paraphrasing meaning and examples sentences

• Literary Terms
• Definition & Examples
• When & How to Use Paraphrase

I. What is a Paraphrase?

A paraphrase (pronounced par – uh -freyz) is a restatement or rewording of a paragraph  or text,  in order to borrow, clarify, or expand on information without plagiarizing. Paraphrasing is an important tool to use when writing research papers, essays , and pieces of journalism.

II. Examples of Paraphrasing

For examples of paraphrasing, consider these possible re-wordings of the same statement:

She angered me with her inappropriate comments, rumor-spreading, and disrespectfulness at the formal dinner table.

She made me angry when she was rude at dinner.

This paraphrase is an example of a rewording which shortens and simplifies while maintaining the same meaning.

Her impoliteness, gossiping, and general lack of respect at dinner infuriated me.

This rephrasing maintains the same meaning but is rearranged in a creative way.

I was mad when she started spreading rumors, making inappropriate comments, and disrespecting other guests at our dinner.

Another paraphrase, this rewording properly and interestingly rearranges the information provided in the original sentence.

III. Types of Paraphrasing

A. change of parts of speech.

Parts of speech ranging from verbs and nouns to adjectives and adverbs are replaced with new parts of speech in this type of paraphrasing. Here is an example:

Original Sentence:

The boy quickly ran across the finish line, seizing yet another victory.

Paraphrase:

The quick boy seized yet another victory when he ran across the finish line.

In this example, many parts of speech are changed: the adverb quickly becomes the adjective quick, and the verb phrase with the gerund seizing becomes the verb seized.

B.  Change of Structure

This type of paraphrasing involves changing the sentence’s structure, sometimes creating a passive voice from an active voice and vice versa. The change in structure can be used to reflect the writer’s interpretation of the original quote. Here is an example of change of structure paraphrasing:

Puppies were adopted by numerous kind souls at the puppy drive.

Many kind souls adopted puppies during the puppy drive.

In this example, the object of the sentence (kind souls) becomes the subject with an active voice (adopted) rather than a passive voice (were adopted).

C. Reduction of Clauses

Reduction of clauses paraphrases reduce the number of clauses in a sentence, which can be interruptive or confusing, by incorporating the phrases into the sentence. Here is an example of reduction of clauses paraphrasing:

While I understand where you’re coming from, and truly respect your opinion, I wish you would express yourself more clearly, like Clara does.

I understand where you’re coming from and respect your opinion, but I wish you would be more like Clara and express yourself more clearly.

D. Synonym Replacement

Synonym replacement paraphrasing is one of the simplest forms of paraphrasing: replacing words with similar words, or synonyms. Here is an example:

The older citizens were honored with a parade for those once in the military.

Senior citizens were honored with a march for veterans.

In this example, many synonyms are used: older citizens are senior citizens, a parade becomes a march, and those once in the military refers to veterans.

IV. The Importance of Using Paraphrase

Paraphrasing is a way of referencing a source without directly quoting it or of further explaining a selected quote. Correct paraphrasing is important in that poor paraphrasing can result in accusations of plagiarism, or copying from a source without correctly citing it. Paraphrasing allows writers to examine the meaning of others’ work, creatively rephrase their statements, and craft information to suit an essay or composition’s goal or focus.

V. Paraphrase in Literature

Paraphrasing can be found in a variety of journalistic sources from newspapers to film documentaries to literary journals. Here are a few examples of paraphrasing in literature:

Someone once wrote that musicians are touched on the shoulder by God, and I think it’s true. You can make other people happy with music, but you can make yourself happy too.

In John Berendt’s nonfiction novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil , a character references what someone has once written by paraphrasing their message.

I’m going to paraphrase Thoreau here… rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness… give me truth.

In this example from the nonfiction novel Into the Wild , Jon Krakauer paraphrases Thoreau’s larger message of transcendence.

So far, Laurance’s critiques of new road-building schemes have been well received, but he expects that to change.

In Michelle Nijhuis’ article “What Roads Have Wrought,” William Laurance is paraphrased rather than quoted to express his general viewpoint.

VI. Paraphrase in Pop Culture

Paraphrasing is often found in pop culture when attempting to translate the language of older plays, poems, and stories, such as Shakespeare’s works. Here are a few examples of paraphrasing in pop culture:

10 Things I Hate About You (1999):

Just a minor encounter with the shrew… the mewling, rampalian wretch herself.

In the modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew , many characters ’ lines paraphrase Shakespeare’s originals. Here is Shakespeare’s version:

A meacock wretch can make the curstest shrew.

A Different World: Romeo, Oh Romeo

First, the student reads Shakespeare’s original words:

Oh gentle Romeo. If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou thinkest I’m too quickly won, I’ll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, so thou wilt woo.

Then, she paraphrases to translate its meaning for modern ears:

It’s all about translation. Oh, sweet thang Romeo. If you think I’m all that, then step to me correctly. But if you think I’m a skeeze, I’ll be dissin’ and dismissin’, then you’ll be workin’ overtime getting’ me back.

VII. Related Terms

Like paraphrases, summaries are rewordings of original statements. Whereas paraphrases are precise and specific, summaries are brief and selective. Summaries report main points in a shortened version of the original, whereas paraphrases simply restate the original statement in a new way. Here is an example of summary versus paraphrase:

Original Statement:

At the party we had delicious red punch, a bunch of different appetizers, and a cookout. Since it was at the park, we played volleyball, went swimming, and sunbathed for fun.

At the party we enjoyed food and drink and various outdoor activities.

Here, the summary purposefully shortens the original statement while covering its major points.

At the party we drank some punch, ate a handful of appetizers, and had a cookout. The park allowed us to enjoy a number of enjoyable activities from volleyball to swimming to sunbathing.

