How to Cite a Paraphrase with Practical Citation Styles

I still remember messing up an assignment in my first semester because I thought paraphrasing didn’t need citations. I had rewritten everything in my own words, or so I thought, until my professor flagged it for plagiarism. That’s when I realized learning how to cite a paraphrase is just as important as paraphrasing itself. If you’re unsure when or how to do it, don’t worry. This guide walks you through the most common citation styles and even introduces a free tool to make the whole process easier and more accurate.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

Free Download

APA Style

APA is the style I used most often for courses like Psychology, Sociology, and Education Theory. It’s especially useful when you're citing academic articles or research studies. So if you're working on a paper that pulls information from journal articles or formal studies, APA is definitely the style you should go with. It’s clear, organized, and honestly, most professors in social sciences expect you to follow these citation guidelines anyway. If you’re just getting started or want a quick refresher, this WPS tutorial breaks down how to write a paper in APA format in a really simple way.

Since APA got updated to its 7th edition, a few things have become simpler, like not needing to include the location of the publisher in references or allowing up to 20 authors before using “et al.” APA 7 also clarifies how to cite online sources, and when you're paraphrasing, you now don’t have to include a page number unless your instructor specifically asks for it. That makes it even more straightforward for paraphrasing citations.

Examples:

Below is how paraphrased and integrated citations look in APA style when written in WPS Writer. In the first version, you put the author’s last name and the year of publication in parentheses at the end of the sentence. It’s clean and direct. In the second version, you naturally include the author’s name in the sentence itself and just add the year in parentheses right after. This format works well when you want your writing to sound smooth without skipping proper credit.

MLA Style

I’ve mostly used MLA style in my literature and English writing courses like Literary Analysis and Writing Composition. If your assignments involve essays, books, or articles in the humanities, MLA is usually the way to go. It focuses more on the author and less on the year, which makes it great for subjects where when something was said isn’t as important as who said it. If you’re working on a paraphrase citation for a novel, article, or any literary source, MLA keeps things simple by just asking for the author’s last name and the page number. And if you ever need to go beyond paraphrasing and cite other sources like songs, interviews, or even PowerPoints, this MLA citation guide has everything laid out clearly.

Examples:

Below is a quick look at how both paraphrased and integrated citations appear in MLA style when typed out in WPS Writer. In the first example, the author’s last name and page number are added at the end in parentheses with no commas or year. Just clean and simple. In the second, the author’s name is naturally woven into the sentence and the page number is added at the end. This format keeps your writing smooth while still giving proper credit.

Chicago Style

I’ve only had to use Chicago style once during a history course but it really stuck with me. It’s common in subjects like history, art, and philosophy where you're expected to cite sources in detail. Chicago style actually offers two systems. One is the Notes and Bibliography format and the other is the Author-Date format.

Most students end up using Notes and Bibliography where you cite sources through footnotes or endnotes. So if your professor mentions footnotes you’re probably working with Chicago. It’s especially useful if you want to follow thorough citation guidelines while keeping the main text clean and easy to read. And if you ever need to cite something like a presentation or a PowerPoint, this WPS blog breaks down how to do it in Chicago style step-by-step.

Examples (Chicago Style – Notes and Bibliography System)

Here’s how paraphrased and integrated citations look in Chicago style when using WPS Writer. Unlike APA or MLA, you don’t include the author’s name and year in parentheses. Instead, you place a tiny superscript number at the end of your sentence, which points to a footnote at the bottom of the page. It keeps the body text neat while still giving full credit. This is especially helpful in longer essays where you don’t want citations breaking the flow of your writing.

What to Avoid in Paraphrase Citation

I used to read a bunch of articles or books before starting a research paper, thinking I’d absorbed everything. So when I sat down to write, I assumed the ideas were mine, when in reality, I was just rephrasing what I had read without even realizing it. That’s where I went wrong. Even if you put things in your own words, if the idea came from somewhere else, it still needs a citation.

It also took me a while to realize that paraphrasing isn’t just about switching up a few words. If you’re not careful, you can end up changing the meaning entirely or keeping it too close to the original without meaning to. Another trap is thinking that tools like Citation generators will handle everything perfectly for you. They help, sure, but they can mess up the format or leave out something important, so it’s always worth double-checking.

What actually helped me improve was paying closer attention during note-taking. I started separating direct quotes, paraphrased points, and my own thoughts more clearly, which made it easier to keep track of where things came from. I also got into the habit of adding citations while writing instead of waiting until the end, which saved me from forgetting sources or scrambling to find them later.

A Smart Way to Paraphrase Without Losing Accuracy

Back in my second semester, I ran into a huge issue with paraphrasing. I thought I had rewritten a passage well enough to avoid any problems, but when I submitted the assignment, the plagiarism checker flagged it. I couldn’t believe it. That’s when I realized paraphrasing isn’t just about changing up a few words , it’s also about changing the structure of the idea and citing where it came from. That experience is what led me to start using the Free Paraphrasing Tool by Toolsmart, and honestly, it’s been a game-changer. I usually run my drafts through it first to clean up complicated sections, then follow up with a citation generator to make sure everything’s credited properly. If you’re anything like me and tend to hold onto the original structure without realizing it, this tool really helps. It’s like having a responsible writing assistant who’s always on your side.

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE

Free Download

FAQs

1.  Do I have to cite if I paraphrase?

Yes, for sure. Just because you’ve changed the wording doesn’t mean the idea is suddenly yours. I used to think paraphrasing meant I didn’t need a citation, but that’s exactly how I got into trouble. The idea still came from someone else, so it needs credit. Even if you write it in your own way, skipping the citation can still count as plagiarism. Better to be safe and cite than risk getting flagged for something you didn’t even mean to do.

2. Which style should I use for paraphrasing citations?

It depends on where you're submitting your work. APA, MLA, and Chicago are the main ones, and each has slightly different rules. Personally, I go with APA for research reports, MLA for literature courses, and Chicago if it’s something history-related. Each one works best for different types of sources too. For example, MLA is great for interviews or anything literature-related. When in doubt, check what your teacher or school recommends

3. Can paraphrasing tools guarantee originality?

No tool can replace your own judgment completely, but Toolsmart Free Paraphrasing Tool has honestly made my writing process way smoother. It helps me rephrase content clearly while keeping my tone intact. I usually run my drafts through it when I need to tighten up my wording. Just make sure that after paraphrasing, you still cite the source properly to avoid any accidental plagiarism.

What Helped Me Get It Right