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APA Reference Guide: Direct quotes, paraphrasing and in-text citation

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Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing and In-Text Citation

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paraphrasing direct quotes examples

What is a direct quote?

To directly   quote  is to write down exactly what someone has said or written, and credit the speaker of the words. A direct quote is identified by using quotation marks, as per the example below from Sir David Attenborough: “But, according to the environmental economists, we must now curb our passion for growth, distribute resources more evenly.”  

What is a paraphrase (or indirect quote)?

A paraphrase is using someone else's quote in your own words. Also known as an indirect quote, it documents what a person has said without using the exact words of the speaker. Quotation marks are not used when paraphrasing. An example of a paraphrase of the direct quote in the previous example from Sir David Attenborough may be: It is important to rethink our propensity for growth and consider distributing resources in a more equitable fashion for the sake of the planet.

In-Text Citation

What is an In-Text Citation? Regardless of whether you are directly quoting someone or paraphrasing their words, an  in-text citation is always required. An in-text citation is acknowledging the person you are quoting within the body of your assignment, and is placed directly after the quote or paraphrase, followed by a full stop.

Examples of in-text

How to Add an In-Text Citation in your Assignment

There are different ways to include an in-text citation, depending on whether you are using a direct quote, or paraphrasing:

paraphrasing direct quotes examples

Quotes 40+ words

Quotations of 40 or more words Quotes of 40 or more words are set as a block quotation, and indented (shifted) about 1 cm from the left margin. Quotation marks are not used (even if it is a direct quote). The in-text citation is added at the end of the quote, after the full stop. There is no full stop following the in-text citation. Example of quote of 40 or more words in a block: Block quote. (author, year, page number)

Many countries are looking at new ways to measure economic progress to include the effect on the environment.            In 2019, New Zealand made the bold step of formally dropping GDP as its primary measure of economic                        success. It didn't adopt any of the existing alternatives, but instead created its own index based upon its                         most pressing national concerns. All three Ps - profit, people and planet - were represented.                                               (Attenborough, 2020, p. 134)

Citing a Quote Within a Quote

A quote within a quote - secondary source, if an author quotes someone else, and you want to use this quote for your assignment, you are using a secondary source . for example, if david attenborough (original source) quotes jane goodall (secondary source)  in his book, and you want to use jane goodall's quote in your assignment, this is using a secondary source.  example of a secondary source in-text citation:, author of secondary source (year of secondary source, [as cited in] author of original source, year of original source, page of original source), according to jane goodall (2002, as cited in attenborough, 2020, p. 260), the number of gorillas in the wild have fallen dramatically.,   whenever possible, try and find the original source to reference   the reference list will include the source you actually used (for this example, the reference list would include david attenborough's book), omitting content from a quote, omitting a word from an original quote, if a word(s) is removed from a quote, a parenthetical ellipsis (...)  is added in its place.  example:, "we are polluting the earth with far too many fertilisers, distrupting...phosphorus cycles" (attenborough, 2020, p. 111)..

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Direct Quotations and Paraphrasing Explained

By Erin Wright

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Direct Quotations

Direct quotations present the original writer’s or speaker’s words verbatim. Direct quotations can be formatted as run-in or block quotations.

Run-In Quotations

Run-in quotations are woven into your text. They are usually prefaced or concluded with an independent clause or a noun and verb phrase (e.g., “Tom said,” “Jane says,”) identifying the speaker or writer.

Gerry stormed into the conference room: “The mandatory team meeting began at 3:00 p.m., but Joe didn’t show up.”

Susan said, “He went to the warehouse for supplies.”

“Well, he should have let us know,” replied Brian.

Kitchen blogger Bob Smith claims, “The new ACME dish soap will eliminate the need for electric dishwashers within five years.”

Run-in quotation fragments can also be incorporated into a sentence without an introductory phrase.

The researcher said his findings were “solid and represented the available data,” but admitted that “further study should be done if additional information comes to light.”

Visit “ How to Introduce Run-in Quotations ” for more information and detailed examples.

Block Quotations

Block quotations are longer quotations presented as blocks of text indented from your own writing.

Block Quotation Example | Direct Quotations and Paraphrasing Explained

You can find additional guidance in my three-part block quotation series:

Block Quotations, Part 1: How to Introduce Block Quotations

Block Quotations, Part 2: How to Format Block Quotations

Block Quotations, Part 3: Block Quotation Issues and Concerns

Paraphrasing

When paraphrasing, you include someone else’s content, although not their exact words, in your own writing while maintaining the original writer’s or speaker’s thought or idea. Because paraphrasing doesn’t represent your own thought or idea (even if you put a lot of thought into how to write the paraphrased content), the original writer or speaker must be credited either directly in the sentence and/or in a citation, endnote, or footnote to avoid plagiarism. 1

According to Professor Sniffledorf, the new rocket technology will allow humans to land on Mars in 2031.

The new rocket technology will allow humans to land on Mars in 2031 (Sniffledorf, 2017).

The in-text citation in the example above, “(Sniffledorf, 2017),” would be accompanied by a corresponding entry in your reference list documenting the author’s or speaker’s name, the source’s location (journal, book, website, etc.), the publisher, and the year of publication, as well as the page numbers, if applicable. Citation formatting varies by style guide, so consult your preferred guide if you are required to follow a specific style.

  • The Chicago Manual of Style , 17th ed. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2017), 13.3; MLA Handbook , 8th ed. (New York: Modern Language Association, 2016), 57–58; Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , 7th ed. (Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 2020), 8.23–8.24.
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  • Use Your Words: Paraphrasing, Direct Quotes, and Summarizing

  • What's the Difference?
  • Summarizing
  • Paraphrasing
  • Direct Quote
  • How to Avoid Plagiarism

Quoting ---You directly use a source’s words to convey their point. The quote should appear exactly as it does in the source being used, although you may use ellipsis or brackets to indicate any changes you make in order to make your sentence grammatically correct. Remember that you must put quotation marks around all quoted material. Quotes are most useful in situations when the author’s exact wording is important, or when you feel that the author’s wording is clear and concise. Hint: While quoting, think of yourself as a journalist.

Summarizing - You capture the overall point or main idea of a source. For example, you might summarize an entire movie’s plot or a book’s major theme. Summarizing is particularly useful for condensing “big picture” ideas into a discussion of the work in general and in its entirety. Hint: While summarizing, think of yourself as a film critic or book reviewer.

Paraphrasing - You use your own words to discuss a specific source’s idea. This is often useful in situations when you can state this idea more clearly or concisely than the source has. For paraphrasing, strive for brevity while capturing the idea of a sentence or paragraph’s point (think “smaller picture,” local ideas). For example, instead of quoting a whole paragraph, you might paraphrase the main idea in the paragraph in a sentence or two. Hint: While paraphrasing, think of yourself as a translator. 

What is a Summary?

A summary is an overview of a text. The main idea is given, but details, examples and formalities are left out. Used with longer texts, the main aim of summarizing is to reduce or condense a text to its most important ideas. Summarizing is a useful skill for making notes from readings and in lectures, writing an abstract/synopsis and incorporating material in assignments.

How to summarize

The amount of detail you include in a summary will vary according to the length of the original text, how much information you need and how selective you are:

Start by reading a short text and highlighting the main points as you read.

Reread the text and make notes of the main points, leaving out examples, evidence etc.

Without the text, rewrite your notes in your own words; restate the main idea at the beginning plus all major points.

When to summarize

Summarize long sections of work, like a long paragraph, page or chapter. 

  • To outline the main points of someone else's work in your own words, without the details or examples.
  • To include an author's ideas using fewer words than the original text.
  • To briefly give examples of several differing points of view on a topic.
  • To support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.

Created by UNSW Sydney  https://student.unsw.edu.au/paraphrasing-summarising-and-quoting

What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is a way of presenting a text, keeping the same meaning, but using different words and phrasing. Paraphrasing is used with short sections of text, such as phrases and sentences.

A paraphrase may result in a longer, rather than shorter, version of the original text. It offers an alternative to using direct quotations and helps students to integrate evidence/ source material into assignments. Paraphrasing is also a useful skill for making notes from readings, note-taking in lectures, and explaining information in tables, charts and diagrams.