As this example shows, the paraphrase rephrases the original statement and keeps more of its original content than the summary.

Translation

Although paraphrase sometimes translates difficult phrasing into more understandable phrasing, it is not literally considered translation. For something to be a translation, it must change writing in one language to another language. Here is an example of translation versus paraphrasing:

Original Phrase:

That’s life.

Translation into French:

C’est la vie.

That’s just how life goes sometimes.

Although we loosely may refer to paraphrase as translating ideas, technically it is not a tool of translation.

VIII. In Closing

Paraphrasing is an important tool for nonfiction writers, journalists, and essayists alike. It is a common proponent of news and reporting. Correct paraphrasing protects writers from plagiarism and allows them to creatively rephrase original works, incorporating them into their own compositions.

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• What is Paraphrasing? An Overview With Examples
• Learn English
• James Prior
• No Comments
• Updated February 23, 2024

What is paraphrasing? Or should I say what is the definition of paraphrasing? If you want to restate something using different words whilst retaining the same meaning, this is paraphrasing.

In this article, we cover what paraphrasing is, why it’s important, and when you should do it. Plus, some benefits and examples.

Table of Contents

Paraphrase Definition: What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is when you restate the information from a source using your own words while maintaining the original meaning. It involves expressing the ideas in a different way, often to clarify or simplify the content, without directly quoting the source.

When you paraphrase, you are not only borrowing, clarifying, or expanding on the information but also ensuring that you do all of these actions without plagiarizing the original content. It’s therefore definitely worth learning how to paraphrase if you want to improve your writing skills.

Why is Paraphrasing Important?

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill that allows you to convey information in your unique writing style while still giving credit to someone else’s ideas. It’s important for several reasons, and it serves various functions in both academic and professional writing.

Here are some key reasons why you should paraphrase:

• Paraphrasing allows you to present information from sources in your own words, reducing the risk of plagiarism. Proper in-text citation is still necessary, but paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding and interpretation of the material.
• When you paraphrase, you are required to comprehend the original content fully. You actively engage with the information, helping you better understand complex concepts and ideas. This process of restating the information in your own words showcases your understanding of the subject matter.
• By paraphrasing, you can clarify complex ideas or technical language and convey information in a clearer, shorter, and simpler form. This makes it more accessible to your audience and ensures they grasp the key points. This is particularly important when communicating with readers who may not be familiar with specialized terminology.
• Paraphrasing is valuable when synthesizing information from various sources. It enables you to blend ideas cohesively while maintaining a consistent writing style throughout your work.
• Paraphrasing allows you to inject your unique writing style and voice into the content. It helps you present information in a way that is more aligned with your personal expression and perspective.
• In certain situations where you need to meet specific length requirements for assignments or publications, paraphrasing allows you to convey information more concisely while still preserving the essential meaning.
• Paraphrasing helps maintain a smooth flow and cohesiveness in your writing. It allows you to integrate information seamlessly, avoiding abrupt shifts between your own ideas and those from external sources.
• Depending on your audience, you may need to adapt the language and level of technicality of the information you present. Paraphrasing allows you to tailor the content to suit the needs of your specific readership.

Incorporating paraphrasing into your writing not only showcases your understanding of the material but also enhances the overall quality and originality of your work.

When Should You Paraphrase?

Knowing when to paraphrase is an important skill, especially in academic writing and professional communication. Here are some situations in which you should consider paraphrasing:

• To Avoid Plagiarism:  Whenever you want to incorporate information from source material into your own work, but don’t want to use a direct quotation, paraphrasing is necessary to present the ideas in your own words while still acknowledging the original source.
• To Express Understanding:  Paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of a topic by rephrasing the information in a way that shows you have processed and comprehended the material.
• To Simplify Complex Information:  If you encounter complex or technical language that may be difficult for your audience to understand, paraphrasing can help you clarify and simplify the information to make it more accessible and digestible.
• To Integrate Multiple Sources:  When synthesizing information from multiple sources, paraphrasing allows you to blend the ideas cohesively while maintaining your own voice and perspective.
• To Maintain Consistency in Writing Style:  In academic writing or professional writing, paraphrasing can help you maintain a consistent writing style throughout your work. This helps to ensure that all sections flow smoothly and are coherent.
• To Meet Specific Requirements:  Some assignments or publications may have specific requirements. This could relate to the number of words or concern the use of direct quotations. In such cases, paraphrasing allows you to meet these requirements while still incorporating relevant information from your sources.

What Are the Benefits of Paraphrasing?

Rewriting information in a clearer, shorter, and simpler form is called paraphrasing, so one of the benefits of paraphrasing is already clear! However, it can also be a useful exercise for other reasons, which are outlined below:

Avoiding Plagiarism

One of the main benefits of paraphrasing is mastering the ability to present information from external sources in a way that is entirely your own. By restructuring the content and expressing it using your words, you create a distinct piece of writing that reflects your comprehension and interpretation of the original material. This not only showcases your academic or professional integrity but also safeguards against unintentional plagiarism.

Paraphrasing is a fundamental skill in academic and professional settings, where originality and proper attribution are highly valued. This is especially true when it comes to writing research papers, where you’ll often need to reference someone else’s ideas with appropriate citations.

When you paraphrase effectively, you communicate to your audience that you respect the intellectual property of others while contributing your unique insights. This ethical approach to information usage enhances your credibility as a writer or researcher and reinforces the integrity of your work.

Enhancing Understanding

When you engage in paraphrasing, you actively participate in the material you are working with. You are forced to consider the ideas presented in the source material. You need to discern the essential concepts, identify key phrases, and decide how best to convey the message in a way that resonates with you.

