Paraphrasing
Paraphrases – Your Own Words
Paraphrasing involves the rephrasing of an author’s ideas or statements in new words. They do not simply substitute synonyms for the author’s words, but substantially rewrite the original without changing its meaning. Paraphrases should thoroughly and accurately reiterate the original text. This is a way to smoothly assimilate someone else’s ideas into your own writing. You must always remember to cite this information since you are borrowing ideas from someone else. Failure to do so is considered plagiarism.
What Do Paraphrases Do?
Paraphrasing helps writers curb the urge to directly quote everything; it is distinctive because it allows you to absorb the material and then explain it thoroughly, showing a deeper understanding of the original passage. When you paraphrase well, you demonstrate that you are a careful and intelligent reader. Paraphrasing becomes especially important when you are writing to a diverse audience because it allows technical information to be translated into simpler terms by selecting words better suited to that wider audience.
How Are Paraphrases Used?
Paraphrasing can be used many ways in scholastic, professional, and private writing. Paraphrases serve various functions including, but not limited to, the following:
- exploring meanings,
- restating ideas,
- clearing away confusion,
- explaining a topic to a general or different audience,
- setting up quoted material, or
- interpreting unfamiliar terms.
When Do I Need To Paraphrase?
There are many reasons to use a paraphrase, as opposed to a summary or direct quotation. You might need to paraphrase in any of the following situations:
- The ideas in the original passage are more important than the style and authority of the author.
- The ideas are more memorable than the author’s language.
- The original language is difficult to comprehend.
- A quotation is too long and/or wordy.
- The original passage needs to be clarified.
- The source of a quotation is unknown.
What If I Am Having Trouble?
If you are struggling with writing a paraphrase, here are a few helpful tips.
- Change the sentence structure and then the words, or vice versa.
- Break-up long sentences and combine shorter ones.
- Try to understand the original passage as a whole idea.
- Choose only the information that helps you; don’t paraphrase unnecessary material.
- Remember that you can use direct quotations in a paraphrase as long as you cite them accordingly.
- You do not have to omit details (like a summary).
Checklist
? Does the paraphrase consist of 100% your own words?
? Did you correctly cite any direct quotations?
? Did you do more than just substitute synonyms?
? Did you do more than just change the sentence structure?
? Did you make it clear that you are using someone else’s thoughts?
Further Reading
- http://www.utoronto.ca/ucwriting/paraphrase.html - This site provides thorough coverage of both paraphrasing and summarizing.
- Tutorials on Academic Honesty and Citations - Test yourself and learn how to do it correctly, with the help of Evans Library.
- http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/research/r_paraphr.html – Explains what a paraphrase is and why it is a valuable skill. Gives steps for effectively paraphrasing and provides some examples of legitimate paraphrasing along with plagiarized versions.
