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APA 7: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

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.

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Paraphrasing

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.

Directly Quoting

Directly Quoting

  • 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.

The first study notes that “keyword searching retrieved more relevant results than full-text searching” (Smith, 2018, p. 491).   

Smith (2018) found that “keyword searching retrieved more relevant results than full-text searching” (p. 491).

“Keyword searching retrieved more relevant results than full-text searching,” wrote Smith (2018, p. 491) in a study of database searching methods.

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)

Block Quotations

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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