This active engagement not only aids in understanding the content but also encourages critical thinking as you evaluate and interpret the information from your own standpoint.

By expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, you deepen your understanding of the content. This process requires you to dissect the original text, grasp its nuances, and then reconstruct it using your language and perspective. In this way, you go beyond mere memorization and truly internalize the information, fostering a more profound comprehension of the subject matter.

Tailoring Information for Your Audience

Paraphrasing empowers you to adapt the language and complexity of the information to suit the needs and understanding of your audience. As you rephrase the content, you have the flexibility to adjust the level of technicality, simplify complex terminology, or tailor the tone to make the information more accessible to your specific readership.

Consider your audience’s background, knowledge level, and interests. Paraphrasing allows you to bridge the gap between the original content and the understanding of your intended audience.

Whether you are communicating with experts in a particular field or a general audience, the ability to paraphrase ensures that the information is conveyed in a way that resonates with and is comprehensible to your readers. This skill not only facilitates effective communication but also demonstrates your awareness of the diverse needs of your audience.

Improves Writing Skills

Paraphrasing helps in the development and refinement of your writing skills. When you actively engage in the process of rephrasing someone else’s ideas, you hone your ability to express concepts in a clear, concise, and coherent manner.

This practice refines your language proficiency, encouraging you to explore different types of sentence structure, experiment with vocabulary, and ultimately develop a more sophisticated and nuanced writing style.

As you paraphrase, you gain a heightened awareness of grammar, syntax, and word choice. This translates into improved writing, helping you construct well-articulated sentences and paragraphs. Moreover, paraphrasing allows you to experiment with different writing tones and adapt your style to suit the context or purpose of your writing, fostering versatility and adaptability in your expression.

Saves Time and Energy

Paraphrasing can significantly reduce the time and energy spent on the writing process. Rather than grappling with the challenge of integrating lengthy direct quotations or struggling to find the perfect synonym, paraphrasing allows you to distill and convey information in a more streamlined way.

This becomes particularly advantageous when faced with strict deadlines. By mastering paraphrasing, you empower yourself to produce well-crafted, original content in a shorter timeframe, allowing you to meet deadlines without compromising the quality of your work.

Examples of Paraphrasing

Here are some examples of paraphrasing:

• Original:  “The advancements in technology have revolutionized the way we communicate with each other.”
• Paraphrased:  “Technological progress has transformed how we interact and communicate with one another.”
• Original:  “Deforestation poses a significant threat to global ecosystems and biodiversity.”
• Paraphrased:  “The impact of deforestation represents a substantial danger to ecosystems and the diversity of life on a global scale.”
• Original:  “Effective time management is essential for achieving productivity in both professional and personal spheres.”
• Paraphrased:  “Efficient management of time is crucial for attaining productivity in both professional and personal aspects of life.”
• Original:  “The restaurant offers a diverse selection of culinary choices, ranging from traditional dishes to modern fusion cuisine.”
• Paraphrased:  “The restaurant provides a variety of food options, including both traditional and modern fusion dishes.”
• Original:  “The novel explores the complexities of human relationships in a rapidly changing society.”
• Paraphrased:  “The book delves into the challenges of human connections in a fast-changing world.”
• Original:  “Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining optimal physical health and preventing various health issues.”
• Paraphrased:  “Exercising regularly is important for keeping your body healthy and avoiding health problems.”

In these examples, you can observe the use of different wording, sentence structure, and synonyms while preserving the core meaning of the original sentences. This is the essence of paraphrasing.

What Are the Differences Between Paraphrasing, Quoting, and Summarizing?

So, we’ve established that successful paraphrasing is a way of rewriting someone else’s words whilst retaining their meaning and still giving credit to the original author’s ideas. But how is this different from quoting and summarizing?

While paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing are all ways of incorporating information from source material into your own writing, there are key differences between them:

Paraphrasing

• Definition:  Paraphrasing involves rephrasing someone else’s ideas or information in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
• Usage:  You use paraphrasing when you want to present the information in a way that suits your writing style or when you need to clarify complex ideas.
• Example:  Original: “The study found a significant correlation between sleep deprivation and decreased cognitive performance.” Paraphrased: “The research indicated a notable link between lack of sleep and a decline in cognitive function.”
• Definition:  Quoting involves directly using the exact words from a source and enclosing them in quotation marks.
• Usage:  You use quoting when the original wording is essential, either because of its precision or uniqueness, or when you want to highlight a specific phrase or concept.
• Example:  Original: “The author argues, ‘In the absence of clear guidelines, individual judgment becomes paramount in decision-making.'”

The use of quotation marks is vital when quoting.

Summarizing

• Definition:  Summarizing involves condensing the main ideas of a source or original passage in your own words, focusing on the most crucial points.
• Usage:  You use summarizing when you need to provide a concise overview of a longer piece of text or when you want to capture the key points without including all the details.
• Example:  Original: A lengthy article discussing various factors influencing climate change. Summary: “The article outlines key factors contributing to climate change, including human activities and natural processes.”

In summary, paraphrasing is about expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, quoting involves directly using the original words, and summarizing is about condensing the main points of a source.

Each technique serves different purposes in writing and should be used based on your specific goals and the nature of the information you are incorporating. If you want to level up your writing skills you need to be able to do all three of these.

Conclusion (In Our Own Words)

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill with numerous benefits. It helps you understand complex ideas, refine your writing style, and demonstrate ethical information use. It also allows you to tailor information for different audiences and can save time in academic and professional writing.

So, if you want to incorporate information from external sources into your writing in a way that is clear, concise, and respectful of the original author’s work, it’s worth mastering the art of paraphrasing.

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How to paraphrase (including examples)

Jessica Malnik

Paraphrasing has gotten a bad reputation due to its association with plagiarism . However, when used correctly, paraphrasing has the potential to elevate your writing and give you a better understanding of the research.

