What Is the Difference Between Citation and Paraphrasing? Explained

Learn the key differences between citation and paraphrasing, and how to properly credit sources in your writing.

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Citation involves using someone else's exact words and giving them appropriate credit. Paraphrasing means rephrasing the original text in your own words while still crediting the source. Citations show you’ve directly borrowed from another work, while paraphrasing demonstrates understanding and interpretation of the material.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is a citation in academic writing? A citation is the practice of using someone else's exact words or ideas in your work and giving them proper credit to acknowledge the original source.
  2. How is paraphrasing different from quoting? Paraphrasing involves restating the original text in your own words while still crediting the source, whereas quoting uses the exact words from the source enclosed in quotation marks.
  3. When should I use paraphrasing instead of quoting? Use paraphrasing when you want to show your understanding of the material or simplify complex information, while quoting is best for highlighting precise language or authoritative statements.

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