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Paraphrasing in MLA

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill. It allows you to seamlessly integrate another person’s ideas into your work, and it is the preferred way to integrate most research information into a paper.

In addition to writing a good paraphrase, you must also include a citation with the paraphrase. One effective way to do this is by using MLA in-text citations .

But first, let’s define paraphrasing.

What is a paraphrase? Why is it beneficial?

• A paraphrase is a piece of information written in a new way after reading and analyzing a source.
• A paraphrase translates the main ideas of a passage into a new passage that uses your own words and perspective.
• A paraphrase lets you control what point or information is highlighted.
• A paraphrase allows you turn a long passage into a condensed, focused passage.
• Direct quotes are helpful, but paraphrasing allows you show that you truly understand a work. Think about it: Is it easier to quote a source or paraphrase?

What does MLA have to do with it?

Academic integrity is extremely important, and a paraphrase allows you to use someone’s ideas efficiently in your work…but that is only part of the work. In order to stay ethical, you’ll also need include an in-text citation. That’s where MLA style comes in.

An MLA in-text citation gives appropriate credit to the original source. By following the guidelines of the MLA style and including an accurate citation, you can avoid accusations of plagiarism.

MLA stands for the Modern Language Association, which is a scholarly association dedicated to the study and advancement of languages. The MLA style comes from their published MLA Handbook , which provides rules and guidelines on research and writing. The latest update to the MLA style occurred in 2021, and careful consideration needs to be paid to these guidelines.

Although there are other styles of research and writing, MLA is the primary style guide for humanities, language, and literature in the United States.

How to paraphrase

Steps in paraphrasing.

• Read the original source material carefully. It is always a good idea to read it more than once so you can paraphrase accurately.
• Consider why the source was written, when it was written, who it was written by, and who the target audience was.
• What were the key ideas or points communicated?
• What is the key point you want to highlight from the source?
• What other contextual facts about the source do you think are important to include?
• Based on your notes, put together a paraphrase.
• Next, take a minute to double check your paraphrase against the original to ensure that you have used your own writing style.
• Finally, add an MLA in-text citation.

How to add an MLA in-text citation

In order to give credit for ideas that are not yours, citing is key. According the MLA, after you create a paraphrase, you should include an in-text citation with the paraphrase. In addition to the short, in-text citation, a full reference of the source should be included on your Works Cited page. This article will focus only on the in-text citation, but see this guide for more information on MLA works cited citations.

An MLA in-text citation can be done in two ways:

• Parenthetical

Both approaches require you to know the following:

• Last name of the author
• Page number

Parenthetical citation

One way to cite in the text is to use a parenthetical citation after the paraphrase. This includes putting the author’s last name and page number where you found the information at the end of the sentence, before the final period.

Using a website as a source? Note that if a source does not have page numbers, you do not have to include the page number in your parenthetical citation.

Parenthetical in-text citation structure:

Paraphrase (Author Last Name Page #)

Parenthetical example:

I kept pounding on the doors ’til my hands hurt and I woke up the dogs (Bronte 12).

Place that end punctuation carefully! Note that there is no period at the end of the sentence, but the period is outside the parentheses. Also, there is no comma between the author’s last name and the page number.

Citation in prose

A citation in prose means that you include the author’s last name within the page text and the page number at the end of the sentence in parentheses. A citation in prose would look like this:

Citation in prose citation structure:

Paraphrase with Author Last Name (Page #)

In-prose example:

Bronte explains how Lockwood kept pounding on the doors until his hands began to hurt and he woke up the dogs (12).

Example of how to paraphrase

Here is a piece of text taken from the novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”

Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent. This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her inferiority—of its being a degradation—of the family obstacles which had always opposed to inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding, but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.

A paraphrase of the above would go something like this:

Mr. Darcy had meant to communicate that he loved Elizabeth, but in the end all he managed to do was communicate all the reasons he had fought against his feelings for her (Austen 390).

Notice the benefits of paraphrasing here?

• The paraphrase is (thankfully) much shorter than the full excerpt.
• The paraphrase writer could have mentioned several different ideas and points. Instead, paraphrasing allowed the writer to focus on the main point they wanted to highlight.
• The paraphrase demonstrates the writer’s deep understanding of what was communicated in the original passage.

Also, as mentioned previously, every in-text citation needs to have a matching, full citation in the Works Cited page. Here is the full citation for the above example:

Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice . 1813. Project Gutenberg , 2008, www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42671.

How NOT to paraphrase

When you paraphrase, do not do the follow:

• Use most of the same words and switch out a few words for synonyms.
• Use most of the same words and change the sentence order a little.
• Take key phrases from the sentences and put them into a new paragraph without quoting them.
• Create a good paraphrase but forget to include an in-text citation.
• Create a good paraphrase but cite the wrong source.

Other MLA considerations

The Modern Language Association advises that summaries, paraphrases, and direct quotations can all be used to back up your argument. However, direct quotations should be used infrequently. Try to save them for experts who are speaking on the topic.

Although you are putting a paraphrase into your own words, you still need to cite it because the ideas are not your own. MLA style asks for the author’s last name and the page number where you found the information.

Key takeaways

• The ability to paraphrase is of the utmost importance in regard to academic integrity.
• To paraphrase well, read the original a few times, consider the context, jot down the key ideas, compose your paraphrase, compare your paraphrase to the original, and add an in-text citation.
• The MLA advises using in-text citations in order to give proper credit to a paraphrase’s original source.

Published October 28, 2020. Updated July 18, 2021.