How to paraphrase

  • Read the source carefully. It is essential that you understand it fully.
  • Identify the main point(s) and key words.
  • Cover the original text and rewrite it in your own words. Check that you have included the main points and essential information.
  • Meaning: ensure that you keep the original meaning and maintain the same relationship between main ideas and supporting points.
  • Words: Use synonyms (words or expression which have a similar meaning) where appropriate. Key words that are specialised subject vocabulary do not need to be changed.
  • If you want to retain unique or specialist phrases, use quotation marks (“ “).
  • Change the grammar and sentence structure. Break up a long sentence into two shorter ones or combine two short sentences into one. Change the voice (active/passive) or change word forms (e.g. nouns, adjectives).
  • Change the order in which information/ ideas are presented (as long as they still make sense in a different order).
  • Identify the attitude of the authors to their subject (i.e. certain, uncertain, critical etc) and make sure your paraphrase reflects this. Use the appropriate .
  • Review your paraphrase checking that it accurately reflects the original text but is in your words and style.
  • Record the original source (including the page number) so that you can provide a reference.

When to paraphrase

Paraphrase short sections of work only; a sentence or two or a short paragraph.

  • As an alternative to a direct quotation.
  • To rewrite someone else's ideas without changing the meaning.
  • To express someone else's ideas in your own words.

Created by UNSW Sydney https://student.unsw.edu.au/paraphrasing-summarising-and-quoting

What is a Quotation?  

A quotation is an exact reproduction of spoken or written words. Direct quotes can provide strong evidence, act as an authoritative voice, or support a writer's statements. For example:

Critical debates about the value of popular culture often raise the spectres of Americanisation and cultural imperialism, particular issues for a 'provincial' culture. However, as Bell and Bell (1993) point out in their study of Australian-American cultural relations: "culture is never simply imposed 'from above' but is negotiated through existing patterns and traditions." (Bell & Bell 1993, p. 9)

How to quote

Make sure that you have a good reason to use a direct quotation. Quoting should be done sparingly and should support your own work, not replace it. For example, make a point in your own words, then support it with an authoritative quote.

  • Every direct quotation should appear between quotation marks (" ") and exactly reproduce text, including punctuation and capital letters.
  • A short quotation often works well integrated into a sentence.
  • Longer quotations (more than 3 lines of text) should start on a new line, be indented and in italics. 

When to quote

  • When the author's words convey a powerful meaning.
  • When you want to use the author as an authoritative voice in your own writing.
  • To introduce an author's position you may wish to discuss.

What is Plagiarism?

According to the RBC Student Handbook   (2016):

Plagiarism: the presentation, with intent to deceive, or with disregard for proper scholarly procedures of a significant scope, of any information, ideas, or phrasing of another as if they were one’s own without giving appropriate credit to the Page 17 of 71 original source.

a) One commits plagiarism when one includes the words of another without quotation or when one includes the substantive work of another without properly crediting the source with footnotes, quotation marks, or other appropriate citation.

b) A student’s intent may be inferred based on the extent and context of the improperly cited material and whether the student has provided false citation or has manipulated the original text such that a reasonable person may conclude the student did so in order to avoid detection.

c) Disregard for proper scholarly procedure that is minimal in scope may be addressed solely as an academic matter, and the instructor may determine whether an academic penalty should be applied without pursuing resolution under the Honor Code. But any intentional acts of plagiarism or disregard for the scholarly procedure of a significant scope should be treated as a violation of the Honor Code.

How to Avoid Plagiarism:

  • Univeristy of Arizona: Accidental Plagiarism Univ. of Arizona - Interactive, self-paced tutorial designed to teach you how to avoid accidental plagiarism by understanding how it can occur and how to avoid it through correct use of paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting of resources. A brief, instantly assessed quiz is included
  • Plagiarism Court This well-designed, interactive tutorial from Fairfield University provides an overview of plagiarism and its legal and ethical consequences. Most importantly it suggests "notetaking, documentation and writing strategies to help you avoid accidental plagiarism". A quiz section provides an opportunity to check your understanding and to receive feedback on your choices. It is also available in a non-Flash html version.
  • You Quote It, You Note It This interactive tutorial from Acadia University (Canada) discusses plagiarism by comparing paraphrasing and quoting, shows how to properly do both as well as how to properly cite your sources. And, it only takes about 10 minutes to complete!
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APA 7 Citation Style: Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

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Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

You already know that you need to use various kinds of resources when you are researching.  Now things can get a little more complicated when trying to use those resources in your assignments.

We find that most students accidentally plagiarize because they don’t know how to correctly quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize information they are trying to incorporate into their papers.  Or how and when to cite things. 

So, what's the difference?

paraphrasing direct quotes examples

(Venn_quote, n.d.)

Direct Quotes 

Quotes are the exact words that the author has used, word for word.  When quoting, you must use quotation marks and include an in-text citation . 

According to the MLA Handbook, quotes should be "used selectively" and should "be as brief as possible" (75). 

Rather, most professors prefer you to paraphrase or summarize information from your source because it demonstrates that you really understand what you're writing about.  

Paraphrasing 

Paraphrasing means putting the information you could have quoted into your own words, but keeping the intention of the original source.  Paraphrases do not have quotation marks because you are using your own words, yet still must include an  in-text citation  at the end of the part you are paraphrasing. 

Summarizing

When you summarize information, it's really a shorter version of the original source where you relate the overall meaning from the source.  Like when paraphrasing, when you summarize you  must still include an   in-text citation  at the end of the part you are summarizing.    

The Modern Language Association of America. (2016).   MLA handbook , 8th edition.  New York: The Modern Language Association of America.

"Venn_quote."  (n.d.).  http://dlc.dcccd.edu/embed.php?key=dcccd+1dcccd234+englishcomp1rlc-units/quoting-paraphrasing-and-summarizing.  

Additional Resources

  • When to Summarize, Paraphrase, and Quote (George Mason University's Writing Center) 
  • Paraphrasing and Quoting 101 (IRSC Libraries) 
  • Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing (Purdue University's Online Writing Lab)
  • Quoting and Paraphrasing (University of Wisconsin's Writing Center)
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Direct quotes in APA Style

Published on November 12, 2020 by Shona McCombes . Revised on June 16, 2022.

A direct quote is a piece of text copied word-for-word from a source. You may quote a word, phrase, sentence, or entire passage.

There are three main rules for quoting in APA Style:

  • If the quote is under 40 words, place it in double quotation marks .
  • If the quote is 40 words or more, format it as a block quote .
  • Cite the author, year, and page number with an APA in-text citation .

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Table of contents

Citing a direct quote, quoting a source with no page numbers, quoting 40 words or more (apa block quotes), making changes to direct quotes in apa, frequently asked questions about apa style.

To cite a quote in APA, you always include the the author’s last name, the year the source was published, and the page on which the quote can be found. The page number is preceded by “p.” (for a single page) or “pp.” (for a page range).

There are two types of APA in-text citation : parenthetical and narrative.

In a parenthetical citation, you place the entire citation in parentheses directly after the quote and before the period (or other punctuation mark).

In a narrative citation, the author(s) appear as part of your sentence. Place the year in parentheses directly after the author’s name, and place the page number in parentheses directly after the quote.

Remember that every in-text citation must correspond to a full APA reference at the end of the text. You can easily create your reference list with our free APA Citation Generator.

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Prevent plagiarism. Run a free check.

Some source types, such as web pages , do not have page numbers. In this case, to cite a direct quote, you should generally include an alternative locator, unless the source is very short.

The locator may be a chapter or section heading (abbreviated if necessary), a paragraph number, or a combination of the two. Use whichever locator will help your reader find the quote most easily.

For sources such as movies , YouTube videos , or audiobooks, use a timestamp to locate the beginning of the quote.

  • Section heading
  • Paragraph number
  • Section and paragraph

If the quote contains 40 words or more, it must be formatted as a block quote. To format a block quote in APA Style:

  • Do not use quotation marks.
  • Start the quote on a new line.
  • Indent the entire quote 0.5 inches.
  • Double-space the entire quote.

