This article focuses on the rules of paraphrasing, directly quoting, and making scholarly citations with the understanding that while each department and instructor may have a preferred citation style (such as MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), the basic rules of paraphrasing and citing works are consistent across all styles.
Article Contents
- Why are Paraphrasing and Scholarly Citation important in Academic Writing?
- Paraphrasing
- Direct Quotes
- Scholarly Citation: In-text vs. References List
Why are Paraphrasing and Scholarly Citation important in Academic Writing?
Academic writing is a cognitively challenging task, requiring an understanding of the target learning material along with good organizational and communicative skills, which in a written modality include clarity and precision of expression and adequate command of topic-specific vocabulary. On top of the cognitive demands come some additional contextual demands of your given academic discipline or professional area of study: in other words, you are required to write in a specific way, following rules that at times may seem arbitrary but are nevertheless crucial to successful integration into your academic/professional community.
Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is a valuable skill that allows you to include information from outside sources in your own work without committing plagiarism. Paraphrasing involves taking someone else's ideas and expressing them in your own words, demonstrating your understanding while avoiding a copy-paste job.
To effectively paraphrase, you'll want to modify the sentence's structure and vocabulary without distorting meaning or creating a convoluted structure. To complete the paraphrase, be sure to mention the author and publication year in the sentence or cite the author's name and year of publication in parentheses.
Follow these steps to paraphrase the right way:
- Deconstruct the Source: Read the source material carefully. Break down the sentence structure, identify key ideas, and understand the author's argument. Good paraphrasing will reflect a deep processing of the source content.
- Reshape the Sentence Structure: It is not enough to simply swap existing words in a sentence with synonyms. You can replace some words with synonyms, but focus on synonyms that truly convey the same meaning in the context of the sentence. The best practice is to rewrite sentences using different grammatical constructions so that you do not copy the original phrasing.
Example Paraphrasing
- Original Text: "A recent study by Smith (2023) demonstrates that social media use can have a significant negative impact on mental health, particularly among teenagers." (This is the source you want to paraphrase.)
- Paraphrased Text: "According to one study, teenagers who actively engage with social media platforms are more likely to experience negative mental health consequences. (Smith, 2023)" (This rewrites the sentence structure, uses some synonyms, and changes the point of view slightly.)
More Information on Paraphrasing
Purdue Online Writing Lab is a great source of information for writers in an academic setting. Visit the links below to learn more about paraphrasing and scholarly citation.
Paraphrase: Write it in your own words - Purdue Online Writing Lab
Direct Quotes
Although it takes some experience and judgment, you may decide that directly quoting another source would do it the most justice. In general, however, it is important to use direct quotes sparingly because the bulk of your writing should demonstrate your own analysis and understanding, and this is evidenced by strong paraphrasing.
As with a paraphrase, a direct quote must be accompanied by a citation to avoid plagiarism. Below are some reasons why you might opt for a direct quote (with citation) instead of paraphrasing:
- Existing Prose is Perfect: At times, another author's words may be too well-crafted to paraphrase, either because the source text is concise or it contains powerful language that could be diminished when reworded.
- Existing Prose must be Exact: You might also be quoting laws, regulations, or official definitions, which require the accuracy of a verbatim quote.
Example Direct Quote
- Fictional Sentence: According to Dr. Amelia Jones, a prominent sociologist, social media platforms can create a sense of social isolation despite fostering virtual connections (Jones, 2024).
- Demo Student Using Direct Quote: In their recent study, Dr. Amelia Jones (2024) argues, "social media platforms can create a sense of social isolation despite fostering virtual connections" (p. 12). This finding highlights the potential paradox of social media, where users can feel increasingly alone despite being virtually connected to a vast network of people.
More Information on Making Direct Quotes
Direct Quotes | APA In-Text Citations - Excelsior Online Writing Lab
Scholarly Citation: In-text vs. References List
When you include other people's content in the body of your writing, either through paraphrase or direct quotation, you must give credit by way of both an in-text citation and a comprehensive list at the end of your paper. These two aspects of citation have different names depending on the specific style guide you are required to use.
- In-Text Citation: In-text citations help readers understand where your ideas come from and allow them to easily find the full source for further reading.
- Reference List: The reference list (also known as works cited, bibliography, etc.) provides complete source information for all your citations, ensuring proper credit is given to the original authors. It also allows others (such as your instructor or an interested reader) to check your research and look into interesting sources.
Example Citations in APA Style
Imagine you're writing a paper on the impact of social media on mental health. You reference a study by Smith (2023) that found a correlation between social media use and increased anxiety.
- In-Text Citation: A recent study found a positive correlation between social media use and anxiety symptoms (Smith, 2023).
- Reference List: Smith, J. (2023). Social media use and mental health: A review of the literature. Journal of Technology and Psychology, 10(2), 123-145.
More Information on Scholarly Citation and Style
Style Guide Overview - Purdue Online Writing Lab
Guidelines for Citations and References - Boise State University, College of Business and Economics
APA Style and Grammar Guidelines
Citation Styles: APA, MLA, Chicago, Turabian, IEEE - University of Pittsburgh
Example References List in APA Style
The example reference list below is composed of fictitious entries created using Google Gemini.
References
Allen, B. C., & Jones, M. A. (2023). The impact of social media use on political polarization: A cross-cultural analysis. Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, 12(3), 456-478.
Garcia, L. T., & Rodriguez, I. M. (2024). Generational differences in attitudes toward technology and social interaction. Social Science Quarterly, 95(1), 210-228.
Johnson, A. (2022). The influence of social media influencers on consumer behavior: A case study of the fashion industry. International Journal of Marketing and Communication, 14(2), 189-212.
Williams, D. R., & Thompson, K. L. (2021). The role of social media in social movements: A review of the literature. Social Movement Studies, 20(5), 678-702.
More Information on References in APA Style
Creating an APA Style Reference List Guide
Common APA Reference Examples Guide
Note: Google Gemini was used in the initial brainstorming phase of writing this article, and it was also used to create paraphrasing and citation examples. All other content and resulting final draft was written and verified by DES staff trained in writing pedagogy.