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What is a Paraphrase

5 steps to effective paraphrasing, use paraphrase indicators to..., how to paraphrase video.

A  paraphrase  translates the source’s words into your own voice and your own words. If you copy three or more words in a row, you must put those words in quotation marks and name the source. Just like a quotation, a paraphrase is always cited in your paper and on a separate page at the end.

• Read your passage until you comprehend its full meaning. As you read, jot  down bullet points on the facts or opinions presented, but do not copy "word for word" without using quotation marks. 
• Put your passage aside, and write out your paraphrase in full sentences. Try u sing the notecard feature in NoodleTools and view your notes in 'detail view'.
• Check your version with the original to ensure accuracy. Make any corrections about facts or details. 
• Use quotation marks to identify any unique phrases that you may have used directly from the source. The 'detail view' in NoodleTools lets you look at the original passage with your paraphrase below it to easily compare.   
• Record the source and page number so that you can refer back to it later when creating your citations.

Adapted from the Purdue Online Writing Lab's Guide to Paraphrasing .

• Present research as fact
• Demonstrate analysis
• Support ideas
• Question an idea

When an author has conducted valid research via scientific methods and data collection, their findings may be presented as evidence of fact. Evaluate the credibility of your source (author's credentials + research methodology), then introduce your paraphrase using assertive language such as:

According to  Cowell....

Brovick  shows  …, gard  finds/found  that…, hatton  has determined ....

* Special thanks to Lora Cowell and Nancy Florio for permission to use this information.

Scholars use evidence gathered through research to develop theories. This interpretation of findings is not always black and white. If an author's interpretation is debatable, present their ideas as "analysis or opinion." You can begin the paraphrase of such ideas with phrases such as:

Moberg hypothesizes …

Scott  maintains  that…, van berkum  predicts …, butterfield  suggests ….

Use multiple credible authors to support and strengthen your arguments. Be sure that the authors are agreeing with the idea based on their own analysis and expertise. Start by paraphrasing the original idea (with citation), following with a paraphrase of agreement, such as:  

Miller  acknowledges …

Parker  confirms ..., andrews  verifies ..., fritz  substantiates ....

Controversial topics generate multiple viewpoints. Acknowledge viewpoints that oppose your main thesis and then COUNTER with evidence or interpretations to support the opposing view. Introduce the opposing viewpoint with a phrase such as:   

Anderson  argues …

Parker  contends ...

Speigle  disagrees ..., jenkins  responds ….

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Paraphrasing  is summarizing someone else's original ideas or findings in your own words. Use paraphrasing to avoid excessive use of quotations or to combine multiple ideas or findings into a single sentence.

Always cite  the ideas or findings of others even when paraphrasing them in your own words. It is plagiarism to paraphrase someone else's ideas or findings without giving them credit.

Example of a Paraphrase

Quote: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." (Kennedy, Inaugural Address , 1961)

Paraphrase: Kennedy advised us to give back to our country, not just take from it. (1961, Inaugural Address )

Cite both! 

How to Paraphrase

 practice paraphrasing.

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MLA Citation Style 7th Edition: Quotes & Paraphrasing

• Quotes & Paraphrasing
• Works Cited Guidelines
• A. One Author
• B. Two or Three Authors
• C. More than Three Authors
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• C. Musical Composition
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• A. Work of Art
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• D. Indirect Sources
• E. Scripture
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Quotes & Paraphrasing: Parenthetical (In Text) Citations

Numbers in parentheses refer to specific pages in the MLA 7th Edition manual.

How to Cite a Direct Quote (92-105)

When you incorporate a direct quotation into a sentence, you must cite the source. Fit quotations within your sentences, making sure the sentences are grammatically correct:

e.g. Gibaldi indicates, “Quotations are effective in research papers when used selectively” (109). Remember that “[q]uotations are effective in research papers when used selectively” (Gibaldi 109).

If the quotation will run to more than 4 lines in your paper, you must use a block format in which the quotation is indented 1 inch from the left margin, double spaced with no quotation marks.

How to Cite after Paraphrasing

Even if you put information in your own words by summarizing or paraphrasing, you must cite the original author or researcher as well as the page or paragraph number(s). For example, a paraphrase of Gibaldi’s earlier quotation might be identified as follows:

Within the research paper, quotations will have more impact when used judiciously (Gibaldi 109).

For more tips on paraphrasing check out The Owl at Purdue .

How to Cite Information When You Have Not Seen the Original Source (226)

Sometimes an author writes about research that someone else has done, but you are unable to track down the original research report. In this case, because you did not read the original report, you will include only the source you did consult in the Works Cited list. The abbreviation “qtd.” in the parenthetical reference indicates you have not read the original research.

How to Cite Information If No Page Numbers Are Available (220-222)

If a resource contains no page numbers, as can be the case with electronic sources, then you cannot include a page number in the parentheses. However, if the source indicates paragraph numbers, use the abbreviation “par.” or “pars.” and the relevant numbers in the parentheses.

One website describes these specific dragons (King). A solution was suggested in 1996 (Pangee, pars. 12-18).

How to Cite Two or More Works by the Same Author or Authors (225)

When citing one of two or more works by the same author(s), put a comma after the author’s last name and add the title of the work (if brief) or a shortened version of the title and the relevant page number.

How to Cite if the Author's Name is Unavailable (223-224)

Use the title of the article or book or Web source, including the appropriate capitalization and quotation marks/italics format.

e.g. (“Asthma Rates Increasing” 29).