Like regular quotes, block quotes can be cited with a parenthetical or narrative citation. However, if the block quote ends with a period, place the citation after the period.

  • Parenthetical

Block quoting is particularly useful when you want to comment on an author’s language or present an argument that you will then critique. By setting the quote on a new line and indenting it, the passage is clearly marked apart from your own words. Therefore, no quotation marks are necessary. (O’Connor, 2019, p. 38)

Block quoting is particularly useful when you want to comment on an author’s language or present an argument that you will then critique. By setting the quote on a new line and indenting it, the passage is clearly marked apart from your own words. Therefore, no quotation marks are necessary. (p. 38)

Block quotes with multiple paragraphs

If the block quote contains multiple paragraphs, indent the first line of each paragraph after the first.

Block quoting is particularly useful when you want to comment on an author’s language or present an argument that you will then critique. By setting the quote on a new line and indenting it, the passage is clearly marked apart from your own words. Therefore, no quotation marks are necessary.

However, it is important not to rely on long quotes to make your point for you. Each quote must be introduced and explained or discussed in your own words. (O’Connor, 2019, p. 38)

In general, a direct quote should be an exact reproduction of the original. However, there are some situations where you may need to make small changes.

You may change the capitalization of the first word or the final punctuation mark in order to integrate the quote grammatically into your sentence, as long as the meaning is not altered.

Any other changes must be marked following these APA guidelines.

Shortening a quote

If you want to omit some words, phrases, or sentences from the quote to save space, use an ellipsis (. . .) with a space before and after it to indicate that some material has been left out.

If the part you removed includes a sentence break, add a period before the ellipsis to indicate this.

  • No sentence break
  • Sentence break

Clarifying a quote

Sometimes you might want to add a word or phrase for context. For example, if a pronoun is used in the quote, you may add a name to clarify who or what is being referred to.

Any added text should be enclosed in square brackets to show that it is not part of the original.

Adding emphasis to quotes

If you want to emphasize a word or phrase in a quote, italicize it and include the words “emphasis added” in square brackets.

Errors in quotes

If the quote contains a spelling or grammatical error, indicate it with the Latin word “sic”, italicized and in square brackets, directly after the error.

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The AI-powered Citation Checker helps you avoid common mistakes such as:

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paraphrasing direct quotes examples

To include a direct quote in APA , follow these rules:

  • Quotes under 40 words are placed in double quotation marks .
  • Quotes of 40 words or more are formatted as block quote .
  • The author, year, and page number are included in an APA in-text citation .

You need an APA in-text citation and reference entry . Each source type has its own format; for example, a webpage citation is different from a book citation .

Use Scribbr’s free APA Citation Generator to generate flawless citations in seconds or take a look at our APA citation examples .

When you quote or paraphrase a specific passage from a source, you need to indicate the location of the passage in your APA in-text citation . If there are no page numbers (e.g. when citing a website ) but the text is long, you can instead use section headings, paragraph numbers, or a combination of the two:

(Caulfield, 2019, Linking section, para. 1).

Section headings can be shortened if necessary. Kindle location numbers should not be used in ebook citations , as they are unreliable.

If you are referring to the source as a whole, it’s not necessary to include a page number or other marker.

The abbreviation “ et al. ” (meaning “and others”) is used to shorten APA in-text citations with three or more authors . Here’s how it works:

Only include the first author’s last name, followed by “et al.”, a comma and the year of publication, for example (Taylor et al., 2018).

In an APA in-text citation , you use the phrase “ as cited in ” if you want to cite a source indirectly (i.e., if you cannot find the original source).

Parenthetical citation: (Brown, 1829, as cited in Mahone, 2018) Narrative citation: Brown (1829, as cited in Mahone, 2018) states that…

On the reference page , you only include the secondary source (Mahone, 2018).

In academic writing , there are three main situations where quoting is the best choice:

  • To analyze the author’s language (e.g., in a literary analysis essay )
  • To give evidence from primary sources
  • To accurately present a precise definition or argument

Don’t overuse quotes; your own voice should be dominant. If you just want to provide information from a source, it’s usually better to paraphrase or summarize .

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

McCombes, S. (2022, June 16). Direct quotes in APA Style. Scribbr. Retrieved March 14, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/direct-quotes/

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Harvard Referencing - SETU Libraries Waterford Guide: Paraphrasing and Direct Quotations

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Paraphrasing and Direct Quotations

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Essay excerpt

Dublin is the capital of Ireland. The Discover Ireland website (Fáilte Ireland, 2013) outlines some of the main tourist attractions in Dublin. The city is ‘small, easy to get around and offers no greater challenge than struggling to be cultural the morning after the night before’ (Davenport, 2010, p. 16). Dublin aims to encourage sustainable tourism and members of the public can help by altering behaviour patterns (Miller et al ., 2010).

Paraphrase or Summary

When you paraphrase or summarise you express somebody else's ideas or theories in your own words.

Paraphrasing is not a direct quote, so there is no need to include quotation marks or page numbers. List the name(s) of the author(s) and the date of publication directly after the paraphrase. Example (see above): Miller et al., 2010.

Direct Quote

A Direct Quote is when you take an actual segment of text from another source and reproduce it word for word in your assignment.

Short quotations should be contained within your paragraph of text, but enclosed within single quotation marks. Example (see above): Davenport, 2010, p. 16.

Longer quotations should be indented as a separate paragraph and do not require quotation marks.

Unless you are quoting from material which does not have page numbers, you will always need a page number as part of your in text citation when quoting.  

Common Knowledge

Only information which is considered general knowledge, or common knowledge within your field of study, does not have to be referenced.

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Paraphrased words still require a citation by putting t he author's name within the paragraph or at the end of the sentence . Sometimes it's better to quote the source directly than paraphrase, primarily if what the author says supports what you wrote. However, know the difference between direct quotations and copy/paste plagiarism. 

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– 7 min read

How to paraphrase (including examples)

Jessica Malnik

Jessica Malnik

paraphrasing direct quotes examples

Paraphrasing has gotten a bad reputation due to its association with plagiarism . However, when used correctly, paraphrasing has the potential to elevate your writing and give you a better understanding of the research.

In this post, we’ll discuss what paraphrasing is, why we do it, and 6 steps to walk you through the process. We’ll also share what not to do with paraphrasing, along with some examples.

Paraphrasing definition and rules

Paraphrasing is simply a way of summarizing someone else’s content in your own words. When you paraphrase, you keep the meaning or intent of the original work without copying it word for word. However, paraphrasing can quickly become a form of plagiarism if done incorrectly. This is why it’s crucial to follow the rules of paraphrasing.

When borrowing the ideas from someone else’s content, there’s one important rule to follow: you must correctly cite your source. This can be done in a number of ways depending on the style guide you use. 

Source citing is different for MLA and APA formatting and style guides. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the citation formats for whichever one you follow. However, in some cases, simply hyperlinking the source will be sufficient.

Why do we paraphrase?

There are a number of reasons that professional writers and students alike choose to paraphrase content. Here are just a few of the common reasons that a writer would choose to paraphrase instead of including a quote or summarization.

Process information better 

One benefit of paraphrasing is that it helps you process the author’s ideas. When you have to rewrite the material in your own words, it makes you really think about the context and how it fits into your piece. If you want to really understand the material you’re citing, try rewriting it. If you were to quote the same information, you would miss out on the benefit of analyzing the source material.

For example, if you are writing a research paper all about Shakespeare’s influence on modern-day literature, you don’t want to just use a ton of direct quotes, instead by paraphrasing original passages, it can help you comprehend and analyze the material better.  

Improve your credibility with readers

You can also improve your credibility by association with the sources you decide to paraphrase. 

When you rewrite the material, you create a connection between your content and the knowledge from the source. 

Your audience will have a better understanding of the direction of your piece if you’re paraphrasing a reputable source with established authority on the subject.

Present data in an interesting way

If you’re referencing a data-heavy webpage or study, then paraphrasing is an engaging way to present the information in your own writing style. 

