difference citation and paraphrasing

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Differences between citation and paraphrase; reference, bibliography and plagiarism

This post is also available in: Aragonese , Spanish

When we create something – a technical article or report, a literary work, a paint or a photography, whatever- we often go to other´s work to use as supporting documentation, source of information or just inspiration .

For example, when drafting a document we can use external sources which may help us in many different ways (data, graphics, ideas,…). At the same time, in order to issue the recognition to its owner, we must choose among lots of alternatives and include the due credits at any part in our document.

To recognize the other´s work is paramount but, let´s be honest, we don´t use to devote the time and care it deserves.

So, this is a necessary summary-post about the different ways in which we use external works and how we can express in our work the recognition to the sources we used.

Citation, paraphrase and support for your argumentation

The difference between citing and paraphrasing is more formal than anything else.

When we use an autor´s literal words, word for word , we are doing a citation and it will be between double quotation “… bla…bla…bla…”.

Whereas when we refer to an existing idea but we use our own words to express it, we are paraphrasing .

Many times -I do most of times- we use external work as a general support for our arguments´consistency, without citing nor paraphrasing specific words or ideas.

References, bibliography and plagiarism

In order to recognize the due credit for other author´s work we cited, paraphrased or used as support, in our document we must include a references list and a section with the bibliography .

There are lots of methods and styles to build references and bibliography and, with the raise of the Internet, the options have multiplied. But here I will refer to a classical style, which is the one I will apply in this blog from now on.

A reference collects the identification data of the specific source we cited or paraphrased. Every reference may go immediately following the citation or paraphrased quote between brackets (…reference…) and/or be part of a numbered list of references [1] [2] [3]… at the end of our document or at the end of a section or page.

These may be some references´patterns:

To an article in a journal:

[1] SURNAME, Name. Date of publication.  Tittle of the article.  Place of issue. Journal´s name.

[2] SURNAME, Name. Year of publication.  Tittle of the book , edition. Publisher .  Pages of the reference.

To the content in a web page:

[3] SITE´S NAME. Date of publication.  Tittle of the article .  URL address. Date of the consultation.

Bibliography is the list of documents we cited, paraphrased or used as a source in general to support our work. So, bibliography contains all the references specifically cited or paraphrased as well as any source consulted. Bibliography uses to go at the end of each work.

These may be some bibliographies´patterns:

To newspapers and magazines:

NAME OF THE JOURNAL.  Tittle of the article .  Date of publication. Date of the consultation.

SURNAME, Name. Year of publication.  Tittle of the book , edition.  Publisher .

To a web page:

SITE´S NAME. Date of publication.  Tittle of the article .  URL address. Date of the consultation.

As said, this is just a way among many others to build references and bibliographies. Anyway, the most important thing is to identify clearly the external works we used as a source .

If someone uses others´work and doesn´t gives a duly and correct recognition, the resulting work is plagiarism and this puts under suspicion the work and its author´s solvency, in the broadest sense of the term.

So, despite I always link every source I consult, from now on I will also build the references and/or the bibliography in every post, starting with this entry.

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Quoting Vs. Paraphrasing – Key Differences and Best Practices

Students and researchers working on academic submissions and research publications use in-text citations to reference other people’s ideas and words. Bloggers who craft lengthy write-ups targeting various niches also source content from other publications and use citations to help readers identify the actual source of information, data, and opinion. However, there are two distinct methods exist for in-text citations. One is termed quoting, while the other is called paraphrasing.

However, many writers fail to differentiate between these methods. The main reason behind this phenomenon is a lack of knowledge about the key differences between these methods. However, this article outlines the definitions of both these methods, the key differences between them, and best practices that should be considered while using them to refer to other’s ideas or words. Let’s get started without any further ado.

What is Quoting?

Quoting refers to the process of inserting a passage from another source as it is into your writing. When quoting a passage from another source you simply copy it and write it in exact wording without the slightest modification. Using quotation marks around the quoted content from another source will help readers understand that you haven’t written it. After adding the quoted text, you must attribute the original author according to the recommended citation format. 

What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing refers to the process of stating the ideas or words of another author. However, it involves presenting someone else’s ideas by rephrasing the sourced information in your own words to fit your writing style. You must attribute the original author even if you paraphrase the sourced content. Paraphrasing doesn’t require you to surround the rephrased wording with quotation marks. All you need to do is perform in-text citations and give credit to the original author. 

