How to Cite When Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is using someone else’s ideas in your own words without changing the original meaning. It’s important to cite these sources correctly to give credit to the original author and avoid plagiarism.

In this article, we will discuss the steps and rules for effectively citing sources when you paraphrase. This includes understanding different citation styles and knowing when and how to use them in your writing.

How to Cite When Paraphrasing?

1. Start with an introductory signal phrase that includes the author and year. For example: “According to Smith (2019)…” or “As explained in a 2019 study by Smith…”
2. Paraphrase the original text from the source. Do not just change a few words – make sure you use your own words to restate the idea or information. Stick close to the meaning of the original text.
3. For in-text citations with APA format, after you paraphrase, include the author’s last name and year of publication in parentheses at the end of the sentence. For example: “…text you have paraphrased” (Smith, 2019).
4. Only include the page number in the citation if you paraphrase a specific portion of the text with an associated page number. The page number goes after the year separated by a comma inside the parentheses.
5. Make sure your full citation is included in the reference list at the end of your paper in proper APA, MLA, or other required format including author, year, title, publisher details, etc. The in-text citation links to this full reference.

When Paraphrasing Do You Cite at the End?

When paraphrasing another person’s ideas in your writing, you still need to credit them. A paraphrase states information from a source in your own words. Even though it’s rewritten, the ideas come from your source and require citation.

At the end of a paraphrased passage, include an in-text citation with the author’s name and year. This links to the full reference citation so readers can locate your source. Cite even when you completely rewrite the original text in your own style.

Giving proper credit where credit is due prevents plagiarism. Citing sources ethically strengthens your writing authority. When paraphrasing, remember to cite each time you borrow ideas or information.

What Is the Proper Way of Paraphrasing a Source?

Paraphrasing correctly restates source information in your own words and style. When paraphrasing, read the original text carefully until you fully grasp the meaning. You cannot just change a few words. Write out the entire passage in your own voice while retaining the core idea.

Be sure to cite paraphrased content using the author’s name and year. At the end of the paraphrased text, include an in-text citation in parentheses. This links to the full reference citation so readers can find the original source.

Paraphrasing makes information accessible to your readers without directly quoting. However, you must continue to credit the original author through proper citation even when paraphrasing.

What Is An Example Of A Paraphrase?

Here are some examples of paraphrasing done properly:

Original Source: “The brown bear population has been steadily increasing in the mountainous regions over the past 5 years due to conservation efforts.”

Paraphrase: According to a recent report, brown bear numbers are on the rise in mountain terrain, seeing significant growth over the last five years because of wildlife preservation initiatives (Smith, 2019).

Original Source: “Patient surveys indicated lower satisfaction rates when nurses skipped the patient education portion of care.”

Paraphrase: Patients seem less satisfied when nurses leave out the standard patient education talks, as per patient feedback surveys conducted by a Yale Medical Center study (Johnson et al., 2021).

Original Source: “The computer revolution of the last two decades has profoundly affected the workforce and the workplace.”

Paraphrase: Per Schultz (2018), the onset of advanced computing technology has substantially impacted employees and their environments over just the last twenty years.

In each case, the paraphrased version accurately relays the same essential information as the original source but uses different vocabulary and sentence structure without directly quoting.

FAQs

What is paraphrasing and why is it important to cite it?

Paraphrasing involves rewording or rephrasing the ideas from a source in your own words. Citing a paraphrase is important because it acknowledges the original source of the ideas, thereby avoiding plagiarism and giving credit to the author whose work informed your own.

How do I cite a paraphrase in APA format?

In APA format, cite a paraphrase by including the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses at the end of the paraphrased section. For example: (Smith, 2020). 

Is a page number required when citing a paraphrase?

Page numbers are not typically required when citing a paraphrase, especially in APA and Harvard styles, as you are conveying the general idea, not a direct quote.

Can I paraphrase without changing the technical terms?

Yes, you can retain technical terms or specific jargon when paraphrasing, as these terms might be essential to the meaning of the source material. 

Conclusion

Paraphrasing is an important skill for restating source information in your own words. When paraphrasing, properly cite the original author and year of publication after the paraphrased content.

This prevents plagiarism while allowing you to rewrite details and ideas from research in your own unique voice. Online paraphrasing tools like Toolv.io can assist by rewriting content to jumpstart your paraphrasing process.

For more information about how to convert text to speech, click our how to convert text to speech post. For free text to speech tools click on our free text to speech tool post.