Paraphrase

Restating someone else's ideas in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Paraphrasing still requires a citation because the idea belongs to the original author, even though the wording is different.

Why it matters

Paraphrasing is the primary way academic writers incorporate sources into their work. Unlike direct quotation, paraphrasing lets you integrate ideas seamlessly into your argument in your own voice. Mastering paraphrasing is key to avoiding plagiarism while demonstrating that you genuinely understand the source material.

How to use

Read the original passage carefully and set it aside. Write the idea from memory in your own words and sentence structure, then compare with the original to ensure you have not accidentally replicated the phrasing. Always add an in-text citation after the paraphrase. In APA, a page number is optional for paraphrases but recommended for long sources.

In academic writing

Effective paraphrasing is one of the most valued skills in academic writing. Professors prefer to see students paraphrase rather than string together direct quotations, because paraphrasing demonstrates comprehension. Most academic papers use far more paraphrases than direct quotes, reserving quotations for instances where the original wording is particularly important or memorable.