Paraphrasing
To paraphrase means to rewrite in your own words. Many people think that this gives the text a better flow, and you can show in a better way how you have understood and interpreted the text.
Page numbers or not?
The APA manual says that you should include page numbers when paraphrasing if it is necessary for helping the reader to find back to where you have cited from. This primarily applies if you have used a longer text, such as a book. Here there are different traditions and practices within different subject areas, so ask your supervisor or teacher what is common practice if you are unsure.
Example:
In recent years, the compulsory residence has been the subject of much discussion in the media, with particular focus on the attractive properties along the southern coast of Norway. A survey from 2002 shows that the settlement pattern is not significantly affected in municipalities without compulsory residence, compared to municipalities with compulsory residence (Aanesland & Holm, 2002, p. 84). This investigation thus emphasizes arguments that are already…
Own translation of quotations
If you create your own translation of something you have read, it is considered a paraphrase according to the APA style. APA recommends that you instead reformulate the text and use your own words. In this way, you will demonstrate greater independence in understanding the text. A good tip is to put away the original text and then summarize what you remember. By doing this you will be more independent from the original text.
Be aware that in some Norwegian academic traditions it is customary to put quotation marks around a translated quote, as well as to indicate ‘my translation’, either within the quotation marks or after the page number in the reference. Teachers, supervisors etc. may in some cases have other requirements than what is specified in the APA manual. We therefore recommend that you contact your institute (or journal/publisher if you are going to publish an article or book) to check whether there are special guidelines for translating quotations.