How to Cite Poetry (95-96)

When citing 2-3 lines of poetry, you would insert a " / " (without the quotes) between the lines.

When citing more than three lines of poetry, you would start the quotation on a new line and indent each of the lines one inch from the left margin.

How to Cite Plays (96-97)

When referencing the lines of only one character, follow the guidelines for poetry and prose.

When quoting a conversation between two or more characters in a play, start the quote on a new line, indented one inch from the left margin.

Write the name of the first speaker in capital letters, followed by a period and the speaker's line(s). Do the same for the next speaker or speakers as necessary.

If the quote you are using for one of the speakers continues onto another line, it is indented an additional quarter inch.

DESDEMONA. Shall I deny you? No. Farewell, my lord. (3.3.83-85)

How to Cite when you are Altering a Direct Quote

When you need to leave out part of a quotation to make it fit grammatically or because it contains irrelevant/unnecessary information, insert ellipses (97-101).

If you must add or slightly change words within a quotation for reasons of grammar or clarity, surround the change with square brackets (101).

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Paraphrasing

• Why Paraphrase?
• Paraphrasing Is a Process
• Step 1: Read
• Step 2: Take Notes
• Step 3: Think About What You Read
• Step 4: Write It In Your Own Words
• Step 5: Cite Your Source
• Citing in APA

Citing in MLA

• Paraphrasing Gone Bad Video
• What's Wrong With This Paraphrase? (A)
• What's Wrong With This Paraphrase? (B)
• What's Wrong With This Paraphrase? (C)

And here is how your article citation would look if you're using MLA.

In-text citation:

Parents should be concerned about online advertising. These advertisers are manipulative, and children are more vulnerable than most parents expect ( Cornish 454 ).

Works Cited page:

Cornish, Lara Spiteri. "'Mum, Can I Play On the Internet?' Parents' Understanding, Perception and Responses To Online Advertising Designed For Children." International Journal of Advertising , vol. 33, no.3, 2014, pp. 437-473.

As with APA, citations will have different  formats d epending  on what you're citing (a book, an article from a database,  a video, etc.).  Want to see more examples of MLA citations? Go to OWL at Purdue.

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Citation Styles and How to Guide

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MLA Style is a citation style created by the Modern Language Association, which is how it got its name!  Although it's most commonly used in the humanities, MLA can be used across many disciplines.  Therefore, the current citation style for this edition is more like a set of guidelines rather than strict rules.

MLA Style is currently in the 9th edition.  For an overview of changes between the 8th and 9th editions of MLA, check out this article  from the Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL).

MLA Citation Style Basics

• Resources for Getting Started
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These are some recommended resources for getting started citing in MLA Style.

A collection of frequently asked questions about MLA style answered by the Modern Language Association.

From the creators of MLA Style, this is a great resource for getting started with MLA.

Purdue OWL provides a wealth of information in their MLA Formatting and Style Guide.

You must format your paper according to MLA guidelines if you are citing using MLA Style.  

Purdue OWL provides some  general guidelines  for formatting your paper in MLA Style, which include:

• Papers should be typed
• Use double spacing
• 1 inch margins 
• Use 12 pt. size font
• The first line of each paragraph should be indented with the  Tab  key
• On the first page of your paper, you should include the following information indented left: your name, your instructor's name, the course that the assignment is for, and the date.  All subsequent pages should have a header in the top right corner with the page number.
• A Works Cited page at the end of your paper that includes all the sources

For MLA Style formatting examples, take a look at  MLA Style Center's Sample Papers  and  Purdue OWL's Sample Papers .

MLA Style's in-text citations use parenthetical citations that consist of an author-page style. 

The author's last name and page number(s) from where the quotation or paraphrase is taken appears in the text.  The structure of the in-text citation will depend on whether you are paraphrasing or quoting the text.  This in-text citation will correspond to a complete reference on the Works Cited page.

For example, if you are citing something paraphrased by  Jasmine Plott  on  page 3  of her work, you would provide an in-text citation that looks as follows:  (Plott 3) .  The full citation would appear in the works cted page.

For more information about how to craft an in-text citation, refer to Purdue OWL's guidance available  here .

Your Works Cited page appears at the end of your paper and will alphabetically lists all the sources that you included as in-text citations in your paper.  For MLA Style, there are a set of  core elements  that serve as general guidelines for what should go into a citation.  Structure your citations using the core elements listed below.  Don't forget to include the punctuation after each element in the below list, since that is an important part of the citation too!

Try to include as many core elements as you can in your citation, but don't sweat it if some of the information simply isn't available.  For instance, only some sources will have  containers , which are bigger sources where that particular source is held.  As an example, an entry in an encyclopedia would be the source, and the encyclopedia itself would be the container.

MLA Style Center's Works Cited: A Quick Guide,  and  Purdue OWL's MLA Works Cited Page: Basic Format  are recommended resources for getting more information about how to structure your Works Cited page.  Check out the selected links from MLA Style Center and Purdue OWL for more detailed information!

MLA Style Center's overview of how to structure citations for a Works Cited page

Purdue OWL's information about the general format of a Works Cited page

MLA Style Center's examples for how to cite five basic source types: (1) books; (2) online works; (3) songs, recordings, and performances; (4) movies, videos, and television shows; and (5) images

Purdue OWL's guidance for basic book formatting, books with more than one author, book chapter, other print sources, etc.

Purdue OWL's guidance for scholarly journals, magazines, newspapers

Purdue OWL's guidance for websites, images, articles in databases, YouTube videos, etc

Purdue OWL's guidance for interviews, artwork, films, music, etc.

