APA paraphrasing: how to paraphrase and cite correctly
Quick answer
To paraphrase in APA 7, restate another author's idea in your own words and cite the author and year: (Rivera, 2022). Use no quotation marks. A page number is optional, but it helps when you point to a specific passage in a long work.
How do you paraphrase in APA 7?
Read the passage, set it aside and explain the idea the way you would to a classmate. Then compare with the original: the meaning must match, and the wording should not. End with the citation.
How do you cite a paraphrase?
With author and year, like any citation:
- Parenthetical: Rooftop plots doubled in five years (Rivera, 2022).
- Narrative: Rivera (2022) found that rooftop plots doubled in five years.
What separates a good paraphrase from a bad one?
Fictional original: "Urban gardening worked as a supplement and not as a replacement for wage work."
| Attempt | Problem |
|---|---|
| Urban gardening functioned as a supplement, not a substitute for paid work (Rivera, 2022). | Only two words changed. This is a disguised copy. |
| Families kept their jobs and added garden produce as extra income (Rivera, 2022). | New structure, same idea. A valid paraphrase. |
When is a direct quote better?
When the exact words matter: a definition, a law or a sentence you will analyze. Otherwise, paraphrasing keeps your writing flowing. See direct quotes.
Checklist
- Idea restated in your words and structure
- Author and year
- Page number if you point to a passage
- No quotation marks
- Source in the reference list
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to cite a paraphrase?
Yes. Changing the words does not make the idea yours. Without a citation the text counts as plagiarism. Include author and year, and a page number when the idea comes from a specific passage.
How many words must I change for it to be a paraphrase?
There is no number. A real paraphrase rebuilds the idea in your own structure and vocabulary. Swapping a few words for synonyms is not enough; if you keep whole phrases, use quotation marks.
Does a paraphrase need a page number?
Not in APA 7, but it helps readers, especially with books. If you include it, write p. or pp.: (Rivera, 2022, p. 31). For web pages you can leave it out.