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Paraphrasing is a vital skill for academic writing. It allows you to incorporate ideas from other sources into your work while ensuring originality and avoiding plagiarism. By restating someone else’s ideas in your own words you are able to incorporate evidence into your specific argument while remaining faithful to the source's original meaning. Unlike the use of direct quotes, paraphrasing allows you to adapt the material to your style and integrate it smoothly into your writing.

  • Demonstrates Understanding: Paraphrasing shows that you comprehend the original source.
  • Avoids Plagiarism: Properly cited paraphrased content ensures you’re giving credit to the original author.
  • Creates Flow: Paraphrasing helps your paper maintain a cohesive tone and voice.

When to Paraphrase

While paraphrasing is almost always preferred, there are times when quoting is more appropriate:

  • When the original wording is unique or powerful.
  • When terminology is being introduced that will be important to know and understand
  • When the source material is a well-known quote that will lend credibility to your argument.
If you choose to quote, follow APA guidelines: include quotation marks and the page number (e.g., Smith, 2022, p. 45).

Steps to Paraphrase Effectively

  1. Understand the Original Text: Read the passage carefully to grasp its meaning fully.
  2. Take Notes: Write down the key ideas without copying the exact wording.
  3. Rephrase in Your Own Words: Use synonyms, change sentence structures, and break up complex ideas while preserving the original meaning.
  4. Cite the Source: Always include an in-text citation in APA style, even for paraphrased material.

Paraphrasing Examples

Straightforward Restatement

Direct Quote

 “Regular physical activity improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood while enhancing self-esteem and cognitive function” (National Institute on Aging, 2021).

Paraphrase

Engaging in consistent physical activity can positively impact mental health by alleviating anxiety and depression, decreasing negative emotions, and boosting self-esteem and cognitive abilities (National Institute on Aging, 2021).

lightbulbNote how the same information was presented accurately, while still being phrased in a unique way that avoids any exact phrasing from the original quote.
Complex Ideas

Direct Quote

 “Climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including those in low-income regions, by exacerbating existing inequalities and limiting access to essential resources” (Jones & Lee, 2020).

Paraphrase

Populations in economically disadvantaged areas face heightened challenges due to climate change, which worsens social inequalities and restricts access to crucial resources (Jones & Lee, 2020).

lightbulbHere you’ll notice that the author is able to emphasize a detail in their paraphrase that is not emphasized in the original quote, thus highlighting how the source is relevant to their specific argument while remaining faithful to the text.
Integrating Your Paraphrase

Unintegrated Paraphrase

 The causes of childhood obesity are various. Greg (2005) found that children need physical activity to stay healthy. One study found that the amount of time spent in front of the television or computer had a direct correlation to an individual's BMI (Stephens, 2003). Parsons (2003) debated whether nature or nurture affects childhood obesity more. Scientists have linked genetics to obesity (Parsons, 2003). Parents often reinforce bad lifestyle habits (Parsons, 2003).

The causes of childhood obesity are various. Greg (2005) found that children need physical activity to stay healthy. However, children's inactive lifestyles and the time they spend in front of a screen seem to consume the time they could otherwise spend playing outdoors or involved in physical activities. In fact, this lack of physical activity has a direct effect on body mass index (BMI). One study found that the amount of time spent in front of the television or computer had a direct correlation to an individual's BMI (Stephens, 2003). >Although screen time is correlated with high BMI, Parsons (2003) still debated whether nature or nurture affects childhood obesity more. Though Parsons admitted that scientists have linked genetics to obesity, he also explained that parents often reinforce bad lifestyle habits.

lightbulbNote that here, rather than simply using a list of paraphrased sentences from these sources, the author of the example on the right integrates each piece of information from the sources by using extra explanation or transitions (emphasized in bold).


Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Paraphrasing is both an art and a skill. It requires practice, attention to detail, and a solid understanding of APA guidelines. By following the steps outlined here and learning from the examples provided, you’ll be well-equipped to paraphrase effectively and confidently in any academic situation.

For more information on this subject see the APA page on paraphrasing . If you are still feeling unsure, remember that paraphrasing is a skill that improves with time and every effort you make strengthens your academic integrity and writing ability.

Check Your Understanding