Purdue OWL's sample Works Cited page

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A Guide to Plagiarism and Paraphrasing

According to the joint research efforts of Dr. Donald McCabe and the International Center for Academic Integrity , nearly 30% of university students admit to having cheated in some way on an exam.

Understanding how and when to cite sources is a critical skill for students to learn. Whether you borrow someone’s ideas from a textbook, blog post, or academic journal, you must give proper credit while representing the source’s ideas fairly and coherently.

This guide covers:

• Paraphrasing
• Plagiarism checkers, citation managers, and writing tools

The Purdue Global Writing Center defines plagiarism as “using another's words, ideas, results, or images without giving appropriate credit to that person, therefore, giving the impression that it is your own work.”

Types of Plagiarism

University of Oxford notes eight common forms of plagiarism:

• Verbatim plagiarism: Copying someone else’s work word for word.
• Cutting and pasting from web pages without clear acknowledgement: Pulling information off the internet without referencing it and without including it in the bibliography.
• Paraphrasing: Paraphrasing so closely so that the copy is almost an exact match to the original.
• Collusion: In group projects, or projects in which you received help, failing to properly attribute the assistance or failure to follow the project’s rules.
• Inaccurate citation: Failing to cite correctly, according to the conventions of your discipline.
• Failure to acknowledge assistance: Failing to clearly acknowledge all assistance that has contributed to your work (ordinary proofreading and help from a tutor or supervisor is excepted).
• Use of material written by professional agencies or other people: Using material that was written by a professional agency or another person, even if you have the consent of the person who wrote it.
• Auto-plagiarism (also known as self-plagiarism): Reusing work that you’ve previously submitted or published; presenting that information as new when you’ve already gotten credit for the work.

A new concern revolves around AI and copying directly from chat, composition, and visual tools. Using prompts to generate content for assignments and passing it off as your own contribution is considered plagiarism. Various organizations use AI software to check for submissions generated by a chatbot.

Also, keep in mind that AI tools may produce inaccurate and unreliable information. While there may be valid use cases for informal AI-generated brainstorming, this is a complex and evolving topic. Be sure to verify the policy expressed by your school, professors, or professional organizations for recent developments.

It’s important to note that plagiarism can be intentional or unintentional. Unintentional plagiarism occurs when a student unknowingly cites a source inaccurately or improperly. Intentional plagiarism, on the other hand, is when a student chooses not to cite a source or tries to pass off someone else’s ideas as their own.

Consequences of Plagiarism

The consequences of plagiarism vary by institution, but it could get you expelled or dropped from a course. In less severe instances, plagiarism — both intentional and unintentional — may result in a grade penalty, course failure, or suspension. Beyond the academic consequences, plagiarism also tarnishes your reputation and minimizes your integrity. Whether you’re in school or the working world, plagiarism is not a good look.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

The key to avoiding plagiarism is learning how to incorporate research into your writing. According to the Purdue Global Writing Center , you can do this in the following ways:

• Quoting: If you don’t want to alter a source, use quotation marks to enclose all verbatim phrases.
• Summarizing: If you find multiple relevant points in a lengthy text, simplify them into your own condensed synopsis.
• Paraphrasing: If you want to use a source’s information, restate it in your own words.

Whether you’re quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing, don’t forget to cite all sources.

What Is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is using your own words to convey the meaning of an excerpt. It shows your reader that you did your research and understand the content. While students may understand that they need to cite sources, many struggle with paraphrasing the ideas of others into their own words. However, like many aspects of writing, effective paraphrasing is a skill developed over time.

How to Approach Paraphrasing

The goal of paraphrasing is to translate the original work into your own wording and sentence structure. The best way to approach this is to focus on the meaning of the text, forcing you to interact with its purpose and context.

Paraphrasing Tips

A good way to judge your understanding of material is to see if you can explain it to someone else. Once you have this level of understanding, it’s easier to create effective paraphrases — changing the language and structure of a passage becomes more manageable.

Here are some tips to help you paraphrase:

• Reread the passage until you fully understand its meaning.
• Write your own summary of the passage without referencing the original.
• Check that your summary accurately captures the context of the original passage.
• Document the source information following your summary, whether it’s an endnote or footnote.

Remember that you still need to cite your paraphrases, but your follow-up analysis and discussion points belong to you.

What Requires Citation?

Any time you use information that isn’t common knowledge or you didn’t come up with yourself, you must cite it. The following requires citation, usually through in-text citation or a reference list entry:

• Quotes: If you are quoting the actual words someone said, put the words in quotation marks and cite the source.
• Information and ideas: If you obtain ideas or information from somewhere else, cite it — even if you paraphrase the original content.
• Illustrations: If you use someone else’s graphic, table, figure, or artwork, you must credit the source. These may also require permission and a copyright notice.
• Photographs: If you use your own photography or an image that allows use without attribution, no citation is required. In other cases, add a note below the image and a corresponding reference citation.

Common Knowledge Exception

You don’t need to cite information that’s considered common knowledge in the public domain — as long as you reword the well-known fact. According to the Purdue Global Writing Center , information must have the following traits to be considered common knowledge:

• The reader would already be aware of it.
• It’s a widely accepted fact; for example, there are 24 hours in a day.
• It’s accessible via common information sources.
• It originates from folklore or a well-known story.
• It’s commonly acknowledged in your field and known by your audience.