In this post, we’ll discuss what paraphrasing is, why we do it, and 6 steps to walk you through the process. We’ll also share what not to do with paraphrasing, along with some examples.

Paraphrasing definition and rules

Paraphrasing is simply a way of summarizing someone else’s content in your own words. When you paraphrase, you keep the meaning or intent of the original work without copying it word for word. However, paraphrasing can quickly become a form of plagiarism if done incorrectly. This is why it’s crucial to follow the rules of paraphrasing.

When borrowing the ideas from someone else’s content, there’s one important rule to follow: you must correctly cite your source. This can be done in a number of ways depending on the style guide you use. 

Source citing is different for MLA and APA formatting and style guides. You’ll need to familiarize yourself with the citation formats for whichever one you follow. However, in some cases, simply hyperlinking the source will be sufficient.

Why do we paraphrase?

There are a number of reasons that professional writers and students alike choose to paraphrase content. Here are just a few of the common reasons that a writer would choose to paraphrase instead of including a quote or summarization.

Process information better 

One benefit of paraphrasing is that it helps you process the author’s ideas. When you have to rewrite the material in your own words, it makes you really think about the context and how it fits into your piece. If you want to really understand the material you’re citing, try rewriting it. If you were to quote the same information, you would miss out on the benefit of analyzing the source material.

For example, if you are writing a research paper all about Shakespeare’s influence on modern-day literature, you don’t want to just use a ton of direct quotes, instead by paraphrasing original passages, it can help you comprehend and analyze the material better.  

Improve your credibility with readers

You can also improve your credibility by association with the sources you decide to paraphrase. 

When you rewrite the material, you create a connection between your content and the knowledge from the source. 

Your audience will have a better understanding of the direction of your piece if you’re paraphrasing a reputable source with established authority on the subject.

Present data in an interesting way

If you’re referencing a data-heavy webpage or study, then paraphrasing is an engaging way to present the information in your own writing style. 

This allows you to tell a story with the source material instead of simply citing numbers or graphs.

Show that you understand the source

Another reason for paraphrasing that’s particularly important in academic writing is to demonstrate that you’ve read and comprehended the source material. 

For example, if all of you are doing is copying and pasting the original words of a textbook, you aren’t really learning anything new. When you summarize the material in your own words, it helps you to understand the material faster.  

How to paraphrase in 6 steps

Paraphrasing is simple when you break it down into a series of steps. 

Here are the 6 steps you can use to paraphrase your sources:

1. Choose a reputable source

First, you need to pick a credible source to paraphrase. A credible source will likely have ideas and concepts that are worth repeating. Be sure to research the author’s name and publisher’s credentials and endorsements (if applicable).

You’ll also want to check the date of the publication as well to make sure it’s current enough to include in your writing.

2. Read and re-read the source material

You want to be sure that you understand the context and information in the original source before you can begin to rework it into your own words. Read through it as many times as you need so you’re sure that you grasp the meaning.

3. Take some notes 

Once you have an understanding of the passage, you’ll want to jot down your initial thoughts. 

What are the key concepts in the source material? 

What are the most interesting parts? 

For this part, it helps to break up the content into different sections. This step will give you a sort of mini-outline before you proceed with rephrasing the material.

4. Write a rough draft

Write your version of the content without looking at the original source material. This part is important. 

With the source hidden, you’ll be less likely to pull phrasing and structure from the original. You are welcome to reference your notes, though. This will help you write the content in your own words without leaning on the source but still hit the key points you want to cover.

5. Compare and revise

Once you have your initial draft written, you should look at it side by side with the original source. Adjust as needed to ensure your version is written in a way that’s unique to your voice. 

This is a good time to break out a thesaurus if you notice you have used too many of the same words as the original source.

6. Cite your source

Whether you use MLA, APA, Chicago, or another style guide, now is the time to give proper credit to the original author or source. When posting content online, you may only need to hyperlink to the original source.

Keep in mind that the paraphrased text will not change depending on the citation style that you follow. It will just change how it’s cited.

What you shouldn’t do when paraphrasing

Now that you understand the process of paraphrasing and can follow the steps, it’s important that you know what to avoid. When paraphrasing, here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Do NOT write while you’re still researching

You might be tempted to start writing during the research phase. However, this sets you up to miss information or restate the copy too closely to the source material. Be sure to do your research first, take notes, and then start writing the piece.

2. Do NOT skip the citations

When you pull a small amount of information from a paraphrased source, you may think you don’t need to cite it. However, any idea or copy that’s taken from another source is considered plagiarism if you don’t give it credit, even if it is only a little bit of information.

Paraphrasing examples

Here are some examples to help you understand what paraphrasing looks like when done correctly and incorrectly

Excerpt from LinkedIn’s Official Blog:

“When reaching out to connect with someone, share a personalized message telling the person why you would like to connect. If it’s someone you haven’t been in touch with in a while, mention a detail to jog that person’s memory for how you met, reinforce a mutual interest and kickstart a conversation.”

Here’s another example. This one is from the U.S. Department of Education:

“ The U.S. Department of Education does not accredit educational institutions and/or programs. However, the Department provides oversight over the postsecondary accreditation system through its review of all federally-recognized accrediting agencies. The Department holds accrediting agencies accountable by ensuring that they enforce their accreditation standards effectively. ”

Here’s one more example to show you how to paraphrase using a quote from Mark Twain as the source material:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.”

Paraphrasing can be a beneficial tool for any writer. It can give you credibility and a deeper understanding of the topic. However, to successfully use paraphrasing, you must be careful to properly cite your sources and effectively put the material into your own words each time.

