Paraphrasing is restating another author’s idea in your own words and sentence structure while crediting the original with a citation. It differs from quoting, which reproduces a source’s exact words inside quotation marks, and from summarising, which condenses a longer passage into a brief overview. All three require a citation; only paraphrasing and summarising also require genuinely new wording.
Most plagiarism in student and even professional work is accidental — the result of sloppy note-taking or a misunderstanding of what paraphrasing actually demands, not deliberate theft. Knowing precisely how quoting, paraphrasing and summarising differ is the surest defence. For the full taxonomy of plagiarism, see our explainer on what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.
Quoting, paraphrasing and summarising compared
| Technique | What it does | Needs quotation marks? | Needs a citation? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quoting | Reproduces the source’s exact words | Yes | Yes |
| Paraphrasing | Restates one passage in your own words and structure | No | Yes |
| Summarising | Condenses a longer work into its key points | No | Yes |
The single most important cell in that table is the citation column: every technique requires one. The most dangerous misconception is that putting an idea “in your own words” removes the obligation to credit its origin. It does not. Changed wording without a citation is still plagiarism, because you are passing off another person’s idea as your own.
How to paraphrase properly
A genuine paraphrase changes both the words and the sentence structure, not just a handful of synonyms. The reliable method is to read the passage, set the source aside, write the idea from memory in your own sentences, then compare against the original to confirm you have not echoed its phrasing or syntax — and finally add the citation.
Consider an original sentence: “Open-access publishing has accelerated the dissemination of clinical findings across institutional boundaries.” A weak, plagiaristic paraphrase merely swaps words: “Open-access publishing has sped up the spread of clinical findings across institutional borders (Smith, 2021).” The structure and most of the wording survive untouched — this is “patchwriting”, and even with a citation it is too close to the source. A proper paraphrase rebuilds the sentence: “Smith (2021) found that when research is published openly, clinical results reach readers at other institutions far more quickly than under subscription models.” The idea is credited, the wording is genuinely new, and the structure is the writer’s own.
When to quote instead
Paraphrase by default; quote sparingly. Reserve direct quotation for cases where the exact wording matters — a precise legal or technical definition, a memorable phrasing you intend to analyse, or a contested claim you want to reproduce verbatim so readers can judge it. When you quote, enclose the words in quotation marks (or set a long quotation as an indented block) and give the page or paragraph locator. A quotation without quotation marks is plagiarism even when a citation is attached, because the citation alone does not signal that the wording is borrowed.
Common accidental-plagiarism traps
Several patterns catch out careful writers:
- Patchwriting: changing a few words while keeping the source’s sentence shape. Rebuild the sentence from the idea, not from the original text.
- Mosaic plagiarism: stitching together phrases from several sources into a paragraph that reads as your own. Cite each source and rewrite each borrowed idea.
- Lost note-taking: copying a passage into your notes without marking it as a quote, then later mistaking it for your own writing. Always tag direct copies clearly while researching.
- Citation without quotation: attaching a citation to copied wording but omitting the quotation marks. Both are required.
- Self-plagiarism: reusing your own earlier work as if it were new, without disclosure. Integrity standards treat undisclosed reuse as a breach.
These traps share a root cause: a gap between when you read a source and when you write from it. Disciplined note-taking — marking quotations, recording metadata, and separating your words from the source’s at the point of reading — closes that gap.
An integrity-standards framing
Avoiding accidental plagiarism is not only a stylistic matter; it is a research-integrity obligation. Bodies such as the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) treat the honest attribution of ideas and wording as fundamental to trustworthy scholarship, and journals routinely run similarity checks before acceptance. Proper paraphrasing, accurate quoting and complete citation are how you uphold the integrity of the scholarly record and assign fair credit to the people whose work you build on. These same principles underpin CASRAI’s standards on authorship and contribution.
When in doubt about how to handle an unusual source or a borderline case, CASRAI’s guidance for authors can help you decide whether to quote, paraphrase or summarise, and how to credit the result.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need to cite if I paraphrase in my own words?
Yes, always. Paraphrasing changes the wording but not the ownership of the idea. The citation credits whoever originated the idea; without it, you are claiming someone else’s thinking as your own, which is plagiarism.
What is patchwriting, and is it plagiarism?
Patchwriting is changing a few words of a source while keeping its sentence structure largely intact. Even with a citation, it is too close to the original and counts as a form of plagiarism. Rebuild the sentence from the idea rather than editing the source’s wording.
How much do I need to change for a paraphrase to be acceptable?
Both the words and the sentence structure must genuinely differ from the original. Swapping synonyms is not enough. The test is whether a reader comparing your sentence to the source would see your own framing and syntax, not the original’s with substitutions.
Is reusing my own previous work plagiarism?
Undisclosed reuse of your own published work — self-plagiarism — is treated as an integrity breach by most journals and institutions. If you draw on your earlier work, cite it and disclose the reuse as you would any other source.
