any reputable book, even a philosophical one, will educate herself on the works of others and occasionally or often reference them when making her own arguments. 
  • When you find that you need to reference another author or person, decide whether to quote or paraphrase. On the surface, quoting seems easier. In reality, paraphrasing is usually the best method, although you can include a few words or passages of the author’s original words in “quotation marks” when you paraphrase.  
  • Any reference to an external idea must be explained by you, the author. A reference to another author or idea never stands on its own. You must make it clear to the reader why you selected a particular idea to reference.  
  • Likewise, a quotation never stands on its own. You must explain why you chose to include the quotation.  
  • Avoid long quotations, even those that are more than one sentence. These longer passages are tiresome to read, and often readers will glance over them without actually reading them. A much better approach for long quotations is to paraphrase the material instead. Note: long quotations are most appropriate when the source you are quoting uses a particular style you wish to discuss and demonstrate to your reader. 
  • Avoid quoting an author who is quoting someone else. As a rule of thumb, if an author is quoting another published work, go and find that original published work and quote from it directly (you might mention that you found the work of author B from the work of author A). You need to verify the original context if you quote from someone else. However, in the case of an eyewitness report or interview, for example, it may make sense to quote an author’s quotation when the original source is not available. 

To avoid plagiarism when paraphrasing you must put the author's original ideas into your own words.

Avoid plagiarism by not using the author's original words or sentence structure:

Do not use any distinctive words from the author's original. The nouns, adjectives, and verbs in your paraphrased passage must be your own words, not words lifted from the author's original. You can use a few words or the odd phrase from the original source only if you include them in quotation marks.

Articles--a, an, the--and other similar words like prepositions--to, for, at, etc.--are not distinctive enough to qualify as original wording. Similarly, general terms and any word that is not a stylistic choice of the original author would not be considered distinctive. Just beware of the order in which they appear in the original. In general, it is better to quote, when in doubt, than not to quote. (See the second example, below, for a discussion on general terms that do not need quotation marks within a paraphrased passage.)

Do not use the author's original sentence structure, that is, the original syntax. Students who copy-and-paste a passage and then only change some of the words are committing plagiarism because the author's original sentence structure is intact. When paraphrasing, focus on synthesizing information. You cannot synthesize from a cut-and-pasted passage!

Avoid paraphrasing one sentence at a time. The point of paraphrasing is to summarize the original source. It is better to read the introduction to an article, for example, and to summarize that information into a sentence or two of your own words. If you need to paraphrase a three sentence paragraph, for example, aim for one, maybe two sentences in your paraphrased version. Trying to summarize one sentence at a time is likely to result in the plagiarism method known as patchwriting. That is, your text will resemble the original text too closely. 

See the examples below demonstrating good paraphrasing technique. See the tab (left-side menu) "Examples of Plagiarism" for instances of plagiarism in a paraphrased passage.

This example refers to the following citation:

Bibliographic Citation (MLA) 

Wu, Katherine J. “Scientists Uncover Biological Signatures of the Worst Covid-19 Cases: Studies of patients with severe cases of Covid-19 show the immune system lacks its usual coordinated response.” New York Times, 4 Aug. 2020. 

Original Passage:

Unable to marshal the right cells and molecules to fight off the invader, the bodies of the infected instead launch an entire arsenal of weapons — a misguided barrage that can wreak havoc on healthy tissues, experts said. 

Thoughts:  In this passage, the author uses some distinctive turns of phrase to describe the effects of Covid-19 on the human body. To paraphrase this passage, as you probably should, be careful not to plagiarize the author’s original language. See the examples below of a quotation from this passage and possible options to paraphrase it.  

1. Student Example as a Quotation 

Katherine Wu summarizes the findings of scientists on the response of the human body to Covid-19, writing “Unable to marshal the right cells and molecules to fight off the invader, the bodies of the infected instead launch an entire arsenal of weapons — a misguided barrage that can wreak havoc on healthy tissues, experts said” (Wu). 

Thoughts: The above sentence takes the words of the author directly. This approach unnecessarily reproduces all of the original text. It does, however, provide an explanation of the source before the quotation. This explanation, whether before or after the quotation, is absolutely necessary. 

2. Student Example as a Paraphrased Passage (no quoted material) 

Katherine Wu summarizes the findings of scientists on the response of the human body to Covid-19, noting that the immune system response can essentially overreact to the threat posed by the virus, causing additional harm (Wu). 

Thoughts:  This response is completely acceptable. It summarizes the original text in the author’s own words. Possibly, you, the author, are drawn to this passage because of Wu’s descriptive terminology. In that case, perhaps using a few of her descriptions would be more appropriate. See the next example. 

3. Student Example as a Paraphrased Passage with Quoted Material 

Katherine Wu summarizes the findings of scientists on the response of the human body to Covid-19, noting that the immune system response can essentially overreact to the threat posed by the virus, which she labels a “misguided barrage” (Wu). 

—Or— 

Katherine Wu summarizes the findings of scientists on the response of the human body to Covid-19, describing the immune response in military terms as the “launch” of “an entire arsenal of weapons,” which she labels a “misguided barrage” because of the additional harm inflicted by the body onto itself (Wu). 

Thoughts:  Artfully paraphrasing does not necessarily involve using the author’s original words. Combining the techniques of quoting with paraphrasing is appropriate in the above example, however, because of the descriptive nature of the original text. If the original author’s words were merely clinical, it would possibly be less appropriate to quote them directly.  

Original Passage: 

It’s almost as if the immune system is struggling to ‘pick a lane,’ Dr. Wherry said. This disorientation also seems to extend into the realm of B cells and T cells — two types of immune fighters that usually need to stay in conversation to coordinate their attacks. Certain types of T cells, for instance, are crucial for coaxing B cells into manufacturing disease-fighting antibodies. 