Further details about key differences and best practices are given below.

Quoting Vs Paraphrasing – Key Differences

The factors that differentiate both quoting and paraphrasing from each other are given below.

Quoting: 

Here are some things that differentiate quoting from paraphrasing:

• Word Choice: As mentioned earlier, the writer using quoting to refer to ideas or words uttered by someone else must add sourced information to the writing with no modification. Simply put, you must reproduce the content in exact words while adding it to your writing.
• Preservation of Words: Quoting is all about preserving words as the sourced information is directly reproduced in the writing.
• Indication: Quotations featuring sourced content with exactly similar wording are indicated using quotation marks or creating a distinctly formatted block with indented text.
• Suitability: Quoting is more suitable when you want to insert short phrases or direct statements into the content that are pivotal to the argument you are presenting through your writing.

Paraphrasing:

Paraphrasing differs from direct quoting for various reasons. Here are some factors that help you understand them better.

• Word Choice: Paraphrasing focuses on conveying the idea from the sourced information in different wording so that it can easily match the writing style. The writer must modify the information and convey it in their own wording to paraphrase sourced content.
• Preservation of Core Meaning: Unlike the quoting method, paraphrasing preserves the core intent by allowing the writer to rephrase the information completely using their own vocabulary and writing style.
• Indication: As mentioned earlier, paraphrasing doesn’t require the writer to place quotation marks around rephrased information. Mentioning the source in the recommended in-text citation format is enough.
• Suitability: Paraphrasing is more appropriate when you have to source a lengthy block of text from another source and condense it for easier integration into your writing. Moreover, writers can use it to demonstrate a deeper understanding of sourced material because it requires them to thoroughly grasp the idea communicated by someone else and then reproduce it in their own wording.

Quoting Best Practices

You must pay attention to best practices for quoting to avoid plagiarism allegations and ensure academic integrity. Here are a few of them.

• When you want to cite a particular definition or technical term, opting for direct quoting and reproducing sourced content in exact wording is better.
• It is better to go with the direct quoting method when the sourced content is central to your argument. You can also use this method to effectively convey a particular point.
• You can surround short phrases with quotation marks while quoting. However, if the need to quote a passage directly arises, using the block format with indented text is better.

Paraphrasing Best Practices

You must keep a few best practices in mind while paraphrasing sourced content. These practices are given below.

• Paraphrasing is far more effective when you want to ensure the smooth integration of sourced material into writing.
• Paraphrasing is a perfect way to condense long blocks of text so that sourced material doesn’t add too much word count.
• You must make sure that the rephrased information looks totally different from the originally sourced material to avoid plagiarism allegations and ensure academic integrity.

In the End:

Quoting and paraphrasing allow writers to source information from other publications. However, both methods work differently. One is about preserving wording, while the other focuses on preserving the core meaning. You must understand the key differences between these methods to appropriately use them in your writing.

Additionally, you must be aware and follow the best practices while paraphrasing or quoting sourced information. This article has covered all these elements in detail. Hope, this information will help you in crafting informative and appealing content effectively.

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Home » Language » What is the Difference Between Quoting and Paraphrasing

What is the Difference Between Quoting and Paraphrasing

The main difference between quoting and paraphrasing is that quoting refers to the extraction of more than four words directly from the original source without changing the word order, while paraphrasing refers to describing or conveying the information in the original source in your own words.

Generally, when we quote something, we place the quotation inside quotation marks. Furthermore, the original source or the author of that particular quotation is usually mentioned directly as an in-text citation . When it comes to paraphrasing, we do not use quotation marks; however,  they do come with citations.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is Quoting         – Definition, Features  2.  What is Paraphrasing      – Definition, Features, Examples 3.  Similarities – Quoting and Paraphrasing      – Outline of Common Features 4.  Difference Between Quoting and Paraphrasing      – Comparison of Key Differences

Citation, Quoting, Paraphrasing

What is Quoting

Quoting is a way of extracting phrases, sentences, or even passages directly from the original reading and incorporating them into your own work. However, whenever you are quoting directly from another writer, it is necessary to provide a reference in order to avoid plagiarism . Generally, it is necessary to put the quote in between quotation marks in order to depict where the quote starts and ends.