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Definition of Paraphrase

Paraphrase and summary, examples of paraphrase in literature, example #1: romeo & juliet (by robert burns).

“But soft, what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon, Who is already sick and pale with grief, That thou, her maid, art far more fair than she … The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars As daylight doth a lamp; her eye in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright That birds would sing and think it were not night .”

Example #2: The Sun Rising (By John Donne)

“Busy old fool, unruly sun, Why dost thou thus, Through windows and through curtains call on us?… Shine here to us, and thou art everywhere; This bed thy center is, these walls, thy sphere.”

Example #3: Pride & Prejudice (By Jane Austen)

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

Example #4: Macbeth (By William Shakespeare)

“Whence is that knocking?— How is’t with me, when every noise appals me? What hands are here! Ha, they pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red.”

Function of Paraphrase

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How to Paraphrase a Sentence Effectively: Techniques and Examples

Putting ideas into your own words while keeping their original meaning is what paraphrasing is all about. This article will help you understand paraphrasing, from its basic ideas to useful methods. We'll look at what is a paraphrase, explore different paraphrasing meaning and examples, and give you practical tips on how to paraphrase a sentence or even how to paraphrase a paragraph.

What is a Paraphrased Sentence?

A paraphrased sentence is when you take someone else's idea and say it in your own words, but keep the same meaning.

What Is an Example of Effective Paraphrasing?

Good paraphrasing is more than just changing a few words. You need to really understand the original text and be able to say that idea in a new way. Let's look at another example of paraphrasing meaning and examples:

Original: "Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity, with many species at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and changing environmental conditions."

Paraphrase: "The Earth's plants and animals are in danger because of changing weather patterns. Many types of living things might disappear as the places they live are destroyed and their surroundings change."

This paraphrase keeps the main idea but uses different words and sentence structure. It shows what is an example of effective paraphrasing.

How to Paraphrase a Sentence

Now that we know what a paraphrase is, let's learn how to make one. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to paraphrase a sentence:

Understanding the Original Sentence

First, you need to fully understand the original sentence. Read it carefully, maybe more than once, to make sure you get its meaning. If there are words you don't know, look them up. Only when you really understand the sentence can you write it in your own words.

Using Paraphrasing Techniques

There are several ways you can paraphrase:

• Use similar words: Replace words with others that mean almost the same thing. For example, "big" could become "large" or "huge".
• Change word types: Turn nouns into verbs, adjectives into adverbs, and so on. For instance, "The dog's bark was loud" could become "The dog barked loudly".
• Change sentence order: Rearrange the ideas in the sentence. You might start with a different part or change a passive sentence to an active one.
• Join or split sentences: If you're working with longer text, you might join short sentences or split longer ones.

Remember, the goal is to rewrite the sentence in a way that sounds natural and keeps the original meaning.

Checking for Meaning Retention

After paraphrasing, it's important to make sure you've kept the original meaning. Compare your paraphrase to the original sentence. Have you included all the main points? Is the overall message the same? If not, change your paraphrase until it correctly shows the original idea.

Adding Proper Citations

Even when you paraphrase, you must say where the original idea came from. This gives credit to the original writer and lets readers check the information. How you cite depends on the style you're using (like APA, MLA, Chicago), but usually, you need to include the writer's name and when it was published.

How to Paraphrase a Paragraph

Paraphrasing a paragraph is similar to paraphrasing a sentence, but on a larger scale:

• Read the paragraph several times to fully understand its main ideas and supporting details. Then, try the "read-cover-recall" method: look away from the original text and write down the key points in your own words. This helps prevent accidentally copying.
• Try 'double paraphrasing'. First paraphrase the paragraph once, then paraphrase your paraphrase. This can help you move even further from the original wording while still keeping the main ideas.
• Try changing the focus of the text. For example, if the original paragraph talks about climate change from an environmental view, try rewriting it from an economic or social view while keeping the main information. This not only makes sure it's original but also shows a deeper understanding of the topic.

After you finish your paraphrase, compare it with the original to make sure you've included all key points and haven't accidentally copied any phrases. Improve your version as needed to make it clear and original.

Common Mistakes When Paraphrasing a Sentence

When learning how to paraphrase, it's important to know about common mistakes. Here are some to avoid:

• Not changing the sentence enough: Just changing a few words isn't enough. Your paraphrase should be very different from the original in both words and structure to avoid copying.
• Changing the meaning: While changing the words, be careful not to accidentally change the meaning of the sentence.
• Forgetting to cite: Remember, even when you paraphrase, you must say where the original idea came from to avoid paraphrasing plagiarism.
• Using too similar sentence structure: Even if you change all the words, keeping the exact same sentence structure can still be too close to the original.

To show these points, let's look at some paraphrasing plagiarism examples:

Original: "The Industrial Revolution, which began in Britain in the late 18th century, was a period of great technological innovation."

Bad paraphrase: "The Industrial Revolution, which started in Britain in the late 1700s, was a time of big technological change."

This paraphrase is too close to the original, with only a few words changed. It could be seen as copying.

Better paraphrase: "In the last part of the 1700s, Britain saw the start of a new time when many new technologies were created, called the Industrial Revolution."

This version keeps the meaning but presents it in a noticeably different way.

Paraphrasing isn't just about changing words — it's a skill that helps you express ideas in new ways. Now that you understand what paraphrasing means and how to do it well, you're on your way to becoming a better writer. Remember, practice helps you improve, so keep trying!

Sometimes, we all need a little help. Imagine having a tool that can help you paraphrase sentences or even whole paragraphs quickly. Aithor doesn't just change a few words here and there; it understands the context and helps you rewrite content in a way that's uniquely yours.

Head over to aithor.com , and you might be surprised at how much time and effort you can save!