*Note: the author is paraphrasing while also briefly quoting a source in this example, which is represented by the single quotation marks. 

Possible Student Example as a Paraphrased Passage 

Evidence suggests that Covid-19 creates difficulty in the immune system’s response and complicates the function of B cells and T cells in fighting the virus. In particular, the virus interrupts the normal function of T cells, negatively impacting the ability of B cells to produce antibodies (Wu). 

Thoughts: This example is a bit more difficult than the first. Here, the student has not used any quoted material. Note, though, that she has included clinical terms like “T cells,” “B cells,” and “antibodies” that appear in the original. Should she have used quotation marks?—the answer is no. These are terms, not stylistic elements of the author’s original. There is no need to quote them (although, it is usually a lesser error to overquote than underquote!). It would have been plagiarism, for example, if the student used words like “manufacturing,” “disorientation,” “conversation,” etc. without “quotation marks.” Calling the relationship between T cells and B cells a “conversation” is a stylistic choice of the author, not a scientific term.  

Another Possible Student Example, Paraphrasing with Some Quoted Material  

Evidence suggests that Covid-19 creates a “disorientation” in the immune system’s response and complicates the ability of B cells and T cells “to coordinate” together to fight the virus. In particular, the virus interrupts the normal function of T cells, negatively impacting the ability of B cells to produce antibodies (Wu). 

Thoughts:  Here the student decided to retain some of the author’s original stylistic content, meaning that she had to include “quotation marks” around the words she lifted from the author’s original. Overall, both of these examples demonstrate the student’s ability to transform the original passage into her own syntax (sentence structure). The next examples will demonstrate the serious error of plagiarizing the author’s original syntax. 

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  • How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

Published on 8 April 2022 by Courtney Gahan and Jack Caulfield. Revised on 15 May 2023.

Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing a source involves changing the wording while preserving the original meaning.

Paraphrasing is an alternative to  quoting (copying someone’s exact words and putting them in quotation marks ). In academic writing, it’s usually better to paraphrase instead of quoting. It shows that you have understood the source, reads more smoothly, and keeps your own voice front and center.

Every time you paraphrase, it’s important to cite the source . Also take care not to use wording that is too similar to the original. Otherwise, you could be at risk of committing plagiarism .

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Table of contents

How to paraphrase in five easy steps, how to paraphrase correctly, examples of paraphrasing, how to cite a paraphrase, paraphrasing vs quoting, paraphrasing vs summarising, avoiding plagiarism when you paraphrase, frequently asked questions about paraphrasing.

If you’re struggling to get to grips with the process of paraphrasing, check out our easy step-by-step guide in the video below.

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Putting an idea into your own words can be easier said than done. Let’s say you want to paraphrase the text below, about population decline in a particular species of sea snails.

Incorrect paraphrasing

You might make a first attempt to paraphrase it by swapping out a few words for  synonyms .

Like other sea creatures inhabiting the vicinity of highly populated coasts, horse conchs have lost substantial territory to advancement and contamination , including preferred breeding grounds along mud flats and seagrass beds. Their Gulf home is also heating up due to global warming , which scientists think further puts pressure on the creatures , predicated upon the harmful effects extra warmth has on other large mollusks (Barnett, 2022).

This attempt at paraphrasing doesn’t change the sentence structure or order of information, only some of the word choices. And the synonyms chosen are poor:

  • ‘Advancement and contamination’ doesn’t really convey the same meaning as ‘development and pollution’.
  • Sometimes the changes make the tone less academic: ‘home’ for ‘habitat’ and ‘sea creatures’ for ‘marine animals’.
  • Adding phrases like ‘inhabiting the vicinity of’ and ‘puts pressure on’ makes the text needlessly long-winded.
  • Global warming is related to climate change, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.

Because of this, the text reads awkwardly, is longer than it needs to be, and remains too close to the original phrasing. This means you risk being accused of plagiarism .

Correct paraphrasing

Let’s look at a more effective way of paraphrasing the same text.

Here, we’ve:

  • Only included the information that’s relevant to our argument (note that the paraphrase is shorter than the original)
  • Retained key terms like ‘development and pollution’, since changing them could alter the meaning
  • Structured sentences in our own way instead of copying the structure of the original
  • Started from a different point, presenting information in a different order

Because of this, we’re able to clearly convey the relevant information from the source without sticking too close to the original phrasing.

Explore the tabs below to see examples of paraphrasing in action.

  • Journal article
  • Newspaper article
  • Magazine article

Once you have your perfectly paraphrased text, you need to ensure you credit the original author. You’ll always paraphrase sources in the same way, but you’ll have to use a different type of in-text citation depending on what citation style you follow.

Generate accurate citations with Scribbr

It’s a good idea to paraphrase instead of quoting in most cases because:

  • Paraphrasing shows that you fully understand the meaning of a text
  • Your own voice remains dominant throughout your paper
  • Quotes reduce the readability of your text

But that doesn’t mean you should never quote. Quotes are appropriate when:

  • Giving a precise definition
  • Saying something about the author’s language or style (e.g., in a literary analysis paper)
  • Providing evidence in support of an argument
  • Critiquing or analysing a specific claim

A paraphrase puts a specific passage into your own words. It’s typically a similar length to the original text, or slightly shorter.

When you boil a longer piece of writing down to the key points, so that the result is a lot shorter than the original, this is called summarising .

Paraphrasing and quoting are important tools for presenting specific information from sources. But if the information you want to include is more general (e.g., the overarching argument of a whole article), summarising is more appropriate.

When paraphrasing, you have to be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism .

