Introduction

Plagiarism Defined

Examples

How to Avoid

In-Text Citations

Common Knowledge

Conclusion

Printable Checklist

In-Text or Parenthetical Citation

Paraphrases and Summaries

In addition to using a direct quote, you can paraphrase or summarize someone else's words.

To paraphrase is to put another's ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing is usually at the sentence level. To summarize is to put an entire paragraph, page, chapter, etc. into your own words. A summary is basically a more-extensive paraphrase.

Although you can quote, it is always better to paraphrase or summarize a source because it shows that you actually comprehend the ideas you're using. Do not paraphrase or summarize if doing so loses the emotion or impact of the original.

You must cite paraphrases and summaries.