This allows you to tell a story with the source material instead of simply citing numbers or graphs.

Show that you understand the source

Another reason for paraphrasing that’s particularly important in academic writing is to demonstrate that you’ve read and comprehended the source material. 

For example, if all of you are doing is copying and pasting the original words of a textbook, you aren’t really learning anything new. When you summarize the material in your own words, it helps you to understand the material faster.  

How to paraphrase in 6 steps

Paraphrasing is simple when you break it down into a series of steps. 

Here are the 6 steps you can use to paraphrase your sources:

1. Choose a reputable source

First, you need to pick a credible source to paraphrase. A credible source will likely have ideas and concepts that are worth repeating. Be sure to research the author’s name and publisher’s credentials and endorsements (if applicable).

You’ll also want to check the date of the publication as well to make sure it’s current enough to include in your writing.

paraphrasing direct quotes examples

2. Read and re-read the source material

You want to be sure that you understand the context and information in the original source before you can begin to rework it into your own words. Read through it as many times as you need so you’re sure that you grasp the meaning.

3. Take some notes 

Once you have an understanding of the passage, you’ll want to jot down your initial thoughts. 

What are the key concepts in the source material? 

What are the most interesting parts? 

For this part, it helps to break up the content into different sections. This step will give you a sort of mini-outline before you proceed with rephrasing the material.

4. Write a rough draft

Write your version of the content without looking at the original source material. This part is important. 

With the source hidden, you’ll be less likely to pull phrasing and structure from the original. You are welcome to reference your notes, though. This will help you write the content in your own words without leaning on the source but still hit the key points you want to cover.

5. Compare and revise

Once you have your initial draft written, you should look at it side by side with the original source. Adjust as needed to ensure your version is written in a way that’s unique to your voice. 

This is a good time to break out a thesaurus if you notice you have used too many of the same words as the original source.

6. Cite your source

Whether you use MLA, APA, Chicago, or another style guide, now is the time to give proper credit to the original author or source. When posting content online, you may only need to hyperlink to the original source.

Keep in mind that the paraphrased text will not change depending on the citation style that you follow. It will just change how it’s cited.

What you shouldn’t do when paraphrasing

Now that you understand the process of paraphrasing and can follow the steps, it’s important that you know what to avoid. When paraphrasing, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Do NOT write while you’re still researching

You might be tempted to start writing during the research phase. However, this sets you up to miss information or restate the copy too closely to the source material. Be sure to do your research first, take notes, and then start writing the piece.

2. Do NOT skip the citations

When you pull a small amount of information from a paraphrased source, you may think you don’t need to cite it. However, any idea or copy that’s taken from another source is considered plagiarism if you don’t give it credit, even if it is only a little bit of information.

Paraphrasing examples

Here are some examples to help you understand what paraphrasing looks like when done correctly and incorrectly

Excerpt from LinkedIn’s Official Blog:

“When reaching out to connect with someone, share a personalized message telling the person why you would like to connect. If it’s someone you haven’t been in touch with in a while, mention a detail to jog that person’s memory for how you met, reinforce a mutual interest and kickstart a conversation.”

Here’s another example. This one is from the U.S. Department of Education:

“ The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Department provides oversight over the postsecondary accreditation system through its review of all federally-recognized accrediting agencies. The Department holds accrediting agencies accountable by ensuring that they enforce their accreditation standards effectively. ”

Here’s one more example to show you how to paraphrase using a quote from Mark Twain as the source material:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.”

Paraphrasing can be a beneficial tool for any writer. It can give you credibility and a deeper understanding of the topic. However, to successfully use paraphrasing, you must be careful to properly cite your sources and effectively put the material into your own words each time.

--> “A wide screen just makes a bad film twice as bad.” -->

May Habib CEO, Writer.com

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A detailed guide to quoting

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Referencing with Direct Quote, Paraphrase, or Summary

Stephanie Ojeda Ponce

There are different ways you might make references to a source in your own writing. The main ways are described below.

Direct Quotes

illustration of orange quotation marks in two corners of a square outlined in pink

A direct quote might be most familiar to you—using quotation marks (“ ”) to indicate the moments that you’re borrowing, when you reproduce an author’s words verbatim in your own writing. Use a direct quote if someone else wrote or said something in a distinctive or particular way and you want to capture their words exactly. Direct quotes are good for establishing credibility and providing evidence.

Paraphrasing

Two open hands reaching towards one another with space in between

Paraphrasing is similar to the process of summary. When we paraphrase, we process information or ideas from another person’s text and put them in our own words. The main difference between paraphrase and summary is scope: if summarizing means rewording and condensing, then paraphrasing means rewording without drastically altering length. However, paraphrasing is also generally more faithful to the spirit of the original; whereas a summary requires you to process and invites your own perspective, a paraphrase ought to mirror back the original idea using your own language.

Paraphrasing is helpful for establishing background knowledge or general consensus, simplifying a complicated idea, or reminding your reader of a certain part of another text. It is also valuable when relaying statistics or historical information, both of which are usually more fluidly woven into your writing when spoken with your own voice.

A left hand writing in pencil on a page in an open notebook with a ribbon bookmark in the gutter and full lines of text.

Summary, as discussed earlier in this chapter, is useful for “broadstrokes” or quick overviews, brief references, and describing the state of knowledge. When you summarize, you reword and condense another author’s writing. Be aware, though, that summary also requires individual thought: when you reword, it should be a result of you processing the idea yourself, and when you condense, you must think critically about which parts of the text are most important.

Below, you can see three examples of these three tools. Consider how the direct quote, the paraphrase, and the summary each could be used to achieve different purposes.

Original Passage

“It has been suggested (again rather anecdotally) that giraffes do communicate using infrasonic vocalizations (the signals are verbally described to be similar—in structure and function—to the low-frequency, infrasonic “rumbles” of elephants). It was further speculated that the extensive frontal sinus of giraffes acts as a resonance chamber for infrasound production. Moreover, particular neck movements (e.g. the neck stretch) are suggested to be associated with the production of infrasonic vocalizations” (Baotic et al., 2015) .

Baotic, A., Sicks, F. & Stoeger, A.S. (2015). Nocturnal ‘Humming’ Vocalizations: Adding a Piece of the Puzzle of Giraffe Vocal Communication. BioMed Central Research Notes Vol . 8, no. 425. US National Library of Medicine. doi: 10.1186/s13104-015-1394-3.

This section has been adapted from  Chapter Five: Summary and Response  in  EmpoWORD: A Student-Centered Anthology and Handbook for College Writers  by Shane Abrams, licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Referencing with Direct Quote, Paraphrase, or Summary Copyright © 2023 by Stephanie Ojeda Ponce is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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  • Quoting Directly

by jleemcga | Aug 18, 2023 | Resources for Students , Writing Resources

What is quoting?

A direct quotation (often referred to as “quotes”) is the exact language taken from source material. Direct quotations match the source material word-for-word and must be contained within quotation marks, usually introduced with a “says” verb or integrated into your own sentence structure.

When should I quote?

It’s best to directly quote when you’re referencing an idea or example in a text that would lose meaning or impact if you were to change the wording. For example, if there is a certain vocabulary that feels necessary to accurately capture the text’s meaning, you should directly quote it. Or, if the author writes the idea in a particularly striking way that would lose affect if you were to reword it, you should directly quote it. Directly quoting other sources in your paper allows you to:

  • Present especially compelling ideas in the author’s own language
  • Underscore key words or phrases relevant to your topic
  • Make more specific connections between your evidence and analysis by examining exact language from the text

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  How do I directly quote?

To approach directly quoting a source, try the following steps:

  • Decide which quotations from the text are relevant, important, and/or helpful to your paper and why (writing notes for yourself about why you’re choosing these quotations will help you with developing your analysis for them later! 😊 It’s also helpful to note citation information as you go!)
  • Think about how you want to integrate your direct quotation into your writing— there’s a variety of ways to do this. You might use a classic TAG line, like “According to,” or you might bring quoted material into your own sentence structure. There are many ways to integrate quotations effectively, and it’s ideal to use variety to keep your writing fresh and interesting. For more guidance on how you can integrate direct quotations into your writing, view our handout on Integrating Direct Quotations Into Writing.
  • Be sure to use quotation marks around the exact passage you’re referencing from the text
  • Always cite at the end of the sentence containing the quoted material!

