What is a common misconception about paraphrasing?

A common misconception about paraphrasing is that it is not necessary to credit the source. In fact, even when the words are changed, the ideas and information still originate from the original author, so proper attribution is required. This practice upholds academic integrity and allows readers to trace the source of the information, which is essential in research and writing.

Paraphrasing involves rephrasing the original text into new language while maintaining its meaning, and this process does not eliminate the need for citation. By crediting the source, you're acknowledging the intellectual property of the original author, which strengthens your own work by providing authoritative support and context.

The other options, while they may seem relevant, are not misconceptions as they pertain to the standards of paraphrasing. Citation is indeed necessary, changing every word contradicts the essence of paraphrasing as it should still represent the original idea, and paraphrasing is distinct from quoting because the latter involves directly using the exact wording from the source.