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A paraphrasing tool is an AI-powered solution to help you quickly reword text by replacing certain words with synonyms or restructuring sentences. A paraphraser is ideal for rephrasing articles, essays, and various types of content, making the rewriting process seamless and effective.

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing means expressing someone else’s ideas or thoughts in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. It can make your text more concise, clear, and suitable for a specific audience. Paraphrasing is an important skill in both academic writing and professional communication.

Why use this paraphrasing tool?

• Save time: Gone are the days when you had to reword sentences yourself; now you can rewrite an individual sentence or a complete text with one click.
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With the Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool, you can easily reformulate individual sentences.

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Our paraphraser can also help with longer passages (up to 125 words per input). Upload your document or copy your text into the input field.

With one click, you can reformulate the entire text.

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Simply click on any word to open the interactive thesaurus.

• Choose from a list of suggested synonyms
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• Fluency: Improves language and corrects grammatical mistakes

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Upload any Microsoft Word document, Google Doc, or PDF into the paraphrasing tool.

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After you’re done, you can easily download or copy your text to use somewhere else.

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Avoid accidental plagiarism

Want to make sure your document is plagiarism-free? In addition to our paraphrasing tool, which will help you rephrase sentences, quotations, or paragraphs correctly, you can also use our anti-plagiarism software to make sure your document is unique and not plagiarized.

Scribbr’s anti-plagiarism software enables you to:

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1. put your text into the paraphraser, 2. select your method of paraphrasing, 3. select the quantity of synonyms you want, 4. edit your text where needed, who can use this paraphrasing tool.

Paraphrasing tools can help students to understand texts and improve the quality of their writing. 

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Copywriters

By using a paraphrasing tool, you can quickly and easily rework existing content to create something new and unique.

Bloggers can rewrite existing content to make it their own.

Writers who need to rewrite content, such as adapting an article for a different context or writing content for a different audience.

A paraphrasing tool lets you quickly rewrite your original content for each medium, ensuring you reach the right audience on each platform.

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Frequently asked questions

The act of putting someone else’s ideas or words into your own words is called paraphrasing, rephrasing, or rewording. Even though they are often used interchangeably, the terms can mean slightly different things:

Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s ideas or words in your own words while retaining their meaning. Paraphrasing changes sentence structure, word choice, and sentence length to convey the same meaning.

Rephrasing may involve more substantial changes to the original text, including changing the order of sentences or the overall structure of the text.

Rewording is changing individual words in a text without changing its meaning or structure, often using synonyms.

It can. One of the two methods of paraphrasing is called “Fluency.” This will improve the language and fix grammatical errors in the text you’re paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing and using a paraphrasing tool aren’t cheating. It’s a great tool for saving time and coming up with new ways to express yourself in writing.  However, always be sure to credit your sources. Avoid plagiarism.  

If you don’t properly cite text paraphrased from another source, you’re plagiarizing. If you use someone else’s text and paraphrase it, you need to credit the original source. You can do that by using citations. There are different styles, like APA, MLA, Harvard, and Chicago. Find more information about citing sources here.

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Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.

However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly cite the source . This means including an in-text citation and a full reference, formatted according to your required citation style .

As well as citing, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.

Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas in your own words.

So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?

• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if you don’t properly credit the original author.
• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if your text is too close to the original wording (even if you cite the source). If you directly copy a sentence or phrase, you should quote it instead.
• Paraphrasing  is not plagiarism if you put the author’s ideas completely in your own words and properly cite the source .

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Paraphrasing - an overview

Paraphrasing is ..., what are the differences between quoting, paraphrasing & summarising .

• Why Paraphrase?
• Paraphrasing versus Plagiarism
• The Do's and Don'ts of Paraphrasing
• Paraphrasing - examples
• Further Information

Paraphrasing is 'a restating of someone else’s thoughts or ideas in your own words. You must always cite your source when paraphrasing’ (Pears & Shields, 2019 p. 245).  

(Solas English, 2017)

• Quoting means using someone else’s exact words and putting them in quotation marks.. 
• Paraphrasing means expressing someone else’s ideas in your own voice, while keeping the same essential meaning.
• Summarising means taking a long passage of text from someone else and condensing the main ideas in your own words.

Watch the video below for more information.  

(UNC Writing Center, 2019)

• Next: Why Paraphrase? >>
• Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 3:42 PM
• URL: https://lit.libguides.com/paraphrasing

The Library, Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest

English (US)

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AI Paraphrasing Tool

Your words matter, and our paraphrasing tool is designed to ensure you use the right ones. With unlimited Custom modes and 9 predefined modes, Paraphraser lets you rephrase text countless ways. Our product will improve your fluency while also ensuring you have the appropriate vocabulary, tone, and style for any occasion. Simply enter your text into the input box, and our AI will work with you to create the best paraphrase.

Why use QuillBot's paraphrasing tool?

Our Paraphraser has unique features.

Customization

Decide how much vocabulary you want to change.

Use the Synonym Slider to change more (or less) of your writing. Moving the slider to the left will give you a more accurate rephrase with fewer changes; moving it to the right means you’ll get a more creative output with more changes.

Artificial Intelligence

Find the best synonym using an ai-powered thesaurus.

Click on any word in the paraphrase to see a list of suggested synonyms. Then pick the perfect word or phrase to express your meaning!

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How does QuillBot’s Paraphraser work?

QuillBot's online paraphrasing tool uses AI to find new ways to phrase sentences without changing their meaning or context. Think of it like a full-sentence thesaurus.

Paste or type your text

Start by either typing or pasting the text you want to paraphrase into the input box on the left. Or you can upload the document that you would like to paraphrase.

Choose mode

Choose the style you’d like to paraphrase your text in. Once done, you can then click the “Paraphrase” button located near the bottom of the box.