Examples of directly quoting

Here is an example of a writer directly quoting an excerpt of a passage from the source “Enter the Avatar: The Phenomenology of Prosthetic Telepresence in Computer Games” by Rune Klevjer in their essay about player participation and embodied experience in video games:

Klevjer addresses a tension that exists within the question of the avatar as either utilitarian or persona with the cursor analogy. According to Klevjer, the cursor analogy suggests that “the avatar is no more than a tool, a capacity for action, an instrument” that is often found in fighting games or franchises like Mario 64 (18).

Things to keep in mind when directly quoting

Some important things to remain mindful of while quoting in your assignments are:

  • Direct quotations should appear in your writing exactly as they do in the original source material— including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling
  • Remember to check if you’ve sandwiched your quoted material inside two quotation marks! It’s easy to forget to close the quotation when we’re in drafting mode, so it can be helpful to make this a part of your check list 😊
  • If you need to mark a misspelling or grammatical error in the original source material within your quotation, you can use [sic] beside the text to indicate you intentionally wrote it this way to match the source material. For example, if in the source material the author wrote, “The manuvers produced no results,” you can write: “The manuvers [sic] produced no results.”
  • Generally, it’s best to keep your quotations 1-2 lines at a time so that you don’t overwhelm your readers with a lot of quoted text. If your quotation is longer than 4 lines of text, you’ll need to use block quotation formatting
  • You can modify direct quotations as needed to omit irrelevant information (using ellipses) or clarify information by adding words (using square brackets). Your modifications should not change the original meaning of the author’s passage
  • Be judicious with your direct quotations! Your quotations should not be the star of your show; if your essay is a concert, you’re the headliner and your direct quotations are just your back-up singers; don’t let them outshine you— your readers will want to hear your voice the most throughout your paper 😊

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Practice in the Writing Center

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For more support and guidance on paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting, make an appointment with us here at the Writing Center! We’ll work with you on effectively integrating a variety of material into your writing and help you feel more confident pulling up a chair to the scholarly conversation 😊

For further reading:

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Direct Quotes vs. Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing: Know the Difference

  • Written By Lorraine Roberte
  • Updated: February 22, 2024

Knowing the differences between direct quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing is crucial no matter your occupation, from business owner to content marketer.

Why? Because it can prevent you from accidentally plagiarizing in the work you do for yourself and from breeching best practices.

Incorporating a mixture of these elements in your content can also help you tell a better story, so your audience keeps reading.

Direct quotes vs. paraphrasing vs. summarizing — understanding the difference

We’re breaking down the differences between direct quotes vs. paraphrasing and summarizing and how you can use them in your writing.

From press releases for your business to engaging blog posts for your target audience, you can make your writing more interesting by including trustworthy sources.

Direct Quotes

Direct quotes

Direct quotes include the exact words that someone said, with quotation marks and name attribution. They’re especially common when  writing about people .

Example: “Elon Musk said in a tweet that Starlink’s satellite broadband service coverage will be available on ‘most of Earth by end of year,’ although he noted that ‘cellular will always have the advantage in dense urban areas.'”

When to use direct quotes

According to the  APA style guide , you’ll need to use direct quotes when:

  • Copying an exact definition
  • The author’s words are memorable and succinct
  • Responding or reacting to someone’s exact words

How to use direct quotes

In general, direct quotes are written verbatim. But you can make these small changes without alerting your readers:

  • Changing the first letter of the quote to an upper or lowercase so that the quotation matches the context sentence’s syntax. Can also modify the punctuation at the end of the quote.
  • Swapping single quotation marks to double quotation marks and vice versa
  • Omitting footnote or endnote number references

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is when you restate someone else’s words, but not word for word.

Example (original quote): “It’s risky trusting employees as much as we do. Giving them as much freedom as we do. But it’s essential in creative companies where you have much greater risk from lack of innovation.” — Reed Hastings, Netflix CEO and co-founder . 

Example (paraphrase): “Netflix’s CEO and co-founder, Reed Hastings, feels that micromanaging workers can stifle innovation in creative businesses.”

When to paraphrase

It can be helpful to paraphrase if you want to keep your writing more conversational. It’s also useful when breaking up direct quotes or explaining the original source in simpler terms. That way, the information better fits the tone and style of your writing.

How to paraphrase

Paraphrasing involves putting a section of the source information entirely into your own words while staying true to its original meaning. You can link to the source in the place that makes the most sense, such as “report” for an industry report.

You can keep from  plagiarizing when paraphrasing  by using synonyms for words mentioned in the source. It’s important to restate phrases differently (even if they’re just a few words) to avoid the same sentence structure. If you don’t, you could still be plagiarizing, despite crediting the source.

If you use exact words from the original material while paraphrasing, you must put the word or words in quotes. The exception is generic terms that are difficult to find synonyms for.

Summarizing

Summarizing

When you summarize, you use your own words to describe the critical points of what someone else said or that you heard or read in a source.

Example (original quote): “In a diverse population of older patients who were hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure, an early, transitional, tailored, progressive rehabilitation intervention that included multiple physical-function domains resulted in greater improvement in physical function than usual care.” —  Study in the New England Journal of Medicine

Example (summary): “A recent study shows physical rehabilitation programs to be helpful for older populations with hospitalizations from heart failure.”

When to summarize

Summaries are excellent at giving readers the key insights they need from a longer text when proving your point. They also add context while keeping at a manageable length whatever  type of article  you’re writing.

How to summarize

You don’t need to include any quotes or attribution when summarizing, just a brief overview that often links back to the original material for more details. It may also introduce essential points from the original text, allowing readers to understand the source without clicking through it.

Now that you know the difference between direct quotes, paraphrasing, and summarizing, you can confidently write content for your business.

Need help creating engaging blog posts for your business? Talk to a content specialist at ClearVoice today about your needs.

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Using and Incorporating Sources

Examples of quotations and paraphrases.

Here are a couple examples of what we mean about properly quoting and paraphrasing evidence in your research essays.  In each case, we begin with a BAD example, or the way NOT to quote or paraphrase.

Quoting in APA Style

Consider this BAD example in APA style, of what NOT to do when quoting evidence:

“If the U.S. scallop fishery were a business, its management would surely be fired, because its revenues could readily be increased by at least 50 percent while its costs were being reduced by an equal percentage.” (Repetto, 2001, p. 84).

Again, this is a potentially valuable piece of evidence, but it simply isn’t clear what point the research writer is trying to make with it.  Further, it doesn’t follow the preferred method of citation with APA style.

Here is a revision that is a GOOD  (or at least BETTER )   example:

Repetto (2001) concludes that, in the case of the scallop industry, those running the industry should be held responsible for not considering methods that would curtail the problems of over-fishing.  If the U.S. scallop fishery were a business, its management would surely be fired, because its revenues could readily be increased by at least 50 percent while its costs were being reduced by an equal percentage (p. 84).

This revision is improved because the research writer has introduced and explained the point of the evidence with the addition of a clarifying sentence.  It also follows the rules of APA style.  Generally, APA style prefers that the research writer refer to the author only by last name followed immediately by the year of publication.  Whenever possible, you should begin your citation with the author’s last name and the year of publication, and, in the case of a direct quote like this passage, the page number (including the “p.”) in parentheses at the end.

Paraphrasing in APA Style

Paraphrasing in APA style is slightly different from MLA style as well.  Consider first this BAD example of what NOT to do in paraphrasing from a source in APA style:

Computer criminals have lots of ways to get away with credit card fraud (Cameron, 2002).

The main problem with this paraphrase is there isn’t enough here to adequately explain to the reader what the point of the evidence really is.  Remember: your readers have no way of automatically knowing why you as a research writer think that a particular piece of evidence is useful in supporting your point.  This is why it is key that you introduce and explain your evidence.

