A Guide to Citing Paraphrased Text in APA and MLA

When you write something using another person’s idea, you must give them credit. This is called citing. 

Even when you change the words and write in your own way, the main idea still belongs to the original writer. This is known as paraphrasing. 

In this guide, we will learn how to cite paraphrased text in both APA and MLA styles in simple steps.

What Does It Mean to Paraphrase?

Paraphrasing means expressing someone else’s idea in your own words. You keep the same meaning, but do not copy the exact words. Check out this simple example:

Original text: Reading helps children improve their imagination and vocabulary.

Paraphrased text: When kids read often, they become more creative and learn new words.

The meaning stays the same, so even though the wording is different, you must still give credit to the source.

Why Should You Cite Paraphrased Text?

You must cite paraphrased text for a few simple reasons:

• It gives credit to the original author.

• It helps you avoid plagiarism, which means using someone’s work without permission.

• It shows honesty in your writing.

• It helps readers find the source if they want to read more about it.

Is Paraphrasing the Same as Quoting

No, they are not the same. When you quote, you copy the exact words and use quotation marks. 

When you paraphrase, you use your own words and do not use quotation marks, but you still cite the source.

So even if you are not quoting directly, you still must cite the author.

How to Cite Paraphrased Text in APA Style

The APA format is commonly used in academic writing. It requires the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses after the paraphrased idea. You can also include the page number if it helps the reader locate the original idea.

Basic format

(Author, Year, p. Page Number)

Example

Paraphrased text: Reading helps students develop empathy and imagination.

Citation: (Smith, 2021)

With page number: (Smith, 2021, p. 45)

Steps for Citing in APA

• Read the original text carefully and understand its meaning.

• Rewrite the idea in your own words without copying the sentence structure.

• After your paraphrased sentence, add the in-text citation in the form (Author, Year).

• Add the full source information in the References section at the end of your paper.

Example of a full APA reference

Smith, J. (2021). The Power of Reading in Early Education. Green Leaf Press.

How to Cite Paraphrased Text in MLA Style?

The MLA format is mostly used in literature, language, and the arts. 

It requires the author’s last name and the page number in parentheses after the paraphrased sentence.

Basic format

(Author Page)

Example

Paraphrased text: Reading stories allows children to think in new and creative ways.

Citation: (Smith 45)

Steps for Citing in MLA

• Write the idea using your own words.

• Add the in-text citation in the form (Author Page).

• Add the full source information in the Works Cited section at the end of your paper.

Example of a full MLA citation

Smith, John. The Power of Reading in Early Education. Green Leaf Press, 2021.

Main Differences Between APA and MLA Paraphrasing

Here is a simple comparison between APA and MLA styles.

In short, APA focuses more on the date of the source, while MLA focuses more on the page number.

Do You Always Need Page Numbers in APA Paraphrasing?

In APA style, adding a page number for paraphrased text is not required, but it is helpful when it makes it easier for readers to find the idea. 

In MLA style, however, page numbers are always included when they are available.

How to Know When to Cite a Source?

It can sometimes be confusing to know when you need to cite something. 

Here is a quick way to check.

• If it is a fact that everyone knows, you do not need to cite it. For example, Earth revolves around the Sun.

• If it is someone’s idea, research, or opinion, you must cite it.

• If you learned it from a specific book, article, or website, you must cite it.

When in doubt, it is always better to cite the source.

What Happens If You Do Not Cite Paraphrased Text?

If you forget or choose not to cite paraphrased text, it counts as plagiarism. 

This means you are taking credit for someone else’s work. 

Plagiarism is taken seriously in schools and workplaces. It can lead to losing marks or even more serious problems. 

Always give credit to the original writer to stay safe and honest.

Tips for Writing and Citing Paraphrases

• Always change both the words and the sentence structure.

• Keep the meaning of the original text the same.

• Add the correct in-text citation right after the paraphrased idea.

• Make sure your reference or works cited list matches the in-text citations.

• Read your paraphrased text again to make sure it sounds natural and clear.

Use Paraphraser.us to Help You Paraphrase Correctly

If you find it hard to rewrite text without losing the meaning, you can use an online tool like Paraphraser.us!

It helps you reword sentences clearly while keeping the original message the same. 

This tool is easy to use and gives you quick results that sound natural and readable. You can paste your text into the box, choose the mode you like, and get a cleaner and more original version in seconds.

Many students and writers use the academic paraphrasing mode to make their work unique before adding citations in APA or MLA style. It saves time and helps you avoid plagiarism while keeping your writing smooth and easy to understand.

Conclusion

Paraphrasing shows that you understand the original text and can explain it in your own words. But you must always give credit to the original author. Remember these basic rules.

• In APA, write the author’s last name, the year, and the page number if needed. 

• In MLA, write the author’s last name and the page number. 

When you follow these simple steps, your writing will be honest, clear, and professional. It also helps your readers trust your work and understand where your ideas come from.

Learning how to cite paraphrased text is easy when you practice. Always remember, changing the words does not change the fact that the idea belongs to someone else. 

Give credit, stay original, and write with confidence!