Final answer:
Paraphrasing a paragraph with the proper citation is not plagiarism. It is essential in academic writing to credit sources, and when paraphrasing, one must accurately represent the source's ideas while maintaining their own voice and style. Proper citation allows for credibility and reader reference.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you paraphrase a paragraph from an article and include the proper citation, it is not plagiarism. Paraphrasing means you have rephrased the information in your own words but have given credit to the original source, which is a crucial aspect of academic writing. By properly citing the source of the paraphrased content, you acknowledge the original author while integrating the ideas into your work.
It is essential to differentiate between quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing. Direct quoting involves using the exact language from the source within quotation marks. Summarizing is condensing the text to only its main ideas in your own words. Paraphrasing is similar to summarizing but focuses on restating the text in your own words with a similar level of detail. Each method requires proper citation to credit the source and avoid plagiarism.
To effectively use paraphrasing in academic writing, you must ensure the ideas from the source are accurately represented in your writing style and language, which helps maintain your individual voice. Proper citation not only builds your credibility but also allows readers to reference your sources for more detail. Including paraphrased information should support your argument, not replace it, maintaining an appropriate balance between the original content and your own analysis.