Today we explain how to quote a paraphrase
Are you writing your degree project or scientific article and you come across a paraphrased phrase and it seems ideal to be part of your research? surely you wonder how to cite a paraphrase
Fortunately, the Surely you have seen one or the other has an answer for each and every one of those data, information and details that you think will add value to your research can be used, as long as you cite them properly to give credit to the original author.
It is also a way to help researchers who come after you, who may use your thesis as a guide and perhaps want to delve into a particular point, something they can do by accessing the bibliography you provide.
What is paraphrase?
But before we talk about the layout of author, year, and other details, it's important to stop to clarify the information from the beginning. So let's start talking about the paraphrase.
The paraphrase is explanation or interpretation of a text. It is about reading something and repeating it, now in your own words. Is used for improve understanding of information using much simpler words than the original text.
It is usually used as study technique leaving behind the archaic and ineffective methods of memorizing concepts. On the contrary, a good student digests the information received and demonstrates his understanding by giving the information in her own way, keeping the essence. Nothing to invent.
The word "Paraphrase" comes from the Latin "paraphrase" which means translates as "next to" (para) and expression "phrasis".
How to cite a paraphrase
As we know, the APA developed a series of mechanical and very precise rules so that writers and researchers could use the information of other researchers, always respecting their rights.
Everything related to the APA needs an important capacity: Pay attention to the details. Unfortunately, it's all too easy to paraphrase, to summarize another author's work and not give it the credit it deserves, so the APA avoids these mistakes by “demanding explanations” about where it pre-empts any information.
Keep in mind something very important: changing a few words in a sentence is not paraphrasing. You must rewrite the information with your own words, your own ideas, reaffirm the originals with your own interpretation and, of course, give credit to the author you refer to.
Authors are recommended to exercise the practice of paraphrasing so that the texts have more dynamism and not fall into dozens of citations that, in the long run, could be interpreted as laziness by the researcher. In fact, teachers often see long citations as a way for students to add to the text and pages without making any effort to interpret the information.
Paraphrasing according to APA standards
To paraphrase, you must cite the original work from which you are drawing ideas using the narrative citation or parenthetical citation model.
Always include the author's last name and year of publication and page or paragraph number (if you paraphrase non-paged materials). This last item is not mandatory, but it is recommended to help the reader to deepen the reading.
A good example of how to quote a paraphrase is as follows:
Jamie Lee Curtis is a good example of an actress who made the leap from horror films to much more ambitious films (López, 1998).
Or also:
According to López (1998) Jamie Lee Curtis is a good example of an actress who managed to remove the stigma of horror films by starring in blockbuster and more developed films. (pp30-31).
If the paraphrase is several sentences, cite the work you paraphrase on the first mention. That will be enough. Good writing will make it clear that you are talking about the same text and author throughout the paragraph, and if you want to continue paraphrasing in a new paragraph, re-introduce the quote smoothly.
Recommendations for citing paraphrasing in APA
Knowing how to quote a paraphrase is not enough. Follow these tips to make your degree work perfect:
- Be very careful with authors names what you put in the paraphrase and what you write in the reference list. All the authors cited in the research must appear in the list of references, which is what allows the reader to locate the main source of information
- Although it is not always possible, Always try to cite primary sources. If you are reading a book where the work of another author is cited and you want to cite that particular information, try to get hold of the original book or that text you need. This will make a primary source citation and it will be less cumbersome for you and the readers.
- Avoid extremes. Don't quote too much, and don't quote too little. If you make too many quotes, you could be accused of plagiarism because, although you are giving credit to the author of all the ideas, you are practically copying an entire text. If you make few citations, your work can be accused of lacking bibliographic support and seriousness.
dynamic texts
Read again and again the information that you are writing and that you are going to present to the jury and to the rest of the readers. Be your main critic and make sure you have written a dynamic and easy to read text. There is nothing more boring than coming across a writing full of numeral pauses in which the ideas do not seem to flow.
Writing is not easy, but it is an art that you can exercise on a daily basis, reading various texts, other degree projects and research articles and of course, writing.
Write about what you want, about your interests, about what you did yesterday, but write. Get your neurons moving and show that you too can write well.
Don't be afraid of the APA Standards. You just have to keep your eyes wide open and follow each of the steps for every detail.
Keep in mind that, although it may seem like it, the APA standards were not created to make your life a little square, but so that the research papers had a pre-established format and it was easier to access the information. Also so that the authors who wrote before you on the subject (and that you are acknowledging in your bibliography) receive the honor they deserve.