Why Citation Is Important

The importance of citation goes beyond the avoidance of plagiarism. According to the Purdue Global Writing Center’s Plagiarism Information page, citation:

• Distinguishes new ideas from existing information
• Reinforces arguments regarding a particular topic
• Allows readers to find your sources and conduct additional research
• Maintains ethical research and writing
• Ensures attribution of ideas, avoiding plagiarism

Additionally, proper citation enhances your credibility with readers, displays your critical thinking skills, and demonstrates your strong writing ability.

Plagiarism Prevention and Writing Resources

It takes time to develop strong writing and paraphrasing skills. Thinking of writing as more of a discussion than a report may help you develop your skills. Remember that it’s not about reporting and repeating information; it’s about expanding on ideas and making them your own.

Below are some tools to help you avoid plagiarism, accurately cite sources, and improve your writing as you develop your own unique voice.

Plagiarism Checkers

• DupliChecker
• Grammarly's Plagiarism Checker
• Plagiarism Detector

Citation Managers

• Academic Writer
• Grammarly’s Free Citation Generator

>> Read: Apps and Extensions to Help You With APA Citations

Writing Tools

Check out purdue global’s writing center resources.

The Purdue Global Writing Center can help guide students through the paper writing process — from avoiding plagiarism to proper paraphrasing to getting the right citations.

Students may access this resource from the Purdue Global campus homepage . Click “My Studies,” followed by “Academic Success Center.”

From there, students have several options:

• Ask a writing tutor
• Connect with a tutor for a one-on-one session
• Browse the Study Studio
• Watch webinars

Students can check out the Using Sources & APA Style page , which includes several resources to guide students through the process of formatting a document and citing sources in the American Psychological Association (APA) style. The Plagiarism Information page offers a tutorial designed to help students identify instances of plagiarism and understand how to avoid them.

See Notes and Conditions below for important information.

About the Author

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MLA Citation Guide

• MLA 9th Edition
• In-Text Citations and Paraphrasing
• Works Cited
• Formatting Research Paper
• MLA Citation Examples
• Test Your Knowledge

MLA In-Text Citations and Paraphrasing

• MLA in-text citations PowerPoint MLA in-text citations PowerPoint presentation.

In-Text Citations

Mla in-text the basics.

In MLA Style, when including a source you must include the following elements in your research paper:

• Author's Last Name
• The source is written in quotes or the source is paraphrased.
• Page Number

Please note that there are always exceptions to the rule, for example, if the source does not include a page number such as a website, then skip the element and only include the author's last name and quotation or paraphrase.

Examples of In-Text Citations

The following examples display in-text citations. Although all three examples are different they are still correct because they include the author's last name, quotation or paraphrase, and the page number.

Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263).

Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263).

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263).

Source: "MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics." Purdue Online Writing Lab.  Purdue U, 2021,  owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_in_text_citations_the_basics.html. Accessed 1 March 2022.

• << Previous: MLA 9th Edition
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• Last Updated: Sep 19, 2022 11:46 AM
• URL: https://libguides.lamission.edu/mlacitation

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Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

• Quoting, Summarizing, Paraphrasing, from OWL of Purdue Three ways of incorporating the words and ideas of other people into your own writing as explained by Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

Examples and Exercises for Understand Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Practice identifying appropriately paraphrased passages with the University of Arizona's Global Campus Writing Center Paraphrasing Activity .

Practice summarizing and paraphrasing with this introductory exercise from the Owl of Purdue, answers provided.

Write your own paraphrases and evaluate then with the OWL of Purdue paraphrasing exercise and answers .

Examples of plagiarism and Tutorials to learn more

• Summarizing, Paraphrasing, and Quoting from the OWL of Purdue
• Academic Integrity Tutorial with examples  from NIU
• Examples of Plagiarism from Bowdoin College
• Plagiarism Tutorial from IU
• Plagiarism Tutorial playllist on YouTube from Texas A&M

See also...

• MLA Guide to Avoiding Plagiarism
• MLA 9th Edition Guide from OC Libraries
• MLA Guide from OWL of Purdue
• Zotero Bib Free, high-quality citation generator with no ads
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• Next: Revising & Proofreading >>
• Last Updated: Oct 6, 2023 12:10 PM
• URL: https://libguides.olympic.edu/ENGL91

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Citation Guide

• Citation Basics

Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing & Patchwriting

Quotes, paraphrases, and summaries are different methods of incorporating other people's ideas and words into your research. You use quotes, paraphrases, and summaries to provide evidence of having researched your topic, which shows you have a thorough understanding of the topic you are discussing, and to show support for your arguments.

Below you will find specific information on each of these different methods of incorporating sources into your research including what they are and best practices for including them in your project.

Quoting is when you use the exact words of another person.

Using Quotes

• Quotes should be used sparingly in your research since they do not show that you have digested and understood the material or showcase your writing ability.  They only show that you've read information related to your topic.
• Quotes should only be used when the exact wording is important, or you are unable to paraphrase the author's words.
• It is best to integrate quotes into your sentences rather than use them as stand-alone sentences. (See the example below for how to incorporate a quote into your sentence.)
• Try not to quote an entire sentence, unless absolutely necessary.  Only quote the most important words or information.
• It is a good idea to  start or end a sentence containing a quote  with your own words to tie the quote back into your assignment. This shows you are applying the quote to support your own ideas and are adding value to the quote.
• Consider using a signal phrase to introduce your quote to the reader.