Students frequently use paraphrasing tools , which can be especially helpful for non-native speakers who might have trouble with academic writing. While these can be useful for a little extra inspiration, use them sparingly while maintaining academic integrity.

This can happen if the paraphrase is too similar to the original quote, with phrases or whole sentences that are identical (and should therefore be in quotation marks). It can also happen if you fail to properly cite the source.

To make sure you’ve properly paraphrased and cited all your sources, you could elect to run a plagiarism check before submitting your paper.

To paraphrase effectively, don’t just take the original sentence and swap out some of the words for synonyms. Instead, try:

  • Reformulating the sentence (e.g., change active to passive , or start from a different point)
  • Combining information from multiple sentences into one
  • Leaving out information from the original that isn’t relevant to your point
  • Using synonyms where they don’t distort the meaning

The main point is to ensure you don’t just copy the structure of the original text, but instead reformulate the idea in your own words.

Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.

However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly reference the source . This means including an in-text referencing and a full reference , formatted according to your required citation style (e.g., Harvard , Vancouver ).

As well as referencing your source, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.

Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words.

So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?

  • Paraphrasing is plagiarism if you don’t properly credit the original author.
  • Paraphrasing is plagiarism if your text is too close to the original wording (even if you cite the source). If you directly copy a sentence or phrase, you should quote it instead.
  • Paraphrasing  is not plagiarism if you put the author’s ideas completely into your own words and properly reference the source .

To present information from other sources in academic writing , it’s best to paraphrase in most cases. This shows that you’ve understood the ideas you’re discussing and incorporates them into your text smoothly.

It’s appropriate to quote when:

  • Changing the phrasing would distort the meaning of the original text
  • You want to discuss the author’s language choices (e.g., in literary analysis )
  • You’re presenting a precise definition
  • You’re looking in depth at a specific claim

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Gahan, C. & Caulfield, J. (2023, May 15). How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 12 February 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/paraphrasing/

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Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

Quoting means using exact words taken from another author/source. 

Paraphrasing means restating ideas from an outside source in precise detail , using your own words .

Summarizing means restating major ideas or conclusions from an outside source as concisely as possible in your own words .

Guidelines for Quoting Sources

Quoting a source means taking exact words from that source and using them in your own writing . 

Any time you quote another author, you need to format the quote in a way that makes it absolutely clear where the words taken from your source begin and end. This is usually accomplished by putting quotation marks around the other author’s words, as in this example:

The opening words of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, “Four score and seven years ago,” are so famous that Google Docs is programmed to autofill them as soon as one types the phrase “four score.”

It’s essential to use quotation marks any time you include words from an author in your own writing, even if the quotation is just a word or two long. There’s only one significant exception to this rule: with longer quotations, it’s sometimes appropriate to set the author’s words off in a block quote. For example:

In the opening of the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln places the end of the Civil War into the broader context of American History,

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

Some documentation systems still require writers to use quotation marks for block quotes, but others, such as MLA Style, do not require this.

Most formal documentation systems require writers to include some kind of indicator at the end of each quotation, usually a parenthetical note or a footnote, that tells readers exactly where those words came from. We haven’t included such an indicator in the examples above because the source is clearly identified before the quote, and we consulted an online version of the Gettysburg Address, so there are no page numbers to cite. In such situations, MLA Style does not require a parenthetical note, but this might change in a formal class setting, depending on your instructor’s preferences and the documentation system they wish you to use.

Guidelines for Paraphrasing Sources

Paraphrasing a source means restating ideas from that source fully, in precise detail, using your own words . Paraphrasing is useful when you want to explore or engage the content of your source at length, but for some reason the original language would be difficult for your readers to understand. This might happen, for example, if your source includes a great deal of discipline-specific terminology and you’re writing to a general audience, or if the grammar of the original makes it difficult to integrate the author’s words coherently into your writing.

As with quotations, it’s important to let your readers know exactly when you begin and end a paraphrase. This can usually be accomplished by including a clear transition at the beginning of the paraphrase and a parenthetical note at the end. (See Example 2a below)

A good paraphrase will usually take roughly the same number of words as the original author did to express the same points. However, since a paraphrase is technically your writing, you cannot use words or phrases that come directly from your source. Thus, to write a paraphrase, you need to find a way to capture the complete meaning of your original source, using exclusively your own words.  

There are only two significant exceptions to this rule, and both relate to the use of terminology: 

Exception 1: When, in the passage you’re paraphrasing, an author uses specific terminology that is common and easily recognizable to your readers , and rephrasing it would alter the meaning of a passage (e.g. referring to a correlation as “statistically significant”), then it’s generally acceptable to use the author’s terminology in your paraphrase without placing it in quotation marks.

Exception 2: When, in the passage you’re paraphrasing, an author uses specific terminology of their own invention that it’s important for your readers to know or that it would be difficult to paraphrase without using, you can use the original author’s term in your paraphrase. Depending on the citation system you’re using and the preferences of your instructor, you may or may not need to put quotation marks around these terms the first time you use them. Either way, though, it should be absolutely clear from the context of your writing when you introduce a term from another author’s writing. (See Example 2b below)

Guidelines for Summarizing Sources

Summarizing means concisely restating the major ideas from a source in your own words . A good summary will convey the ideas from the source in as few words as possible without distorting those ideas or leaving out crucial information from the original context. Summaries are useful when you want to introduce substantial ideas or conclusions from another author into your own writing, but you don’t intend to engage those ideas or conclusions in depth.

Summaries generally present less of a challenge for writers than paraphrases, because they do not require you to restate the details and nuances of the original author’s ideas. However, writing summaries does create a certain amount of responsibility, as you’ll need to decide which ideas from your source should be included in your summary and which ideas can be left out. To be effective, a summary needs to present the source’s ideas in a way that serves the piece you are writing. To be ethical , though, a summary also needs to present these ideas without distorting or altering the original’s author’s meaning or leaving out essential pieces of context. 

