How do you cite a paraphrase?

1 APA Style

APA (American Psychological Association) style is a widely used format for citing sources in the social and behavioral sciences. To cite a paraphrase in APA style, you need to include the author's last name and the year of publication in parentheses after the paraphrase, or in the text before the paraphrase. For example:

According to Smith (2020), paraphrasing is a skill that requires practice and attention to detail. (paraphrase with citation after)

Smith (2020) argued that paraphrasing is a skill that requires practice and attention to detail. (paraphrase with citation before)

If you are citing a specific part of a source, you should also include the page number or paragraph number after the year, separated by a comma. For example:

Paraphrasing can help you avoid quoting too much and show your understanding of the source (Jones, 2019, p. 45). (paraphrase with citation and page number)

Jones (2019) suggested that paraphrasing can help you avoid quoting too much and show your understanding of the source (para. 3). (paraphrase with citation and paragraph number)

2 MLA Style

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a common format for citing sources in the humanities and liberal arts. To cite a paraphrase in MLA style, you need to include the author's last name and the page number in parentheses after the paraphrase, or in the text before the paraphrase. For example:

Paraphrasing allows you to express your own voice and perspective while respecting the original source (Brown 12). (paraphrase with citation after)

Brown notes that paraphrasing allows you to express your own voice and perspective while respecting the original source (12). (paraphrase with citation before)

If you are citing a source that does not have page numbers, such as a website, you can use the author's name only, or the title of the source if the author is unknown. For example:

Paraphrasing is an essential skill for academic writing that demonstrates your critical thinking and analysis (Green). (paraphrase with citation and author name)

Paraphrasing is an essential skill for academic writing that demonstrates your critical thinking and analysis ("How to Paraphrase"). (paraphrase with citation and source title)

3 Chicago Style

Chicago style is a popular format for citing sources in the history, social sciences, and other disciplines. Whether you use footnotes or endnotes, numbered references at the bottom of the page or at the end of the paper, respectively, it's important to cite a paraphrase. You can also use a shortened form of the citation in subsequent notes if you are citing the same source multiple times. Paraphrasing is a way of engaging with the source material and showing your interpretation and evaluation.^1 Additionally, paraphrasing helps you avoid overusing direct quotations, which can make your writing less creative and compelling.^2 As such, it's essential to cite your sources correctly and avoid plagiarism in your academic writing.1 White, David. How to Paraphrase Effectively. 2nd ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2018.2 White, How to Paraphrase, 45.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?