Here is a revision that is GOOD (or at least BETTER ):

Cameron (2002) points out that computer criminals intent on committing credit card fraud are able to take advantage of the fact that there aren’t enough officials working to enforce computer crimes.  Criminals are also able to use the technology to their advantage by communicating via email and chat rooms with other criminals.

Again, this revision is better because the additional information introduces and explains the point of the evidence.  In this particular example, the author’s name is also incorporated into the explanation of the evidence as well.  In APA, it is preferable to weave in the authors’ names into your essay, usually at the beginning of a sentence.  However, it would also have been acceptable to end an improved paraphrase with just the author’s last name and the date of publication in parentheses.

  • Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism. Authored by : Steven D. Krause . Located at : http://www.stevendkrause.com/tprw/chapter3.html . License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial

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APA 7: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

  • About Citations
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Paraphrasing vs. Directly Quoting

Paraphrase means to describe the ideas and words of another author in your own words . 

  • Your paraphrase must be sufficiently distinct from the original passage. Paraphrasing is not simply changing a word or two or rearranging the author's sentences (you might as well use the original passage in quotation marks).
  •  An effective paraphrase will convey the author's facts or conclusions accurately but in your own unique style.
  • Learn more about paraphrasing  from the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University.

Once you write a paraphrase, you must cite the original source of your information. Some students believe that it is only necessary to cite a source if they use a direct quote. Not true! Putting someone else's idea into your own words does not turn it into your own work. You must give the original author credit even when you paraphrase. Paraphrasing well shows that you understand the meaning of the original passage.

To directly quote   means to use the exact words and phrases of an author or creator.

  • Quotes must be reproduced word for word, with quotation marks " " around quotes of less than 40 words.
  • For long passages, use a block format (more on that below).
  • Most instructors will accept a few direct quotes in your paper, especially if the author defines a term or theory. In most cases, however, instructors want you to demonstrate how much you understand a work by putting the ideas in your own words. 

Need practice? Check out this guide from the American Psychological Association .

What's Included in This Guide?

Paraphrasing.

Directly Quoting

Citing with Page Numbers

Citing Without Page Numbers

Block Quotations

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While it is not necessary to include a page number or paragraph number when paraphrasing or summarizing another’s ideas, you can include a page or paragraph number for clarity. For additional information, see The Publication Manual, p. 269. We recommend that you check with your instructor for their requirement.

  • Use direct quotes sparingly. You’ll want to paraphrase sources in your own writing style.
  • Reproduce quotations exactly word for word.
  • Quotations of less than 40 words are enclosed by “double quotation marks” and incorporated into the text of your paragraph.
  • In the citation, include the author’s last name, publication year, and page or paragraph number.
  • For quotations over 40 words, use a block quotation following the guidelines below .

Citing Specific Parts of a Text or Exact Quotes – Sources with Page Numbers

When citing the printed original or the exact copy of a document (i.e., the .pdf version), include the page number when directly quoting. If you place your quote at the end of a sentence, end the quotation with double quotes, add the citation, then end the sentence with a period.

Citing Specific Parts of a Text or Exact Quotes - Sources Without Page Numbers

Sometimes page numbers are unavailable, such as on a web page or the text version of an article. Instead of p. for “page number,” count the paragraphs and use para. with the paragraph number. For example:  

(Jones, 2017, para. 5)

For sources with headings, refer to the closest section heading and then count the paragraphs:     

(Jones, 2017, Methods section) OR (Jones, 2017, Methods section, para. 6)

To create a block quotation (text of 40 words or more)

  • Start the quote on a new line indented one tab or five spaces
  • Indent the entire block of text
  • Double-space the entire block; make sure there are no extra blank lines before or after the block
  • Do not use quotation marks around the quote
  • To cite, include the author and date in the narrative before the quotation and end the block with the page number OR cite in parenthesis at the end of the block quote
  • DON'T end the quotation with a period
  • See  The Publication Manual,  pp. 272-273 for more information
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paraphrasing direct quotes examples

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Words that introduce Quotes or Paraphrases

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Remember that you are required to cite your sources for paraphrases and direct quotes. For more information on MLA Style, APA style, Chicago Style, ASA Style, CSE Style, and I-Search Format, refer to our Gallaudet TIP Citations and References  link.

Words that introduce Quotes or Paraphrases are basically three keys verbs:

  • Neutral Verbs( here )
  • Stronger Verbs( here )
  • Inference Verbs( here )

Neutral Verbs: When used to introduce a quote, the following verbs basically mean “says”

Examples of Neutral Verbs

The author  says. The author  notes. The author  believes. The author  observes. The author  comments. The author  relates. The author  declares. The author  remarks. The author  discusses. The author  reports. The author  explains. The author  reveals. The author  expresses. The author  states. The author  mentions. The author  acknowledges. The author  suggests. The author  thinks. The author  points out. The author  responds. The author  shows. The author  confirms.

Sample Sentences

  • Dr. Billow  says  that being exposed to television violence at a young age desensitizes children to violence in real life (author’s last name p.##).
  • As the author  notes , “In an ideal classroom, both gifted children and learning disabled children should feel challenged” (p.##).
  • Burdow  believes  that being able to write using proper English grammar is an important skill (author’s last name p.##).
  • Dr. Patel  observes  that “most people tend to respond well to hypnotherapy” (p. ##).
  • We see this self doubt again in the second scene, when Agatha comments , “Oh, times like this I just don’t know whether I am right or wrong, good or bad” (p. ##).
  • Goeff then relates  that his childhood was “the time he learned to live on less than bread alone” (p. ##).
  • The author declares , “All people, rich or poor, should pay the same taxes to the government” (p. ##).
  • Godfried remarks , “Ignorance is a skill learned by many of the greatest fools” (author’s last name p.##).
  • The article discusses the qualities of a good American housewife in the 1950s (author’s last name p.##).
  • After the war is over, the General reports that “It seemed a useless battle to fight even from the start” (p.##).
  • Danelli explains , “All mammals have hair” (p.##).
  • The author reveals his true feelings with his ironic remark that we should “just resort to cannibalism to defeat world hunger” (p. ##).
  • Forton expresses disapproval of the American welfare system (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • The author states that “More than fifty percent of all marriages end in divorce” (p. ##).
  • He also mentions , “Many children grow up feeling responsible for their parents’ mistakes” (p. ##).
  • Jones acknowledges that although the divorce rate is increasing, most young children still dream of getting married (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • The author suggests that we hone our English skills before venturing into the work force (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • The author thinks that the recent weather has been too hot (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Folsh points out that there were hundreds of people from varying backgrounds at the convention (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Julia Hertz responded to allegations that her company was aware of the faulty tires on their cars (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • His research shows that 7% of Americans suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Jostin’s research confirmed his earlier hypothesis: mice really are smarter than rats (author’s last, year, name p. ##).

Stronger Verbs: These verbs indicate that there is some kind of argument, and that the quote shows either support of or disagreement with one side of the argument.

Examples of Stronger Verbs The author agrees . . .The author rejects . The author argues . The author compares . (the two studies) The author asserts . The author admits . The author cautions . The author disputes . The author emphasizes . The author contends . The author insists . The author denies . The author maintains . The author refutes . The author claims . The author endorses .

Sample Sentences MLA Style

  • Despite criticism, Johnston agrees that smoking should be banned in all public places (author’s last name p.##).
  • The author argues that “subjecting non-smokers to toxic second-hand smoke is not only unfair, but a violation of their right to a safe environment” (p.##).
  • Vick asserts that “cigarette smoke is unpleasant, and dangerous” (p.##).
  • The author cautions that “people who subject themselves to smoky bars night after night could develop illnesses such as emphysema or lung cancer” (p.##).
  • Rosentrhaw emphasizes that “second-hand smoke can kill” (p.##).
  • Still, tobacco company executives insist that they “were not fully aware of the long term damages caused by smoking” when they launched their nationwide advertising campaign (author’s last name p.##).
  • Though bar owners disagree, Johnston maintains that banning smoking in all public places will not negatively affect bar business (author’s last name p.##).
  • Jefferson claims that banning smoking in public places will hurt America’s economy (author’s last name p.##).
  • Johnson refutes allegations that his personal finances have been in trouble for the past five years (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Whiley rejects the idea that the earth could have been formed by a massive explosion in space (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Lucci compares the house prices in Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Although they have stopped short of admitting that smoking causes cancer in humans, tobacco companies have admitted that “smoking causes cancer in laboratory rats” (p. ##).
  • For years, local residents have been disputing the plans to build a new highway right through the center of town (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Residents contend that the new highway will lower property values (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • The Department of Transportation denies claims that the new bridge will damage the fragile ecosystem of the Potomac River (author’s last name, year, p. ##).
  • Joley endorses the bridge, saying “our goal is to make this city more accessible to those who live outside of it” (p. ##).

