How to Paraphrase and Cite Sources in MLA Format

MLA (Modern Language Association) format is widely used in high schools and universities, especially in humanities courses. When paraphrasing in MLA, you need an in-text citation with the author's name and page number, followed by a complete Works Cited entry. This guide covers the essentials of MLA paraphrasing, citation format, and practical examples.

Understanding MLA's Author-Page System

MLA uses a simple citation format: author name and page number in parentheses. Unlike APA, which includes the publication year, MLA focuses on helping readers locate the source in your Works Cited list using the author's name.

Every paraphrase needs an in-text citation. The basic format is:

(Author Page)

Or, if the author's name is already in your sentence:

Author states that [paraphrased idea] (Page).

For example:

Smith argues that social media damages attention spans (45).

Or:

According to Smith, social media damages attention spans (45).

Basic MLA In-Text Citations for Paraphrases

One Author

When citing a paraphrase from a single-author source, use the author's last name and the page number:

Social media damages attention spans in teenagers (Smith 45).

If the author's name is in your sentence, put only the page number in parentheses:

According to Smith, social media damages attention spans in teenagers (45).

Two Authors

Include both last names in the citation:

Studies show that remote work increases employee satisfaction (Johnson and Lee 78).

Or, with names in your sentence:

Johnson and Lee found that remote work increases employee satisfaction (78).

Three or More Authors

Use the first author's name followed by "et al.":

Research indicates that climate change accelerates species extinction (Garcia et al. 156).

Corporate or Group Author

If there's no individual author, use the organization's name:

The American Psychological Association reports that digital media affects memory retention (APA 23).

Source Without Page Numbers

Online sources often lack page numbers. In MLA, if no page number exists, cite only the author:

Digital media affects how we process information (Jones).

If there are paragraph or section numbers, you may include them:

Digital media affects how we process information (Jones, par. 4).

Step-by-Step: How to Paraphrase in MLA

Read and understand the source fully. Don't try to paraphrase sentence-by-sentence.
Close the source and write from memory. Rewrite the idea in your own words without looking at the original.
Check against the original. Ensure you haven't accidentally copied the source's wording or structure. Learn how to paraphrase without plagiarizing if your paraphrase feels too close.
Add the MLA in-text citation. Include author and page number immediately after your paraphrase.
Add a Works Cited entry. Every source you paraphrase must appear in your Works Cited list.

Example of Proper MLA Paraphrasing

Original source:

"The rise of artificial intelligence in customer service has fundamentally changed how businesses interact with clients, enabling companies to provide instant responses and support around the clock" (Chen 45).

Poor paraphrase (still plagiarism even with citation):

"The growth of artificial intelligence in customer service has significantly altered how companies interact with customers, permitting them to give instant replies and help at any time" (Chen 45).

Proper MLA paraphrase:

Businesses are now using AI to revolutionize their customer service, offering immediate answers to customer questions and support that doesn't stop (Chen 45).

The proper paraphrase restructures the sentence completely, uses different vocabulary, and shifts emphasis while still crediting Chen.

MLA Works Cited Format

Every paraphrased source must appear in your Works Cited list. Here are common formats:

Book

Author Last, First. Title of Book. Publisher, Year.

Smith, John. Remote Work and Workplace Culture. Academic Press, 2022.

Journal or Magazine Article

Author Last, First. "Title of Article." Title of Journal, vol. number, no. number, Year, pages.

Johnson, Maria, and Sandra Lee. "Social Media and Employee Engagement." Journal of Business Research, vol. 45, no. 3, 2021, pp. 234–251.

Website or Online Article

Author Last, First. "Title of Article." Name of Website, Date, URL.

Garcia, Paul. "Climate Policy and International Cooperation." Climate Action Today, 15 June 2023, www.climateactiontoday.org/articles/policy.

Newspaper Article

Author Last, First. "Title of Article." Name of Newspaper, Date, pages or URL.

Martinez, Elena. "New Study Shows Remote Work Benefits." The Times, 10 April 2022, www.thetimes.com/articles/remote-work.

Paraphrasing Multiple Sentences From One Source

Sometimes you paraphrase several sentences from a single passage. In MLA, you still need an in-text citation for the entire paraphrased section:

Paraphrasing multiple sentences:

Smith explains that social media has changed how teenagers communicate and form friendships. Young people now spend more time interacting online than face-to-face, which affects their social development. This shift has raised concerns among psychologists and educators about the long-term effects on mental health (Smith 45–47).

Notice: The entire paraphrased passage has one citation with page range (45–47) because it all comes from the same source.

Combining Paraphrasing and Direct Quotes in MLA

When you use both paraphrases and direct quotes from the same source, each needs an MLA citation:

Smith explains that social media affects teenager communication. As she notes, "young people now prefer texting over face-to-face conversation," a shift that worries educators (Smith 45). Psychologists say this trend has lasting effects on social development (Smith 46).

Each sentence cites the correct page number—even different pages from the same source.

MLA vs. Other Citation Styles

Style	Author Format	Includes Year	Page Number in Citation
MLA	Last name only	No	Yes (required if available)
APA	Last name + initials	Yes	Optional for paraphrases
Chicago	Last name + first name	Yes (first mention)	Yes (usually)

Common MLA Paraphrasing Mistakes

Forgetting the page number. MLA requires page numbers for print sources. (Online sources without page numbers use author name alone.)
Not including the source in Works Cited. Every in-text citation needs a matching Works Cited entry.
Paraphrasing too closely. Changing only a few words is plagiarism, even with a citation.
Using quotation marks for paraphrases. Only direct quotes use quotation marks; paraphrases do not.
Citing the same source multiple times without variation. It's fine to cite one source many times, but use tools like HumanMe to ensure your paraphrases vary in structure and phrasing.

Works Cited Page Setup

Title: Centered, "Works Cited" (no quotation marks)
Entries: Alphabetical by author's last name
Indentation: First line flush left, subsequent lines indented 0.5 inches (hanging indent)
Spacing: Double-spaced throughout

MLA Paraphrasing Checklist

My paraphrase uses my own words, not the source's vocabulary
The sentence structure is different from the original
I've included the author's last name and page number in parentheses
My source appears in my Works Cited list in alphabetical order
I didn't use quotation marks (paraphrases don't get them)
I haven't accidentally copied phrases from the original

Key takeaways

Every MLA paraphrase requires an in-text citation with author name and page number (if available).
Paraphrases don't use quotation marks, only direct quotes do.
Your Works Cited page must list every source you cited, in alphabetical order by author.
MLA focuses on author and page, not publication year (unlike APA).
Learn how to paraphrase without plagiarizing to ensure your rewording is genuine, not just synonym-swapped.

Frequently asked questions

Can I paraphrase without a page number in MLA?

Yes, if the source has no page numbers (like many online sources), cite just the author's name. If the online source has paragraph numbers or sections, you can include those: (Smith, par. 4) or (Smith, sec. 2). But if none exist, the author name alone is acceptable.

How do I cite a source with no author in MLA?

If there's no individual author, use the organization's name or title of the work in your in-text citation. For example: ("Title of Article" page). Then, in Works Cited, list the organization as the author or use the article title if there's no organization.

Do I need to cite paraphrasing in APA and MLA the same way?

No. APA requires author and year (Smith 2022); MLA requires author and page (Smith 45). The citation format differs, though both require citations for paraphrases. Always check which style your teacher requires.