Once again, it’s essential for a writer to indicate when a summary begins and ends, as well as to clearly identify the source being summarized. The methods for this are the same as with a paraphrase: include a clear transition at the beginning of the summary and either a notation or another clear transition at the end. (See Example 3a below.)

The rules for using terminology in a summary are the same as with a paraphrase: Whenever possible, a summary should be written entirely with your own words. However, if an author uses common terminology that is integral to the ideas you’re summarizing and that you anticipate your readers will be familiar with, it’s okay to use those terms in your summary without quotation marks . Conversely, when an author uses terms of their own invention that are integral to the ideas you’re summarizing, then you may use those terms as well, as long as you clearly indicate with your language (and, if your instructor requires it, with quotation marks) which terms come directly from your author.  

Examples and Common Mistakes

Quotation examples.

Note: We’ve alternated between MLA and APA styles in the examples below because these are two of the most common documentation systems used in academic writing and also the easiest to reproduce on a webpage.  They are far from the only systems, though, so make sure to follow the rules for the citation system assigned by your instructor for a given assignment.

Original Text:

“As efforts are focused on curbing the spread of COVID-19, essential services such as access to sexual and reproductive health services have been disrupted. According to preliminary data, in Zimbabwe, the number of caesarean sections performed decreased by 42% between January and April 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. The number of live births in health facilities fell by 21%, while new clients on combined birth control pills dropped by 90%. In Burundi, initial statistics show that births with skilled attendants fell to 4749 in April 2020 from 30, 826 in April 2019.” From the article “ WHO Concerned Over COVID-19 Impact on Women, Girls in Africa ,” published by the World Health Organization on June 18, 2020.

Example 1a: Appropriate Quotation (MLA Style)

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected reproductive health care in parts of Africa. For example, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “in Zimbabwe, the number of caesarean sections performed decreased by 42% between January and April 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. The number of live births in health facilities fell by 21%, while new clients on combined birth control pills dropped by 90%.”

In the paragraph above, the author clearly indicates when their ideas end and the quote begins. Note that, since they identify the source of the quote beforehand and this is an online source with no page numbers, MLA style does not require any kind of parenthetical note at the end of the quotation.

Example 1b: Appropriate Quotation (APA Style)

In Africa, the COVID-19 pandemic made it more difficult for many women to access basic medical care. The World Health Organization noted on their website in June of 2020, “As efforts are focused on curbing the spread of COVID, essential services such as access to sexual and reproductive health services have been disrupted” (WHO, 2020).

Once again, the author clearly indicates where their words and and the words from their source begin. Since they’re using APA style, they also include a parenthetical note at the end, indicating the author of their source and the year it was published.

Example 1c: Inappropriate Quotation (Distorts Original Meaning)

In June of 2020, the World Health Organization called the world’s attention to a crisis in Africa, arguing that, “essential services… have been disrupted.”

In the quotation above, the author uses a handful of words taken out of context to imply conclusions that are not in the original article. The WHO article never calls the health care situation in Africa a “crisis” or anything similar, but the author’s introduction to the quote suggests that it does. Furthermore, the article focuses exclusively on services related to reproductive health care, but the author has deliberately cut out any words indicating this, which makes it appear that all essential services have been disrupted. This may or may not be true, but either way it’s not a conclusion this article supports.

Example 1d: Inappropriate Quotation (Text Not Fully in Quotation Marks)

In June of 2020, the World Health Organization reported that access to sexual and reproductive health services had been disrupted in parts of Africa. “According to preliminary data, in Zimbabwe, the number of caesarean sections performed decreased by 42% between January and April 2020 compared with the same period in 2019” (WHO, 2020).

In the quotation above the author uses language directly from the original article (“access to sexual and reproductive health services have been disrupted”) without putting these words in quotation marks. This means that the author has not fully documented the WHO article’s contribution to their essay.

Example 1e: Inappropriate Quotation (Source Not Clearly Identified)

In June of 2020, it was reported that “access to sexual and reproductive health services have been disrupted” in parts of Africa.

In this case, the author puts all words from the original in quotation marks, but does not clearly identify the source. Readers therefore know that these words come from another author, but do not know who the author is (no pun intended).

Paraphrase Examples

Original Text: 

From “ A Modest Proposal… ” by Jonathan Swift (1729), reprinted by Project Gutenberg

“It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads, and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers, instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.” From “ A Modest Proposal… ” by Jonathan Swift (1729), reprinted by Project Gutenberg

Example 2a: Appropriate Paraphrase (MLA Format)

In the first paragraph of his satirical essay, “A Modest Proposal…,” Jonathan Swift seems to affirm the sensibilities of his upper-class London readers: Swift’s narrator notes how sad it is for people to walk through London or journey through rural areas to see women who are surrounded by multiple children and begging every passerby for money. The narrator goes on to lament that these women are forced to spend their time begging, rather than getting more respectable employment, in order to feed their children. The narrator speculates that this same lack of jobs will affect the children as they get older, forcing them to become thieves or to leave England all together, possibly joining the rebel forces of King James or emigrating to the Americas. By engaging his readers on their own terms in this way, Swift accomplishes several things…

In this example, the author clearly identifies the source they’ll be paraphrasing in the opening clause, and they use a colon to indicate exactly where the paraphrase begins. The paraphrase itself rephrases Swift’s opening paragraph in close detail, using almost as many words as the original passage. However, by expressing Swift’s ideas in more modern language, the reader makes the passage more accessible to readers who might have trouble understanding Swift’s dense eighteenth-century writing style.