Inference Verbs: These verbs indicate that there is some kind of argument, and that the quote shows either support of or disagreement with one side of the argument. Examples of Inference Verbs The author implies . The author suggests . The author thinks . Sample Sentences MLA Style

  • By calling them ignorant, the author implies that they were unschooled and narrow minded (author’s last name p.##).
  • Her preoccupation with her looks suggests that she is too superficial to make her a believable character (author’s last name p.##).
  • Based on his research, we can assume Hatfield thinks that our treatment of our environment has been careless (author’s last name p.##).

One phrase that is often used to introduce a quotation is: According to the author, . . .

  • According to the author, children with ADD have a shorter attention span than children without ADD (author’s last name, year, p. ##).

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Citing Your Sources

  • Understanding Plagiarism
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  • MLA 7th Edition This link opens in a new window
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  • Annotated Bibliographies
  • Quotating, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing
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Integrating Sources into Your Paper

Integrating sources into a paper can be challenging. How much of a source do you use? When should you use quotation marks? It is important to remember that you are the author of a paper, so sources are properly used to back up your own arguments, not state an argument in themselves, so how you use them depends on the structure of your paper and your argument.

Here is a paragraph from a scholarly article:

These results suggest that morning people, or early chronotypes—as measured on the morningness–eveningness continuum are more proactive than are evening types. Additionally, the misalignment of social and biological time, as assessed by the difference between rise times on weekdays and on free days, correlated with proactivity, suggesting that people with a high misalignment of social and biological time may be less able to act in a proactive manner, probably because of sleep delay. Their biological schedules seem not to fit neatly into social demands (e.g., school, university, work schedules) as do those of less misaligned people.

Randler, C. (2009). Proactive people are morning people. Journal of Applied Social Psychology , 39 (12), 2787-2797.

See examples of how to quote, paraphrase and summarize this paragraph below:

  • Use Quotation when you are repeating something from a source exactly word for word .
  • You should use quotation marks even if you are only taking just a few words from a source .
  • Quotes can help lend authority to an initial argument, but should not be relied upon too heavily in a paper. If you find yourself quoting an entire paragraph, a paraphrase or summary of that content may often be more appropriate.
  • Quotes can and should be used when the original author’s wording is unusual, unique, or memorably states a point.

Examples using the paragraph above:

Randler (2009) states that late risers have “a high misalignment of social and biological time” which results in a mismatch between their natural schedules and the normal workday (p. 2793).

“People with a high misalignment of social and biological time may be less able to act in a proactive manner, probably because of sleep delay” (Randler, 2009, p. 2793).

Notice that there are two ways to incorporate a source:

  • Singal phrase – using the author’s name in your own narrative, and then incorporating their idea or words into a sentence, like the first example above.
  • Direct quotation – Using the words or ideas of the source independently and adding the author’s name in the in-text citation, like in the second example.

Paraphrasing

  • Paraphrasing is taking the idea of a sentence or passage, and putting it into your own words .
  • Paraphrasing is NOT copying the sentence and replacing or changing a few words to be different from the original. (This is called “patchwriting” and may trigger plagiarism-detecting programs.)
  • You should paraphrase when the idea or point is more important than the actual words used.
  • You should paraphrase when the words are complex but the point is simple.
  • Paraphrasing should remain faithful to the original meaning of the material.

Randler (2009) states that people who are naturally morning people often also display traits that are considered proactive. He also suggests that late risers may not show as many proactive traits because they naturally operate on a different sleep schedule (p. 2793).

People who are naturally morning people have been shown to also display traits that are considered proactive, and late risers display fewer of these traits because they don’t get enough sleep on days when they have to go to work or school. (Randler, 2009, p. 2793).

Summarizing

  • As with paraphrasing, summarize when the idea or point is more important than the actual words used.
  • However, summary can also condense much more material – even an entire book or article.
  • Summary can often lead into your own points on the material.

Recent research shows that people who are not naturally early risers often have persistent issues adjusting themselves to the morning-oriented schedule of most schools and workplaces, and because of this may be less proactive in their behaviors (Randler, 2009).

The natural alignment of sleep schedules to work and school schedules allows early risers to have more energy and display proactive traits, while people who are natural late risers, and thus often combating sleep delay in adhering to regular schedules, display fewer of these traits (Randler, 2009).

Notice that with a Summary we do not always have to include the page number as we are summarizing the findings from the whole study, rather than just a small part of it.

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

In-Text Citations: The Basics

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Note:  This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), which released in October 2019. The equivalent resource for the older APA 6 style  can be found here .

Reference citations in text are covered on pages 261-268 of the Publication Manual. What follows are some general guidelines for referring to the works of others in your essay.

Note:  On pages 117-118, the Publication Manual suggests that authors of research papers should use the past tense or present perfect tense for signal phrases that occur in the literature review and procedure descriptions (for example, Jones (1998)  found  or Jones (1998)  has found ...). Contexts other than traditionally-structured research writing may permit the simple present tense (for example, Jones (1998)  finds ).

APA Citation Basics

When using APA format, follow the author-date method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the year of publication for the source should appear in the text, like, for example, (Jones, 1998). One complete reference for each source should appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

If you are referring to an idea from another work but  NOT  directly quoting the material, or making reference to an entire book, article or other work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication and not the page number in your in-text reference.

On the other hand, if you are directly quoting or borrowing from another work, you should include the page number at the end of the parenthetical citation. Use the abbreviation “p.” (for one page) or “pp.” (for multiple pages) before listing the page number(s). Use an en dash for page ranges. For example, you might write (Jones, 1998, p. 199) or (Jones, 1998, pp. 199–201). This information is reiterated below.

Regardless of how they are referenced, all sources that are cited in the text must appear in the reference list at the end of the paper.

In-text citation capitalization, quotes, and italics/underlining

  • Always capitalize proper nouns, including author names and initials: D. Jones.
  • If you refer to the title of a source within your paper, capitalize all words that are four letters long or greater within the title of a source:  Permanence and Change . Exceptions apply to short words that are verbs, nouns, pronouns, adjectives, and adverbs:  Writing New Media ,  There Is Nothing Left to Lose .

( Note:  in your References list, only the first word of a title will be capitalized:  Writing new media .)

  • When capitalizing titles, capitalize both words in a hyphenated compound word:  Natural-Born Cyborgs .
  • Capitalize the first word after a dash or colon: "Defining Film Rhetoric: The Case of Hitchcock's  Vertigo ."
  • If the title of the work is italicized in your reference list, italicize it and use title case capitalization in the text:  The Closing of the American Mind ;  The Wizard of Oz ;  Friends .
  • If the title of the work is not italicized in your reference list, use double quotation marks and title case capitalization (even though the reference list uses sentence case): "Multimedia Narration: Constructing Possible Worlds;" "The One Where Chandler Can't Cry."

Short quotations

If you are directly quoting from a work, you will need to include the author, year of publication, and page number for the reference (preceded by "p." for a single page and “pp.” for a span of multiple pages, with the page numbers separated by an en dash).

You can introduce the quotation with a signal phrase that includes the author's last name followed by the date of publication in parentheses.

If you do not include the author’s name in the text of the sentence, place the author's last name, the year of publication, and the page number in parentheses after the quotation.

Long quotations

Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. Type the entire quotation on the new margin, and indent the first line of any subsequent paragraph within the quotation 1/2 inch from the new margin. Maintain double-spacing throughout, but do not add an extra blank line before or after it. The parenthetical citation should come after the closing punctuation mark.