Your text is ready!

When the AI finishes altering the text, it will pop up in the right section of the interface. You can then use the "Copy All" button located in the bottom right corner to easily copy the text.

QuillBot’s Paraphraser helps you write better, faster, and smarter

Our rewording tool is free and easy to use—with just the click of a button, the paraphrasing tool will rephrase your sentence, paragraph, essay, or article to your liking, with many options available to customize and perfect the reworded text.

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In addition to our free paraphrasing tool, QuillBot offers eight other AI writing tools . We’re versatile, flexible, and perfect for any writing project. At QuillBot, we envision a world where writing is painless for everyone. That’s why we’ve built and refined the most robust writing and research platform in the world. Our algorithms are carefully tested for accuracy, and our tools are more dynamic than any others on the market. When you use QuillBot, you can feel confident that your writing is the best it can be. Is there a writing tool that would be helpful to you? Let us know .

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When your draft is complete and you’ve ironed out all of the bumps in your content, put the final polish on your written work quickly and easily with our Grammar Checker . With one click, QuillBot will scan your writing and alert you to any errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, word misuse, and more so that you can easily see what’s amiss and fix it fast.

When it comes to staying on top of your reading list, try our Summarizer . Let QuillBot’s AI sift through research papers, news articles, or long-winded emails to identify the main points and give you a high-level overview of the material. Choose from two options—Bullet Points or Paragraph Mode—to get the summary that’s best for you.

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We know how important it is to properly cite your sources when you’re writing a research paper. When you’re ready to create your reference page, let QuillBot’s Citation Generator help you easily craft full and in-text citations in APA , MLA, or Chicago style. Our Citation Generator is the fastest and easiest way to make citations for your papers, presentations, and other projects.

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Before turning in your paper or publishing your content, be sure to check that you have given proper credit to other authors for their work. QuillBot’s Plagiarism Checker can thoroughly scan your document and highlight any unintentional plagiarism by checking billions of sources on the web, in books, or elsewhere.

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QuillBot’s AI Detector analyzes your writing and gives you a detailed report on any sections that may be AI-generated. Just upload your document or paste your text, and you’ll get your results instantly. Plus, QuillBot is so advanced that it even shows you if any writing is paraphrased from AI-generated words. With AI Detector, you can confidently use AI to do your best work and feel secure in the knowledge that your final drafts are human-written.

Paraphraser FAQs

What is paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing is putting a piece of text into new words without changing the overall meaning. It involves rephrasing sentences or paragraphs, using synonyms, and restructuring the text while still maintaining the core message. You can paraphrase using your own words or with AI writing tools .

What's the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing?

Paraphrasing transforms the text into new words without changing the overall length. On the other hand, summarizing condenses the main ideas of a text into a much shorter version.

How can Paraphraser help academic writers?

Academic writers can use Paraphraser to rephrase cited information, expand or shorten their texts, improve the flow and consistency of their writing, simplify complex language, and more.

What kind of text can I paraphrase with QuillBot's paraphrasing tool?

• Articles or excerpts

Is QuillBot's paraphrasing tool free?

Yes! Our Paraphraser is free to use. You can rephrase up to 125 words at a time, as many times as you’d like. There are no daily limits on free paraphrases. We also offer two free modes: Standard and Fluency. If you’d like to paraphrase more text at once and unlock additional modes, check out QuillBot Premium . Premium offers you unlimited inputs, 9+ paraphrasing styles, and more.

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Paraphrasing Explained: Definition, Techniques, and Examples for Effective Writing

Table of contents

While researching for your article or essay, you might have encountered a sentence or a paragraph that's so intriguing that you thought you must include it in your content! But you can't use those exact words, right?

Well, paraphrasing is the way to do that. However, the idea is not to steal someone's content but to capitalize on it by drafting a much better version while adding your input and research.

You can always have your own piece written and make it more intuitive to your audience while using the original one as a reference.

'It's easier said than done'

'Although the idea sounds like a good one in theory, it will still be difficult to actually execute it.'

Both the above sentences have similar meanings, but they appear different. That's a classic example of paraphrasing.

But how do you paraphrase while keeping the essence of the original sentence intact and still not plagiarising?

That calls for some tips and tricks! And here, we have got you covered.

In this blog, we will explain what is paraphrasing, why you might need to paraphrase, how to paraphrase, and the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing.

Let's dive in.

Table Of Contents

What is paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing is the process of restructuring or tweaking a paragraph so that it represents the same meaning or idea from the original statement but with different sentence construction, choice of words, formats, or, possibly, tone or voice.

It means making the meaning clearer, especially in a shorter and simpler form, along with your thoughts/comments. In addition to borrowing, clarifying, or expanding on information and your comments, paraphrasing is doing all the above-stated actions without plagiarizing the information.

Why do people paraphrase?

There are several reasons why people paraphrase. Following are some of the reasons for paraphrasing.

• Paraphrasing helps avoid plagiarism.
• It also provides support for claims or adds credibility to the writing.
• It demonstrates your understanding and provides an alternative method to using indirect and direct quotes in your own words (referenced) infrequently.
• Paraphrasing in academic research helps utilize source material for writing essays, providing evidence that the essay is appropriately referenced.
• Paraphrasing in writing helps you ensure that you use sources to communicate something important to your readers.

What is paraphrasing plagiarism?

Plagiarism is stealing someone else’s ideas without acknowledgment. Plagiarism can come in several forms: global, verbatim, patchwork, paraphrase, and self-plagiarism. However, apart from global plagiarism, other types of plagiarism are often accidental.

Although paraphrasing is accepted , rephrasing sentences or paraphrasing someone else’s idea without citing or acknowledging is considered paraphrasing plagiarism. Even when translating someone else’s words, if the translated text from another language is not cited, this is also a type of paraphrasing plagiarism.