Formatting Quotes

Short quotations , usually those under 4 lines of text, are enclosed in quotation marks and include an in-text citation at the end. (Check the style guide assigned by your professor for information on formatting the citation correctly.)

Example: Graphic novels have educational and literary value and can be used in science classes to " engage students and support literacy skill development, " (Haroldson, p. 37).

Haroldson, Rachelle. “PICTURE THIS! The Versatility of Graphic Novels in Science Class.” Science Teacher , vol. 89, no. 2, Nov. 2021, p. 37-43. EBSCOhos t, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,cpid&custid=norwalk&db=sch&AN=153491142&site=eds-live .

Long quotations , usually those at or over 4 lines of text, are often called "block quotes" and have specific formatting that differs depending on the citation style being used.  Check the style guide assigned by your professor for direction on how to properly format a block quote.

(largely adapted from content on James Cook University Library " Writing Guide " licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License  and with permission from  Purdue University Online Writing Lab )

Summarizing

Summarizing is when you take a large portion of the material (paragraphs, chapters, or the entire contents) and condense it down to the main points using your own words.  A summary is very short overview of the resource, or portion of the resource, focusing on the key concepts.

Using Summaries

• Summaries must be written entirely using  your own words
• Summaries should be used when you need to quickly introduce background information or another person's ideas into your work to provide context or help set-up your analysis for your reader
• Try not to use summaries as "stand-alone evidence". You should always try to provide your own commentary, opinions, and/or analysis on the content of the summary.

Formatting Summaries

There is no special formatting for including summaries in your writing, except that you must still include an in-text citation , citing where you got the information provided in the summary. (Check the style guide assigned by your professor for information on formatting the in-text citation correctly.)

Example: In her article, "Picture This!" Rachelle Haroldson discusses the benefits of using graphic novels in science classrooms and provides suggestions for teachers on how to incorporate them into their lessons (pp. 37-43).

(adapted from content on James Cook University Library " Writing Guide " licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License )

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is when you restate a concept or passage from someone else using your own words. In addition to changing the words used, correct paraphrasing also changes the sentence structure. Unlike summaries, which are much condensed representations of the original work, paraphrases are typically similar in length to the original text. Paraphrases often include your own thoughts, interpretations, and understanding of the information being conveyed.

Using Paraphrases

• Shows that you've done research into your topic
• Shows understanding of the topic and source being cited, and adds value to the conversation surrounding the topic being discussed
• Provides supporting evidence for your arguments, adding credibility to your ideas and work
• Improves the flow of your paper, by retaining your own tone and voice rather than that of your sources
• It is not  simply swapping out words or phrases with synonyms, or reordering the phrases within the sentence (this is considered "patchwriting" and is a form of plagiarism - see the section on Patchwriting below for more information)
• Paraphrasing should be the most frequently utilized method of incorporating sources into your research since it shows a deeper understanding of the material and that you have developed your own thoughts on the topic
• When paraphrasing you should seek to include your own thoughts, interpretations, and/or analysis of the information being paraphrased

Formatting Paraphrases

There is no special formatting for including paraphrases in your writing, except that you must still include an in-text citation , citing where you got the information being paraphrased. (Check the style guide assigned by your professor for information on formatting the in-text citation correctly.)

Example: Haroldson suggests that science teachers incorporate graphic novels into their lessons because the pictorial format encourages student interest and therefore engagement in scientific concepts and supports literacy acquisition (pp. 37-38).

(adapted from content on James Cook University Library " Writing Guide " licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License  and Academic Integrity ,  by Ulrike Kestler, licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License )

Patchwriting

Patchwriting is when you only change a few words or the sentence structure without incorporating your own ideas or voice in an attempt to paraphrase. Patchwriting mimics the language and structure of the original source and therefore cannot be considered a true paraphrase, which also requires your own thoughts and understanding of the content be included. As such, patchwriting is often an unintentional form of plagiarism.

Patchwriting vs. Paraphrasing

(from Academic Integrity , by Ulrike Kestler, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License )

Patchwriting Example

Original Text

Graphic novels by their nature are intriguing. They are colorful, full of pictures, word bubbles, and funny sounds coming out of the characters’ mouths. Many recent publications are culturally diverse, offering traditionally underrepresented students the opportunity to see themselves in the texts and majority students the opportunity to connect with different characters and perspectives. (Haroldson, p. 39)

Source: Haroldson, Rachelle. “PICTURE THIS! The Versatility of Graphic Novels in Science Class.”  Science Teacher , vol. 89, no. 2, Nov. 2021, p. 37-43.  EBSCOhos t,  search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,cpid&custid=norwalk&db=sch&AN=153491142&site=eds-live .

Graphic novels are inherently captivating due to their vibrant visuals, use of illustrations, word bubbles, and sound effects. Many contemporary graphic novels embrace cultural diversity, providing traditionally marginalized students with a chance to identify with characters who resemble them, while also allowing students in majority groups to engage with diverse perspectives and characters (Haroldson, p. 39).

Graphic novels have a unique ability to capture student interest in scientific concepts due to their inherently entertaining method of conveying information through visual imagery. Moreover, these novels offer a valuable opportunity for students from traditionally underrepresented groups to identify with and relate to the characters and storylines presented within the narrative, making students more likely to engage with the material (Haroldson, p. 39).

