Knowing how to paraphrase is one of the most useful skills in academic writing. A paraphrase restates an idea from a source in your own words and your own sentence structure. It shows that you understand the source, and it keeps your paper in your own voice.
This guide explains how to paraphrase in six steps, with before-and-after examples. It also compares paraphrasing with quoting and summarizing, shows how to cite a paraphrase and lists the mistakes that lead to accidental plagiarism. All sample sentences are invented. For the rules on credit, read our academic integrity policy. For citation patterns, see APA in text citation.
Quick answer: To paraphrase, read the passage until you understand it, close the source, write the idea in your own words and sentence structure, compare your version with the original and add a citation. A good paraphrase keeps the meaning, changes the wording and the structure and gives credit. Changing a few words is not enough.
Key Takeaways
- A paraphrase restates one idea in your own words and structure.
- It is about the same length as the original, not shorter.
- Understand the passage first, and then write without looking at it.
- Always cite the source, even when the words are your own.
- Swapping synonyms is not a paraphrase.
How to Paraphrase: Paraphrase, Quote or Summary?
| Method | What it does | Length | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paraphrase | Restates one idea in your words | About the same as the original | The idea matters, but the wording does not |
| Quotation | Copies the exact words | The same as the original | The wording itself is important |
| Summary | Condenses the main points | Much shorter | You need a broad overview |
All three need a citation. A paraphrase and a summary use your words, but the ideas still belong to the source.
How to Paraphrase in 6 Steps
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Read the passage carefully, until you understand it. |
| 2 | Note the main idea in a few words. |
| 3 | Put the source away. |
| 4 | Write the idea in your own words and sentence structure. |
| 5 | Compare your version with the original, and fix any meaning errors or copied phrases. |
| 6 | Add a citation. |
The key step is step 3. When you write without the source in front of you, you are forced to use your own words.
How to Paraphrase: A Before-and-After Example
| Version | Text |
|---|---|
| Original | “Teenagers who start school before 8:00 a.m. report sleeping about an hour less each night than those who start after 8:30, and they are more likely to be late or absent.” |
| Weak paraphrase (too close) | Teenagers who begin school before 8:00 a.m. say they sleep about an hour less every night than those who begin after 8:30, and they are more likely to be absent or late. |
| Strong paraphrase | Students at schools with early bells lose roughly an hour of sleep and miss more class than students at schools that start later (Chen, 2023). |
The weak version keeps the same order and nearly the same words. The strong version changes the structure and keeps the meaning. It also adds a citation.
How to Paraphrase: Techniques That Work
| Technique | Example |
|---|---|
| Change the sentence structure | “Lack of sleep causes poor grades” becomes “Poor grades often follow a lack of sleep.” |
| Start from a different point | Begin with the result, not the cause. |
| Split a long sentence | Break it into two shorter ones. |
| Combine short sentences | Join related ideas. |
| Use the active voice | “The study found…” not “It was found by the study…” |
| Replace phrases, not just words | Restate the idea, not each term. |
Some terms cannot change, such as technical terms and proper names. Keep those, and change the rest.
How to Paraphrase: Citing a Paraphrase
| Style | In-text example |
|---|---|
| APA | Students at schools with early bells lose about an hour of sleep (Chen, 2023). |
| MLA | Students at schools with early bells lose about an hour of sleep (Chen 38). |
| Chicago | Students at schools with early bells lose about an hour of sleep.¹ |
APA does not require a page number for a paraphrase, but it encourages one. MLA requires the page. See MLA format in text citation and Chicago style citation in text for the details.
How to Paraphrase: When Not to Paraphrase
| Situation | Better choice |
|---|---|
| The exact wording is the point | Quote it |
| A definition or a law | Quote it |
| A very short fact | State it with a citation |
| A long argument | Summarize it |
| Common knowledge | No citation is needed |
Do not paraphrase too much. A paper made of paraphrases has no voice of its own. Use sources to support your ideas, not to replace them.
How to Paraphrase a Paragraph
A paragraph has several ideas. Follow these steps.
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Read the whole paragraph. |
| 2 | List the key ideas in order. |
| 3 | Write each idea in your own words. |
| 4 | Combine them in a new order if it helps. |
| 5 | Add one citation at the end, or after each idea if the ideas come from different pages. |
If the paraphrase is longer than the source, you may be adding your own opinion. Keep your opinion separate.
Common Mistakes When You Paraphrase
- Swapping synonyms only. Change the structure, too.
- Keeping the same sentence order. Start from a different point.
- Forgetting the citation. Cite every paraphrase.
- Changing the meaning. Compare with the original.
- Copying a distinctive phrase. Use quotation marks if you keep it.
- Paraphrasing from memory with no source noted. Keep notes with page numbers.
- Using a paraphrasing tool and pasting the result. Tools can distort meaning and still need a citation.
- Over-paraphrasing. Add your own analysis.
How to Paraphrase: Checklist
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Does it say the same thing as the original? |
| Words | Did I use my own words? |
| Structure | Did I change the sentence structure? |
| Quotes | Did I put any copied phrase in quotation marks? |
| Citation | Did I cite the source? |
| Voice | Does it fit the rest of my paper? |
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Paraphrase
What does it mean to paraphrase?
It means to restate an idea from a source in your own words and structure.
How do I paraphrase without plagiarizing?
Understand the idea, write it without looking at the source and cite the source.
Do I have to cite a paraphrase?
Yes. The idea still belongs to the source.
Is changing a few words enough?
No. You must change the structure as well.
How long should a paraphrase be?
About the same length as the original passage.
What is the difference between a paraphrase and a summary?
A paraphrase restates one idea at a similar length. A summary shortens several ideas.
Can I use a paraphrasing tool?
Tools can help you see other wordings, but you must check the meaning and cite the source.
Do I need a page number?
MLA requires one. APA encourages one.
Understand, Rewrite, Cite
To paraphrase well, understand the passage, write the idea in your own words and structure, compare it with the original and cite the source. Do not rely on synonyms alone. Check your work against the list above before you submit.
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Information only. This guide is general educational information. It is not professional advice, and Papers Open is not affiliated with any school, college or university. Follow your instructor's requirements. See our disclaimer and academic integrity policy.