Once again, note that since the author identifies their source fully before the paraphrase, and the text they’re using is an online version with no page numbers, MLA Style does not require any kind of parenthetical note at the end of the paraphrase. However, the author’s transitional phrase (“By engaging his readers on their own terms…”) serves as a clear signal that the paraphrase is over and the author has moved on to their own analysis of Swift’s writing.

Example 2b: Appropriate Paraphrase (APA Style)

Swift opens his satirical essay, “A Modest Proposal…” by seeming to affirm the sensibilities of his upper-class London readers: Swift’s narrator notes how sad it is for people to walk through London or journey through rural areas to see “beggars of the female sex” who are surrounded by multiple children and begging every passesby for money. The narrator goes on to lament that these women are forced to spend their time begging, rather than pursuing an “honest livelihood,” to feed their children. The narrator speculates that this same lack of jobs will affect the children as they get older, forcing them to become thieves or to leave England all together, possibly joining the rebel forces of King James or or emigrating to the Americas (Swift, 1729).

This paraphrase is almost identical to Example 2a, but in this case the author has used a few of Swift’s own phrases in their paraphrase, using quotation marks to indicate which words come straight from the original source. This gives modern readers some sense of Swift’s distinct writing style and the way he engages the sensibilities of the readers in his time, while still making the passage accessible to modern readers. Also, note that in this case, the author has used an APA Style parenthetical note to indicate where the paraphrase ends.

Example 2c: Inappropriate Paraphrase (Mosaic Plagiarism)

At the beginning of “A Modest Proposal,” Jonathan Swift’s narrator describes the melancholy sight of seeing women begging throughout London and the surrounding countryside, sometimes surrounded by three, four, or six children, all in rags. The narrator goes on to say that these women are begging because widespread poverty has deprived them of an honest livelihood, and that their children will most likely grow up to be thieves or be forced to leave England forever (Swift, 1729).

This paraphrase suffers from “mosaic plagiarism,” which is when an author mixes their own words with occasional words or phrases from an outside source and offers no clear indication of this. In this case, the author uses some individual words (“melancholy”) and some longer phrases (“three, four, or six children, all in rags”) from Swift’s passage, but doesn’t place this borrowed language in quotation marks. The opening phrase and the citation at the end at least make it clear that the author is paraphrasing, but the lack of quotation marks still mean that the author has used Swift’s language in place of their own without giving Swift proper credit.

Example 2d: Inappropriate Paraphrase (Unclear Transitions)

At first, Swift panders to his readers in “A Modest Proposal…”. He suggests that it’s a sad experience to walk through London or the English countryside and see women begging, surrounded by children. All this begging must be the result of systemic property, because these women can’t get a reputable job and have no choice but to beg. Perhaps their children will grow up to be thieves, rebels, or emigrants. Surely a solution must be found, one that can remove all these poor people from upper-class eyes and make them useful members of society.

In this paraphrase, it’s difficult to tell when the author is paraphrasing ideas directly from Swift and when they’re commenting on Swift’s ideas or mixing them with their own. So, for instance, if you didn’t have access to Swift’s text you might wonder if Swift speculated that children of poor people might become “thieves, rebels, or emigrants,” or if that’s the essay author’s speculation. Conversely, you might assume that Swift suggests that something needs to be done to “remove all these poor people from upper-class eyes” in his opening paragraph, when in fact that’s not part of the original passage.

Summary Examples

The article “Your coping and resilience strategies might need to shift as the COVID-19 crisis continues” by Craig Polizzi and Steven Jay Lynn. Published on the website The Conversation in 2020.

Note: Since summaries, by definition, condense large amounts of text via concise phrasing, it’s not practical to copy the original text here. You can follow the link article, though, if it helps you to understand the examples below.

Example 3a: Appropriate Summary (APA Style)

Psychologists Craig Polizzi and Steven Jay Lynn note that individuals might need to change their coping strategies as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Three particular strategies they recommend are “cognitive reappraisal,” “problem-focused coping,” and “cultivating compassion and lovingkindness” (Polizzi and Lynn, 2020).

In this example, the author concisely summarizes the overall argument of Polizzi and Lynn’s article. They put the names for Polizzi and Lynn’s three coping strategies in quotation marks–it’s entirely possible that Polizzi and Lynn did not invent these terms, but even so, they’re not commonly recognized terms, so it’s appropriate to note that they came straight from the article. On the other hand, the term “coping strategies” is also used by Polizzi and Lynn throughout their article (including the title), but this is an extremely common psychological term, and thus it’s not necessary for the author to place it in quotation marks.

Example 3b: Inappropriate Summary (Distorts Original Meaning)

Psychologists Craig Polizzi and Steven Jay Lynn argue that if everyone simply practiced “cognitive reappraisal,” “problem-focused coping,” and “cultivating compassion and lovingkindness,” the psychological effects of the pandemic would be minimal (Polizzi and Lynn, 2020).

The wording of this summary significantly distorts Polizzi and Lynn’s argument. Though they do suggest that these three strategies can help people cope, they never suggest that the strategies will work for everyone, nor do they suggest that these strategies alone can minimize the effects of a global pandemic. Presumably, this author is trying to emphasize Polizzi and Lynn’s claims in order to support a point of their own, but summarizing a source in a way that changes its original meaning is unethical and, if readers discover the distortion, makes the author’s argument appear weaker rather than stronger.

Example 3c: Inappropriate Summary (Unclear Transitions)

Psychologists have argued that, as the global pandemic stretches on, individuals will face new types of stress. In light of these new stresses, it’s prudent for everyone to employ a variety of coping strategies to maintain self-care and build resilience. Three potentially useful strategies are “cognitive reappraisal,” “problem-focused coping,” and “cultivating compassion and lovingkindness.” (Polizzi and Lynn, 2020).