Additional Resources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing - Purdue OWL A guide from Purdue OWL explaining what quotes, paraphrases, and summaries are, what they're used for, and how to use them.
• The Writing Guide - James Cook University Library A guide detailing the research and writing process with an entire page dedicated to using sources appropriately.
• Reading and Writing with Sources PowerPoint - High School
• Reading and Writing with Sources PowerPoint - College
• Paraphrasing vs. Patchwriting from KPU's Academic Integrity eBook Explanation of the difference between paraphrasing and patchwriting with an example and activity to check your understanding.
• Paraphrasing vs. Patchwriting - Ch. 13 of CS 050 Academic Writing and Grammar eBook Chapter explaining the difference between paraphrasing and patchwriting with videos, examples, and activities to test your knowledge, by the Confederation College Communications Department and Paterson Library Commons.
• ‘Patchwriting’ is more common than plagiarism, just as dishonest, by Kelly McBride - Poynter (2012) A Poynter article discussing what patchwriting is, how common it is, the ethics of patchwriting and its implications, with a particular focus on its use in journalism.
• The Citation Project The Citation Project is a series of research studies on source use. Their purpose is to provide data and analyses that can help with educators’ questions about plagiarism, information literacy, and the teaching of source-based writing. more... less... By collecting data and replicating or adapting the methods of other studies to analyze it, ongoing Citation Project research builds on and extends the work of other scholars, generating deeper and more nuanced understanding of source-based writing. (description from website)
• Paraphrasing - Penn State Academic Integrity Tutorial A page on the Penn State Academic Integrity tutorial with information on correct and incorrect attempts at paraphrasing.
• How to Quote | Citing Quotes in APA, MLA & Chicago A Scribbr guide on using and citing quotes in academic writing, complete with examples, videos, and FAQs.
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• Last Updated: May 16, 2024 1:52 PM
• URL: https://library.ctstate.edu/citations

Citation Guide

• APA Style - 7th Edition
• MLA Style - 9th Edition
• Chicago/Turabian Style

Introduction to this Page

Paraphrasing, summarizing.

• Tools for Managing Citations
• Citation Season!

What This Page Covers

This page covers how to incorporate sources into your text through quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing.

These guidelines will help you to avoid unintentional plagiarism. Any quote, paraphrase, or summary needs to be accompanied by an in-text citation that identifies what work you are referring to. This gives credit to the people you have learned from and shows the process of your work.

• Purdue OWL Guide to Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing Learn more from this Purdue OWL Guide, which includes a tool to help you check your text.

Tutorials from APA & MLA

The guidelines on this page apply to any citation style, though the different styles may have specific rules for some details like formatting a block quote. The following are helpful tutorials about incorporating sources directly from the APA and the MLA.

Direct Quotations and Paraphrases

Learn how to cite and format direct quotations in APA Style, including short quotations and block quotations; make and indicate changes to quotations; and cite paraphrased material.

Academic Writer // © 2023 American Psychological Association.

• Quoting and Paraphrasing in MLA Format This video course is all about quoting and paraphrasing sources in your paper! Learn rules of quoting and paraphrasing responsibly, and see examples of in-text citations in MLA format.

Definition of Quoting

When you quote a source, you reproduce or repeat a passage or phrase exactly and use quotation marks around the quoted text.

Quotes are exact duplicates of text. 

When to Quote

Style guides generally advise that you quote sparingly. A quote is a good idea in these situations:

• When the writing expresses a point extremely well
• When you want to comment on the author's choice of words

Tips for Quoting

• Only quote as much as you need to to communicate the information. 
• Look at a citation style guide to see how to format block quotes and in-text quotes.  
• If there is a spelling or other error in the text, copy the error and add sic  after the quote to denote that the error was in the text
• Omit words through using ellipsis marks (...)
• If you want to call attention to specific words in a quote, emphasize the words by using italics

Definition of Paraphrasing

When you paraphrase, you express the meaning of a written or spoken passage, or the words of an author or speaker using different words.

Paraphrasing is used when the detail of a passage is important, but the exact wording is not important. 

When to Paraphrase

Paraphrase when the details of a section of text are important. 

Tips for Paraphrasing

• Be careful not to borrow too many words from the original text. It's helpful to use synonyms.  
• Make sure to change the sentence structure of the original text.  
• If you're having a hard time paraphrasing, make sure you understand what is being said and can explain why it's relevant to your work.
• Imagine yourself explaining the idea to a friend verbally, and then write down what you would say. This can be a draft you revise later, if you need to.

Definition of Summarizing

When you summarize, you communicate the main ideas of what you have learned from a source, without including much detail.

When to Summarize

Summarize when there are long passages that have important main ideas. 

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• Last Updated: Jun 3, 2024 8:27 AM
• URL: https://libguides.caldwell.edu/citations

Citation Help

• Citations Home
• Avoiding Plagiarism
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Formatting papers

• Formatting Help from the MLA
• Quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing
• In-text and parenthetical citations
• Formatting a Works Cited Page
• Citing books and e-books
• Citing magazines, newspapers, or journal articles (print or online)
• Citing websites, online videos, blog posts, and tweets
• Citing images and works of art
• Citing other common formats
• APA 7 Purdue Owl This link opens in a new window
• Formatting your paper in APA style
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Papers written in MLA 8 format have the following recommended features:

NOTE: Always check with your instructor to see if they have any special instructions of their own.

GENERAL FORMATTING

• One inch margins at top, bottom, and sides of paper
• In Microsoft Word:  Select all text > click Home tab > in Paragraph box, click Line Spacing icon > select 2.0
• One space (instead of two) after each period

HEADING AND TITLE

• No separate title page is necessary
• Include your name, instructors name, course number, and date in top left corner of first page, double-spaced and on separate lines
• Center the title.  Do not italicize, underline, or bold the title.