Generally, a short quote that contains not more than 30 words comes in between inverted commas. For instance,

Patients who prayed had “less congestive heart failure, required less diuretic and antibiotic therapy, had fewer episodes of pneumonia, had fewer cardiac arrests and were less frequently intubated and ventilated” (Byrd, 1988, p. 829).

On the other hand, longer quotes that have more than 30 words have to be indented from your individual writing. Longer quotations can be single or double-spaced. Moreover, we do not write them inside quotation marks, unlike short quotes. However, it is necessary to add the parenthetical citation after the longer quote’s punctuation.

What is Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is another way to include the information from an original source in your answer. Here, you have to present the original source ideas in your own words. Furthermore, you have to acknowledge the original source and the author when you paraphrase. Describing the information from the original source in your own words enables you to demonstrate your comprehension of the work and your capacity to convey that information.

In order to paraphrase a text, first, you need to go through the original text thoroughly until you comprehend it well. As the next step,  you have to note down all the required concepts and ideas that the original author discusses inside his or her work. Then you have to put aside the original text and write down your version of the selected ideas without looking at the original text. Finally, it is necessary to go through the paraphrased text in order to make the required adjustments. The words should be edited to ensure that they communicate the required point in an academic manner without disturbing the flow of the rest of your work. Most importantly, you should not forget to include citations.

Similarities Between Quoting and Paraphrasing

• Quoting and paraphrasing both refer to methods of obtaining and incorporating the original source information into your own work.
• Whatever the mode we use, whether it’s paraphrasing or quoting, we always need to include the citations, which lead the reader to the original source and the author.

Difference Between Quoting and Paraphrasing

Quoting refers to the extraction of more than four words directly from the original source without changing the word order, while paraphrasing refers to describing or conveying the information in the original source in your own words.

In quoting, you use the words of another writer, but in paraphrasing, you use your own words to describe what someone else has written.

Punctuation

Usually, a short quote comes inside quotation marks, whereas a paraphrase does not.

The main difference between quoting and paraphrasing is that a quote is usually identical to its original source and matches the source text word to word, while paraphrasing includes producing a  source idea or a material in your own words. However, whether it is paraphrasing or quoting, you have to attribute to the original source and credit the original author in order to avoid plagiarism. 

1. “ APA Citation Guide: (Previous/6th Edition): In-Text Citations .” LibGuides. 2. Trach, Elizabeth. “ Examples of Paraphrasing without Plagiarizing .” Examples – Your Dictionary.

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1. “ Quotation: We do not inherit the land from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children .” By Ken Whytock (CC BY-NC 2.0) via Flickr 2. “ Notebook, writing, watch, work, hand, finger, close up, brand, design ” (CC0) via Pxhere

About the Author: Anuradha

Anuradha has a BA degree in English, French, and Translation studies. She is currently reading for a Master's degree in Teaching English Literature in a Second Language Context. Her areas of interests include Arts and Literature, Language and Education, Nature and Animals, Cultures and Civilizations, Food, and Fashion.

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In-Text Citations: Quotations vs. Paraphrasing  

When it comes to writing an essay, including in-text citations is invaluable for demonstrating that you have done your research and supported your claim. In-text citations are not just important for those reasons. They can also help you avoid committing plagiarism by referencing where you got your information from. However, choosing the type of in-text citations you will be including can be a difficult decision when presented with the options of using direct quotations or paraphrasing. In this post, we aim to shed light on the differences between the two methods in order to demonstrate their respective strengths along with their optimal use.  

Definitions  

So, what exactly is the difference between paraphrasing and direct quotation? Paraphrasing is taking the information from a source and re-interpreting it into your own words. In contrast, direct quotation is copying the information directly from the source without changing any of the wording in your essay.   

When to Use What  

Although they both serve the same purpose of reinforcing and supporting your claims, paraphrasing and quotations tend to be used under different circumstances. Paraphrasing can be used when referring to the more general information from the source, such as its main idea, recurring theme, or conclusion. Furthermore, paraphrasing can demonstrate to the readers that you understand the topic and material you are referencing because you are not just copying what was said before. Instead, you are putting your spin on the information and presenting it in a new manner, exemplifying your knowledge in that field.  