This summary does not clearly signal where their ideas end and the summary of Polizzi and Lynn begins. Did Polizzi and Lynn suggest that the ongoing pandemic will require people to adopt new coping strategies, or did they just describe the practices of “cognitive reappraisal,” “problem-focused coping,” and “cultivating compassion and lovingkindness,” and the author connected these ideas to the pandemic themselves? The citation at the end indicates where the summary stops, but without a clear beginning point, it’s impossible to tell for certain how Polizzi and Lynn contributed to this paragraph.

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  • Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

APA 7: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

  • About Citations
  • In-Text Citations
  • Formatting the Paper
  • Formatting the Reference List
  • Web Sources

Paraphrasing vs. Directly Quoting

Paraphrase means to describe the ideas and words of another author in your own words . 

  • Your paraphrase must be sufficiently distinct from the original passage. Paraphrasing is not simply changing a word or two or rearranging the author's sentences (you might as well use the original passage in quotation marks).
  •  An effective paraphrase will convey the author's facts or conclusions accurately but in your own unique style.
  • Learn more about paraphrasing  from the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University.

Once you write a paraphrase, you must cite the original source of your information. Some students believe that it is only necessary to cite a source if they use a direct quote. Not true! Putting someone else's idea into your own words does not turn it into your own work. You must give the original author credit even when you paraphrase. Paraphrasing well shows that you understand the meaning of the original passage.

To directly quote   means to use the exact words and phrases of an author or creator.

  • Quotes must be reproduced word for word, with quotation marks " " around quotes of less than 40 words.
  • For long passages, use a block format (more on that below).
  • Most instructors will accept a few direct quotes in your paper, especially if the author defines a term or theory. In most cases, however, instructors want you to demonstrate how much you understand a work by putting the ideas in your own words. 

Need practice? Check out this guide from the American Psychological Association .

What's Included in This Guide?

Paraphrasing.

Directly Quoting

Citing with Page Numbers

Citing Without Page Numbers

Block Quotations

While it is not necessary to include a page number or paragraph number when paraphrasing or summarizing another’s ideas, you can include a page or paragraph number for clarity. For additional information, see The Publication Manual, p. 269. We recommend that you check with your instructor for their requirement.

  • Use direct quotes sparingly. You’ll want to paraphrase sources in your own writing style.
  • Reproduce quotations exactly word for word.
  • Quotations of less than 40 words are enclosed by “double quotation marks” and incorporated into the text of your paragraph.
  • In the citation, include the author’s last name, publication year, and page or paragraph number.
  • For quotations over 40 words, use a block quotation following the guidelines below .

Citing Specific Parts of a Text or Exact Quotes – Sources with Page Numbers

When citing the printed original or the exact copy of a document (i.e., the .pdf version), include the page number when directly quoting. If you place your quote at the end of a sentence, end the quotation with double quotes, add the citation, then end the sentence with a period.

Citing Specific Parts of a Text or Exact Quotes - Sources Without Page Numbers

Sometimes page numbers are unavailable, such as on a web page or the text version of an article. Instead of p. for “page number,” count the paragraphs and use para. with the paragraph number. For example:  

(Jones, 2017, para. 5)

For sources with headings, refer to the closest section heading and then count the paragraphs:     

(Jones, 2017, Methods section) OR (Jones, 2017, Methods section, para. 6)

To create a block quotation (text of 40 words or more)

  • Start the quote on a new line indented one tab or five spaces
  • Indent the entire block of text
  • Double-space the entire block; make sure there are no extra blank lines before or after the block
  • Do not use quotation marks around the quote
  • To cite, include the author and date in the narrative before the quotation and end the block with the page number OR cite in parenthesis at the end of the block quote
  • DON'T end the quotation with a period
  • See  The Publication Manual,  pp. 272-273 for more information
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APA Citation Guide (7th edition): Quotes vs Paraphrases

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  • 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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Citation Guide - Valparaiso

  • What is a paraphrase
  • APA Formatting, 7th ed.
  • APA Citation Examples, 7th ed.
  • MLA Formatting, 9th ed.
  • MLA Citation, 9th ed.
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What is a Paraphrase

A  paraphrase  translates the source's words into your own style and your own words. If you copy three or more words in a row, you must put those words in quotation marks and name the source. Just like a quotation, a paraphrase is always cited in the body of your paper/document and in your reference list at the end of the paper/document.

5 Steps to Effective Parapharsing

  • Read Carefully.  Read the passage until you comprehend its full meaning. As you read, write down bullet points on the facts or opinions expressed, but do not copy "word for word" without using quotation marks. 
  • Put the passage aside and write out your paraphrase in full sentences. 
  • Check your version with the original to make sure its accurate. Make any corrections as needed. 
  • Use quotation marks to identify any uniqure phrases that you used directly from the source. 
  • Record the source and page number so you can refere back to it when creating your reference list. 

Adapted from the Purdue Online Writing Lab's Guide to Paraphrasing

  • How to introduce a quotation
  • How to format a block quote

Introduce the quotation or paraphrase by setting it in context.

  • For a nonfiction source, identify the author the first time you cite the source.
  • For a literary source, identify the speaker or writer and the position of the quoted piece in its work for every quotation.

There are three ways to introduce quotations or paraphrases (APA examples):

1. You can use a  full sentence  followed by  a colon  to introduce a quotation

The fossil evidence for human evolution is consistent with the idea promulgated by Darwin: “the tree of life is a branching one with numerous lineages, not a single evolutionary lineage from ancient to modern” (Alcott, 2009, p. 278).