PAGE NUMBERS

• In Microsoft Word, go to Insert > Page Number (in Header & Footer) > Top of page > select top right corner
• Double-click on the page number to insert your last name before the number.  This automatically adds it to all the pages throughout your paper.

TABLES AND ILLUSTRATIONS

• Add tables and illustrations as close as possible to the part of your paper where you discuss them
• Tables are labeled Table .  Images, maps, drawings, graphs, and charts should be labeled Figure  or Fig .  If using multiple tables or charts, include a number for each table or chart (e.g. Table 1, Table 2).
• Include the source of the table or figure below it, in MLA notes sty le .

Example of MLA format:

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• Last Updated: May 30, 2024 9:55 AM
• URL: https://guides.gccaz.edu/citingsources

All guides are available under the CC-BY-NC-SA license .

• Free Tools for Students
• MLA Citation Generator

Free MLA Citation Generator

Generate accurate citations in MLA format automatically, with MyBib!

😕 What is an MLA Citation Generator?

An MLA citation generator is a software tool designed to automatically create academic citations in the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation format. The generator will take information such as document titles, author, and URLs as in input, and output fully formatted citations that can be inserted into the Works Cited page of an MLA-compliant academic paper.

The citations on a Works Cited page show the external sources that were used to write the main body of the academic paper, either directly as references and quotes, or indirectly as ideas.

👩‍🎓 Who uses an MLA Citation Generator?

MLA style is most often used by middle school and high school students in preparation for transition to college and further education. Ironically, MLA style is not actually used all that often beyond middle and high school, with APA (American Psychological Association) style being the favored style at colleges across the country.

It is also important at this level to learn why it's critical to cite sources, not just how to cite them.

🙌 Why should I use a Citation Generator?

Writing citations manually is time consuming and error prone. Automating this process with a citation generator is easy, straightforward, and gives accurate results. It's also easier to keep citations organized and in the correct order.

The Works Cited page contributes to the overall grade of a paper, so it is important to produce accurately formatted citations that follow the guidelines in the official MLA Handbook .

⚙️ How do I use MyBib's MLA Citation Generator?

It's super easy to create MLA style citations with our MLA Citation Generator. Scroll back up to the generator at the top of the page and select the type of source you're citing. Books, journal articles, and webpages are all examples of the types of sources our generator can cite automatically. Then either search for the source, or enter the details manually in the citation form.

The generator will produce a formatted MLA citation that can be copied and pasted directly into your document, or saved to MyBib as part of your overall Works Cited page (which can be downloaded fully later!).

MyBib supports the following for MLA style:

Daniel is a qualified librarian, former teacher, and citation expert. He has been contributing to MyBib since 2018.

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Research and Citation Resources

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

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.

If you are having trouble locating a specific resource please visit the  search page  or the  Site Map . The Citation Chart  provides a detailed overview of MLA Style, APA Style, and Chicago Manual of Style source documentation by category.

Conducting Research

These OWL resources will help you conduct research using primary source methods, such as interviews and observations, and secondary source methods, such as books, journals, and the Internet. This area also includes materials on evaluating research sources.

Using Research

These OWL resources will help you use the research you have conducted in your documents. This area includes material on quoting and paraphrasing your research sources, as well as material on how to avoid plagiarism.

APA Style (7th Edition)

These OWL resources will help you learn how to use the American Psychological Association (APA) citation and format style. This section contains resources on in-text citation and the References page, as well as APA sample papers, slide presentations, and the APA classroom poster.

These OWL resources will help you learn how to use the Modern Language Association (MLA) citation and format style. This section contains resources on in-text citation and the Works Cited page, as well as MLA sample papers, slide presentations, and the MLA classroom poster

Chicago Manual of Style

This section contains information on the Chicago Manual of Style method of document formatting and citation. These resources follow the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, which was issued in 2017.

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Style

These resources describe how to structure papers, cite sources, format references, and handle the complexities of tables and figures according to the latest Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) guidelines.

American Medical Association (AMA) Style

These resources provide guidance on how to cite sources using American Medical Association (AMA) Style, 10th Ed., including examples for print and electronic sources.

Research Overview

We live in an age overflowing with sources of information. With so many information sources at our fingertips, knowing where to start, sorting through it all and finding what we want can be overwhelming! This handout provides answers to the following research-related questions: Where do I begin? Where should I look for information? What types of sources are available?

Conducting Primary Research

Primary research involves collecting data about a given subject directly from the real world. This section includes information on what primary research is, how to get started, ethics involved with primary research and different types of research you can do. It includes details about interviews, surveys, observations, and analysis.

Evaluating Sources of Information

Evaluating sources of information is an important step in any research activity. This section provides information on evaluating bibliographic citations, aspects of evaluation, reading evaluation, print vs. online sources, and evaluating Internet sources.

Searching Online

This section covers finding information online. It includes information about search engines, Boolean operators, Web directories, and the invisible Web. It also includes an extensive, annotated links section.

Internet References

This page contains links and short descriptions of writing resources including dictionaries, style manuals, grammar handbooks, and editing resources. It also contains a list of online reference sites, indexes for writers, online libraries, books and e-texts, as well as links to newspapers, news services, journals, and online magazines.

Archival Research

This resource discusses conducting research in a variety of archives. It also discusses a number of considerations and best practices for conducting archival research.

This resources was developed in consultation with Purdue University Virginia Kelly Karnes Archives and Special Collections staff.