Quotations, meanwhile, are more beneficial when referring to the technical language used in the original source is imperative for understanding the information being presented in your writing. Doing so can introduce concepts to your audience without having to explain the topic further. Although there can be times when you may be tempted to use several sentences from the original source, sticking to short quotes that only give the necessary information required to understand your paper is far more effective than including two or three sentences that do little to back your claims. If you do have to insert a larger quote, you will have to separate it from the rest of the paper’s body into what is known as a “block quote”. As the name suggests, block quotes take up their own small paragraphs that squeeze too much information into them.   

Different Formats Have Different Guidelines  

One of the first things you need to know even before starting your essay is the citation style that you will be using. Depending on the purpose of your writing, the citation style may be APA, MLA, Chicago (CMS), IEEE, or any other options. Typically, APA is used for education, psychology, and science, MLA is used for humanities, and Chicago is used for history, business, and fine arts. Moreover, each style has its own set of guidelines on how to format your paper, from titles and headings to listing sources and citations throughout your writing.  

Things to Avoid When Citing  

Generally, there are a few common mistakes to avoid when citing information in your writing. The most important thing to look out for is plagiarism –you should always make sure to cite information properly by giving credit to original sources. If you summarize an author’s ideas, quote someone’s work, or discuss information that you learned, you should reference the source through in-text citations and references.   

The next common mistake is over-relying on quotes . Remember that the purpose of writing is typically to communicate your thoughts, analyses, and interpretations of information, and therefore, your audience wants to read your ideas, not the ideas of used sources. Instead, choose only the most necessary quotes, which may be those that mention specific information and phrases that either cannot be reworded or can lose meaning when they are rephrased.   

The final mistake is to include long quotes to fulfill word counts or to avoid having to explain concepts in your own words. In general, a good writing tip to follow is to include only the information that is completely necessary to make your point or get your purpose across. If the quotes in your writing are getting too long, your perspective may get lost and make the writing feel as if it is someone else’s.   

Final Takeaways  

In short, using the proper citation methods is important because not only will it help you avoid plagiarism, but also help strengthen your stance. Although each common citation style has its own specific guidelines to follow, the same general idea behind citations carries across. Whether it is through paraphrasing to demonstrate your understanding of the source or quoting to provide detailed information, citations are the foundation on which your arguments are built. Overall, if you ever have doubts about your writing or want to get another pair of eyes to look over your work and help you, visit the University Writing Center!   

Additional Resources  

Purdue Owl. (2022). Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing . Purdue Owl. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/index.html  

Libguides. (2023). APA 7: Paraphrasing vs. Quoting . Libguides https://holyfamily.libguides.com/c.php?g=1058037&p=7756103  

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Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing

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This handout is intended to help you become more comfortable with the uses of and distinctions among quotations, paraphrases, and summaries. This handout compares and contrasts the three terms, gives some pointers, and includes a short excerpt that you can use to practice these skills.

What are the differences among quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing?

These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing.

Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author.

Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly.

Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

Why use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries?

Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries serve many purposes. You might use them to:

• Provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing
• Refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing
• Give examples of several points of view on a subject
• Call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with
• Highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original
• Distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own
• Expand the breadth or depth of your writing

Writers frequently intertwine summaries, paraphrases, and quotations. As part of a summary of an article, a chapter, or a book, a writer might include paraphrases of various key points blended with quotations of striking or suggestive phrases as in the following example:

In his famous and influential work The Interpretation of Dreams , Sigmund Freud argues that dreams are the "royal road to the unconscious" (page #), expressing in coded imagery the dreamer's unfulfilled wishes through a process known as the "dream-work" (page #). According to Freud, actual but unacceptable desires are censored internally and subjected to coding through layers of condensation and displacement before emerging in a kind of rebus puzzle in the dream itself (page #).

How to use quotations, paraphrases, and summaries

Practice summarizing the essay found here , using paraphrases and quotations as you go. It might be helpful to follow these steps:

• Read the entire text, noting the key points and main ideas.
• Summarize in your own words what the single main idea of the essay is.
• Paraphrase important supporting points that come up in the essay.
• Consider any words, phrases, or brief passages that you believe should be quoted directly.

There are several ways to integrate quotations into your text. Often, a short quotation works well when integrated into a sentence. Longer quotations can stand alone. Remember that quoting should be done only sparingly; be sure that you have a good reason to include a direct quotation when you decide to do so. You'll find guidelines for citing sources and punctuating citations at our documentation guide pages.