2. You can use a  lead-in  naming the author or character, followed by  a comma .

The renowned Russian geneticist Theodosius Dobzhansky once remarked, “All species are unique, but humans are uniquest” (Dawson, 2009, p. 275).

3. You can also begin a  sentence with your own words  and complete it with quoted words. In this case, do not use a comma before the quotation.

Frederick (2009) proposed that if the primate “was using its hands to make and wield tools, it was, in all likelihood, walking upright” (p.151 ).

Set off a long quotation (“block quotation”) by beginning a new line and indenting the body of the quotation in by 1/2 inch from the left margin of your text. Block quotations are  not  surrounded by quotation marks. 

For APA - A   quotation of more than 40 words should be double-spaced and indented by ½ inch:

The nursing profession is an art and a science: 

In the realm of healthcare, nursing stands as a beacon of compassion and expertise. Nurses, through their unwavering dedication and clinical acumen, serve as frontline advocates for patient well-being. As Florence Nightingale aptly stated, 'Nursing is an art, and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion as hard a preparation as any painter's or sculptor's work.' (Johnson, 2009, p. 76)

For MLA - A quotation longer than 4 lines (3 lines for poetry) should be double-spaces and 1/2 inch from the margin. 

It is not until near the end of  The Hound of the Baskervilles  that the hound itself is actually seen:

A hound it was, an enormous coal-black hound, but not such a hound as mortal eyes have ever seen. Fire burst from its open mouth, its eyes glowed with a smouldering glare, its muzzle and hackles and dewlap were outlined in flickering flame. Never in the delirious dream of a disordered brain could anything more savage, more appalling, more hellish be conceived than that dark form and savage face which broke upon us out of the wall of fog. (Doyle 82)

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Critical Writing Program: Craft of Prose (Spring 2024): Examples of Paraphrase

  • Getting started
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  • What to Do When You Are Stuck
  • Understanding a citation
  • Examples of Quotation
  • Examples of Paraphrase
  • Chicago Manual of Style: Citing Images
  • Researching the Op-Ed
  • Researching Prospective Employers
  • Resume Resources
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Paraphrases—rewordings of text—need to be cited. Paraphrasing without providing a citation is plagiarism. Even paraphrases with citations can be instances of plagiarism if they are so similar to the original that the paraphraser claims credit for the original author's language.

A paraphrase that avoids plagiarism:

  • cites the source of the material being paraphrased.
  • differs enough from the original that it doesn't require quotation marks.

Paraphrase Examples

Wines drunk at Greek tables did not always come from Greece itself. The wine snobbery of the time extolled the merits of wines from the slopes of Mount Lebanon, from Palestine, Egypt and Magna Graecia-Greater Greece, i.e., southern Italy. The ten litres a day drunk by the famous wrestler Milo of Croton was a wine famous in Calabria, where Milo lived: this wine, Ciro, is still made.

from Maguelone Toussaint-Samat's A History of Food (Cambridge: Blackwell, 1992. 263).

Wines drunk by Greeks were not always made in Greece itself. The wine snobs of that period celebrated wines from Mount Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt. The famous wrestler Milo of Croton, who consumed ten liters of wine a day, drank wine made in Calabria outside of Greece; this wine, Ciro, is still made.

This paraphrase plagiarizes in two ways:

1. By having no citation, the paraphrase misleads readers into believing that the ideas, facts and sense of the passage are a result of the author's own research and knowledge.

2. The language of the paraphrase is too similar to the original. Even if the author had provided a citation, some instructors would consider this plagiarism.

Not Plagiarism:

Although Greeks were picky about their wine, they enjoyed wine from outside Greece. Upstanding Greeks enjoyed wine from many of Greece's local trading partners—including Palestine, Egypt and southern Italy. One story tells of the famous wrestler Milo of Croton, who consumed ten liters of foreign wine daily (Toussaint-Samat 263).

This paraphrase cites the original and rephrases its words to create an original construction.

Paraphrase that Uses Too Much of the Original Language

Up, up, up, groping through clouds for what seemed like an eternity....No amount of practice could have prepared them for what they encountered. B-24s, glittering like mica, were popping up out of the clouds all over the sky.

from Thomas Childers. Wings of morning: the story of the last American bomber shot down over Germany in World War II , Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley (1990), 83. 

Up, up, up he went, until he got above the clouds. No amount of practice could have prepared the pilot and crew for what they encountered-B-24s, glittering like mica, were popping up out of the clouds over here, over there, everywhere.

This comes from The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s over Germany  by Stephen E. Ambrose. Ambrose cites but does not quote Childers' original work despite using its imagery and language.  Ambrose should have either used Childers' passage as a direct quotation or modified his own passage so that it consisted of his own language.

Not Plagiarism

 Despite their training, the pilot and crew's experience was surreal and surprising, seeing for the first time "B-24s, glittering like mica, ... popping up out of the clouds all over the sky" (Ambrose 83).

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IMAGES

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  3. Quotation Marks with New or Multiple Paragraphs

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  4. Quotation Marks: Separating Words & Phrases

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  5. Examples of Paraphrasing in Academic Writing

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VIDEO

  1. The quotation marks were intentional. #anatomyalovestory #danaschwartz

  2. HOW TO PARAPHRASE

  3. Paraphrasing and Introductions: Week 1

  4. #study the paraphrasing writing 🫀🦋✨

  5. paraphrase

  6. របៀប Paraphrasing នឹង Quotation ក្នុងសំយោគបណ្ណាល័យសាស្រ្ត

COMMENTS

  1. Paraphrasing

    Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source. Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper. Some examples to compare

  2. How to Paraphrase

    Try for free How to paraphrase correctly Putting an idea into your own words can be easier said than done. Let's say you want to paraphrase the text below, about population decline in a particular species of sea snails.