Because block quotation formatting is difficult for us to replicate in the OWL's content management system, we have simply provided a screenshot of a generic example below.

This image shows how to format a long quotation in an APA seventh edition paper.

Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style.

Quotations from sources without pages

Direct quotations from sources that do not contain pages should not reference a page number. Instead, you may reference another logical identifying element: a paragraph, a chapter number, a section number, a table number, or something else. Older works (like religious texts) can also incorporate special location identifiers like verse numbers. In short: pick a substitute for page numbers that makes sense for your source.

Summary or paraphrase

If you are paraphrasing an idea from another work, you only have to make reference to the author and year of publication in your in-text reference and may omit the page numbers. APA guidelines, however, do encourage including a page range for a summary or paraphrase when it will help the reader find the information in a longer work. 

VIDEO

  1. HOW TO PARAPHRASE

  2. DIRECT QUOTES SAMPLE

  3. Paraphrasing as a Scientific Writing

  4. Paraphrase

  5. Paraphrasing and Direct Quotes

  6. Paraphrasing work

COMMENTS

  1. How to Paraphrase

    Paraphrasing means putting someone else's ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing a source involves changing the wording while preserving the original meaning. Paraphrasing is an alternative to quoting (copying someone's exact words and putting them in quotation marks ). In academic writing, it's usually better to integrate sources by ...

  2. Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

    Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing. This handout is intended to help you become more comfortable with the uses of and distinctions among quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. This handout compares and contrasts the three terms, gives some pointers, and includes a short excerpt that you can use to practice these skills.

  3. Direct quotes, paraphrasing and in-text citation

    A paraphrase is using someone else's quote in your own words. Also known as an indirect quote, it documents what a person has said without using the exact words of the speaker. Quotation marks are not used when paraphrasing. An example of a paraphrase of the direct quote in the previous example from Sir David Attenborough may be:

  4. Direct Quotations and Paraphrasing Explained

    You can use direct quotations or paraphrasing to include someone else's writing or speech in your own writing. Direct quotations can be formatted as run-in or block quotations. Today's post explains direct quotations and paraphrasing in more detail…and you can quote me on that! ... The in-text citation in the example above ...

  5. Quoting, Paraphrasing, & Summarizing

    It is not uncommon to have only 1 or 2 (or even zero) direct quotes in an academic paper, with paraphrased information being used instead. Some common examples of when you might quote instead of paraphrase include: using exact statistics or numerical data; when writing about literature and providing textual evidence from the poem, story, etc.

  6. Use Your Words: Paraphrasing, Direct Quotes, and Summarizing

    Review your paraphrase checking that it accurately reflects the original text but is in your words and style. Record the original source (including the page number) so that you can provide a reference. When to paraphrase. Paraphrase short sections of work only; a sentence or two or a short paragraph. As an alternative to a direct quotation.

  7. APA 7 Citation Style: Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, Summarizing

    Paraphrasing . Paraphrasing means putting the information you could have quoted into your own words, but keeping the intention of the original source. Paraphrases do not have quotation marks because you are using your own words, yet still must include an in-text citation at the end of the part you are paraphrasing. Summarizing

  8. Direct quotes in APA Style

    A direct quote is a piece of text copied word-for-word from a source. You may quote a word, phrase, sentence, or entire passage. There are three main rules for quoting in APA Style: If the quote is under 40 words, place it in double quotation marks. If the quote is 40 words or more, format it as a block quote.

  9. Paraphrasing and Direct Quotations

    When you paraphrase or summarise you express somebody else's ideas or theories in your own words. Paraphrasing is not a direct quote, so there is no need to include quotation marks or page numbers. List the name(s) of the author(s) and the date of publication directly after the paraphrase. Example (see above): Miller et al., 2010. Direct Quote

  10. Paraphrasing & Direct Quotations

    Paraphrasing means to take the words of others and put them into your own words. Too many direct quotations, for example, pushes out comprehension or reflection of a research subject. Paraphrased words still require a citation by putting the author's name within the paragraph or at the end of the sentence. Sometimes it's better to quote the ...

  11. Paraphrasing

    Some examples to compare. Note that the examples in this section use MLA style for in-text citation. The original passage: Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter.

  12. How to paraphrase (including examples)

    Paraphrasing is simple when you break it down into a series of steps. Here are the 6 steps you can use to paraphrase your sources: 1. Choose a reputable source. First, you need to pick a credible source to paraphrase. A credible source will likely have ideas and concepts that are worth repeating.

  13. PDF Examples of Using Direct Quotes, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

    Examples of Using Direct Quotes, ... • Use a signal or identifying phrase that tells who and what you are paraphrasing • Use the same ideas as in the original text • Use your own words when phrasing. In most cases, avoid using any of the same wording that the author used unless you put a key term in quotation marks. ...

  14. Referencing with Direct Quote, Paraphrase, or Summary

    Below, you can see three examples of these three tools. Consider how the direct quote, the paraphrase, and the summary each could be used to achieve different purposes. Original Passage "It has been suggested (again rather anecdotally) that giraffes do communicate using infrasonic vocalizations (the signals are verbally described to be ...

  15. How to Paraphrase (Without Plagiarizing a Thing)

    1 Use synonyms. Replace the essential words of an original passage with other words that mean the same thing, such as using "scientist" for "researcher," or "seniors" for "the elderly.". This is a common approach to paraphrasing, but it's not sufficient on its own. Combine this strategy with some of the others below to make ...

  16. Direct quotations

    What is quoting? A direct quotation (often referred to as "quotes") is the exact language taken from source material. Direct quotations match the source material word-for-word and must be contained within quotation marks, usually introduced with a "says" verb or integrated into your own sentence structure.

  17. Direct Quotes vs. Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing Explained

    Paraphrasing. Paraphrasing is when you restate someone else's words, but not word for word. Example (original quote): "It's risky trusting employees as much as we do. Giving them as much freedom as we do. But it's essential in creative companies where you have much greater risk from lack of innovation.".

  18. Examples of Quotations and Paraphrases

    Whenever possible, you should begin your citation with the author's last name and the year of publication, and, in the case of a direct quote like this passage, the page number (including the "p.") in parentheses at the end. Paraphrasing in APA Style. Paraphrasing in APA style is slightly different from MLA style as well.

  19. Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

    APA 7: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting. Paraphrase means to describe the ideas and words of another author in your own words. Your paraphrase must be sufficiently distinct from the original passage. Paraphrasing is not simply changing a word or two or rearranging the author's sentences (you might as well use the original passage in quotation marks).

  20. Quotations

    Use direct quotations rather than paraphrasing: when reproducing an exact definition (see Section 6.22 of the Publication Manual), when an author has said something memorably or succinctly, or; ... See an example in Section 8.27 of the Publication Manual. Either (a) cite the source in parentheses after the quotation's final punctuation or (b ...

  21. Words that introduce Quotes or Paraphrases

    For more information on MLA Style, APA style, Chicago Style, ASA Style, CSE Style, and I-Search Format, refer to our Gallaudet TIP Citations and References link. Words that introduce Quotes or Paraphrases are basically three keys verbs: Neutral Verbs: When used to introduce a quote, the following verbs basically mean "says".

  22. Quotating, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

    Direct quotation - Using the words or ideas of the source independently and adding the author's name in the in-text citation, like in the second example. Paraphrasing (This is called "patchwriting" and may trigger plagiarism-detecting programs.)

  23. In-Text Citations: The Basics

    Place direct quotations that are 40 words or longer in a free-standing block of typewritten lines and omit quotation marks. Start the quotation on a new line, indented 1/2 inch from the left margin, i.e., in the same place you would begin a new paragraph. ... Formatting example for block quotations in APA 7 style. ... If you are paraphrasing an ...

  24. Direct Quotation of Material Without Page Numbers

    Direct quotations of material without page numbers are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 8.28 and ... and line(s). In the following example, "1.3.36-37" refers to Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 36 and 37. In Much Ado About Nothing, Don John said, "In the meantime / let me be that I am and seek ...