  3. Quoting and Paraphrasing

    Should I paraphrase or quote? In general, use direct quotations only if you have a good reason. Most of your paper should be in your own words.

  4. Using Paraphrases & Quotations

    When you use quotations, you must always use quotation marks ("….") to show that these words belong to someone else. When you write a paraphrase or use a quotation, you must include citations to stay honest with your academic work. After we practice paraphrasing and quoting, we will work on citations in the next chapter. Paraphrases & Quotations

  5. How and When to Paraphrase Quotations

    An Effective Method of Paraphrasing a Quotation: Before you begin paraphrasing, it's important to fully understand the quotation, its context, and any important cultural, political, or hidden meanings. Your job, as a paraphraser, is to accurately convey the author's meaning as well as any subtext.

  6. Using Quotation Marks

    The primary function of quotation marks is to set off and represent exact language (either spoken or written) that has come from somebody else. The quotation mark is also used to designate speech acts in fiction and sometimes poetry.

  7. Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

    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:

  8. How to Paraphrase (Without Plagiarizing a Thing)

    Because they're unique, paraphrases do not require quotation marks as direct quotes do. But paraphrasing still requires citations to ensure you're not plagiarizing someone else's ideas, research, or theories. How to paraphrase, with examples

  9. Quoting, Paraphrasing, & Summarizing

    Provide an in-text citation any time you include a quote, paraphrase, or summary from an outside source. Any direct quote also needs to be placed in quotation marks (" "). If you are quoting longer passages (more than 40 words), please see our Block Quotation guide.

  10. When to Use Quotation Marks ("")

    Quotation marks (also known as quotes or inverted commas) are used to indicate direct speech and quotations. In academic writing, you need to use quotation marks when you quote a source. This includes quotes from published works and primary data such as interviews.

  11. Quotations

    It is best to paraphrase sources rather than directly quoting them because paraphrasing allows you to fit material to the context of your paper and writing style. ... For quotations of fewer than 40 words, add quotation marks around the words and incorporate the quote into your own text—there is no additional formatting needed. Do not insert ...

  12. Understanding Paraphrasing and Quotation Marks in Writing

    No, paraphrases do not require quotation marks. But let's delve deeper into why. Quoting vs. Paraphrasing Quoting means directly using someone else's words, which necessitates enclosing the words in quotation marks. On the other hand, paraphrasing is about representing someone else's ideas in your unique style and words.

  13. Do You Need Quotation Marks When Paraphrasing?

    You don't need to use quotation marks when paraphrasing, but you must attribute ideas to their source correctly. Follow the MLA or APA format for in-text citations when paraphrasing, but forgo the quotation marks that typically come before an in-text citation. For example:

  14. Quotation Marks: Rules and Examples

    1 Quote a source directly One of the most common uses of quotation marks is to indicate a direct quote, a passage that is copied verbatim from another source. If you're using the same word, sentence, or phrase as another author, put those words in between quotation marks.

  15. LibGuides: Citation Guide: Paraphrasing and Quoting

    Quotation (n.): The original words of a source (usually written) identified by "quotation marks" or used as a block indent. Quoted material must be cited. To Plagiarize (v.): To use the words or ideas of another author either without proper attribution or by improperly paraphrasing the author.

  16. How to Paraphrase

    Paraphrasing is an alternative to quoting (copying someone's exact words and putting them in quotation marks ). In academic writing, it's usually better to paraphrase instead of quoting. It shows that you have understood the source, reads more smoothly, and keeps your own voice front and center.

  17. Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

    The opening phrase and the citation at the end at least make it clear that the author is paraphrasing, but the lack of quotation marks still mean that the author has used Swift's language in place of their own without giving Swift proper credit. Example 2d: Inappropriate Paraphrase (Unclear Transitions)

  18. Guide to Writing

    The first is pretty self-explanatory: you use quotation marks when you're making a direct quote. He said "I'll never forget you.". It was the best moment of my life. Yogi Berra famously said, "A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.". If you're just writing an approximation of something a person said, you would not use quotation marks:

  19. Paraphrases & Quotations

    A paraphrase is a restatement of another's idea presented in your own words. Since the idea itself is another's, paraphrased material requires proper in-text citations. This may be done using parenthetical or narrative citations (as described on the page " In-Text Citations "). Paraphrased material may extend for several sentences.

  20. Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

    Quotes must be reproduced word for word, with quotation marks " " around quotes of less than 40 words. For long passages, use a block format (more on that below). Most instructors will accept a few direct quotes in your paper, especially if the author defines a term or theory.

  21. Paraphrasing

    Paraphrasing allows you to summarize and synthesize information from one or more sources, focus on significant information, and compare and contrast relevant details.

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

    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.

  23. Ivy Tech Libraries: Citation Guide

    A paraphrase translates the source's words into your own style and your own words. If you copy three or more words in a row, you must put those words in quotation marks and name the source. Just like a quotation, a paraphrase is always cited in the body of your paper/document and in your reference list at the end of the paper/document.

  24. Examples of Paraphrase

    A paraphrase that avoids plagiarism: cites the source of the material being paraphrased. differs enough from the original that it doesn't require quotation marks. Paraphrase Examples. Original. Wines drunk at Greek tables did not always come from Greece itself. The wine snobbery of the time extolled the merits of wines from the slopes of Mount ...

  25. Single vs. Double Quotation Marks Explained

    In form, quotation marks (or simply "quotes" for short) are just commas, elevated to the top of a text line instead of at the bottom. Single quotation marks use only one comma—they look just like the apostrophe —while double quotation marks use two commas right next to each other. The direction the quotation marks face depends on ...