How to paraphrase?

When it comes to paraphrasing, you can either do it manually or use an AI-powered tool like Writesonic to rephrase your content. While we will guide you through both processes, here is how to paraphrase with Writesonic Content Rephraser.

Check out the steps below:

• Log in to Writesonic or sign up (if you haven't already done so!).
• Search for Content Rephrase and select the tool from the results.

• On the Content Rephrase v2 window, put the text in the Content box.
• Select the Words Length from the drop-down for the rephrased content.
• Select your Brand Voice / Tone of Voice from the list.
• Finally, hit the Generate button.

If you are not satisfied with the output received, simply click on the Regenerate button.

If you want, you can also paraphrase manually without using any tool.  Here is a guide on different techniques to paraphrase effectively,

What is the difference between summarizing and paraphrasing?

Summarizing is a concise statement that briefs the contents of the passage. On the other hand, paraphrasing is just rewriting sentences using your own words. In fact, there is more than one difference between summarizing and paraphrasing.

Check out the comparison chart to learn the differences between summarizing and paraphrasing, besides their definition.

Top 5 tips and tricks to follow while paraphrasing

Following are 5 digestible paraphrasing tips you can incorporate when paraphrasing your sentences.

Identify the important parts

You can't paraphrase until you understand the meaning! In fact, paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the original material. Thus, read the original content until you get enough ideas to explain it in your own words.

Once you have the original concept, reduce it to the key points, and don't focus on the sentence structures at the start. Another way to rewrite or reword the source without losing your key points is to use a paraphrasing tool .

Change up the words

Change the words using synonyms while noting down the concepts or key points. However, if you face writer's block and can’t find the right words, which can make your content incompetent, use rewording tools .

AI rewording tools can come up with synonyms, organize your phrases, and enhance your sentence structure. Moreover, an AI wording tool ensures the content is unique, original, and plagiarism-free.

Make sure meaning is preserved

Although paraphrasing requires rewording and changing the words, ensure that the same meaning must be maintained along with the ideas. In addition to that, keep your word choices lucid and simple to convey the relevant information from the source without sticking too close to the original source.

One way to keep your writing consistent when paraphrasing is by using paraphrasing tools. The AI tool can alter the sentence structure while maintaining the original meaning.

Double-check for grammar and punctuation

When paraphrasing, double-check and compare the paraphrased copy with the original passage. Make adjustments to ensure it’s completely rewritten. Also, make sure that the grammar and punctuation are correct.

Double-checking your work for grammar and punctuation by reviewing it more than once improves its quality. Paragraph rewriters use AI for paraphrasing, which can tweak the tonality and narrative, ensure a grammar check, and make the content concise and conceivable.

Use an online paraphrasing tool like Writesonic

As stated previously in the article, using a paraphrasing tool is the fastest way to paraphrase your sources without plagiarizing them. One such creative AI writing tool that assists you with paraphrasing is Writesonic .

Writesonic is trained on billions of parameters. It refines the grammar, spelling, and style to generate original, paraphrased content. In addition to that, Writesonic generates unique and plagiarism-free content that resonates with the target audience with just one click.

With AI chatbots like ChatGPT by Open AI and ChatSonic by Writesonic taking away all the limelight, they can also be used effectively for paraphrasing text.

Different strategies for paraphrasing

Even though there are AI paraphrasing tools to make the work easier, the following are different strategies you can use to paraphrase your sentence.

Understanding the main ideas

One of the strategies for successful paraphrasing is understanding the source's main idea and writing style. When you understand the idea behind the sentence, it becomes easier to explain in your own words.

After taking note of the important nouns and verbs, see which synonyms might be appropriate to replace. You can use a synonym that expresses the same meaning for the key concepts or points in the original sentence.

Making connections

When you use synonyms, it is given that the structure may also need a little changing. So, instead of just swapping a single word, make appropriate changes around the words to make sense of the sentence. Here, your paraphrasing skills come into play.

Here is an example of paraphrasing: “ According to scientists, there is another method to achieve a pollution-free environment.”

The paraphrased content would say something like - “Scientists found an alternate way to attain a pollution-free environment.”

In the above sentence, the adjective ‘according to’ is swapped with the verb ‘found’ along with other necessary changes. These changes are made to maintain a harmonious connection between the words and to make the sentence sensible while retaining its meaning and avoiding plagiarism.

Focusing on syntax

The syntax is the arrangement of words in a specific order written in well-formed phrases or sentences. While paraphrasing is about restating or rewording, ensure to focus on the well-structured and grammatically correct sentences by making appropriate connections or paraphrases.

Benefits of paraphrasing

Paraphrasing has some benefits that you can reap in aspects of your writing skills and learning abilities.

Improves writing skills

Paraphrasing requires you to change the passages in your own words, which may help refurbish your writing skills. Rewriting or paraphrasing is essential in writing essays or research papers.

Paraphrasing allows you to express ideas or information with a fresh set of words to make the same thing sound more interesting or even simpler. You can see paraphrasing as an opportunity to enhance your writing skills without plagiarizing someone else’s work. This includes rewriting and expressing the ideas in your own voice.

Increases comprehension

Comprehension is understanding the written material and explaining what is read. At the same time, paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the complex details from the source and your ability to explain the connections between main points. Therefore, it's obvious that you can comprehend a text better when you paraphrase it.

Moreover, it was found that paraphrasing for comprehension is an excellent tool for reinforcing reading skills. It can assist by identifying the main ideas, finding supporting details, and identifying the original author's voice.

So when you rewrite the sentence in your own words, you can double-check your comprehension. This helps improve your awareness and allows you to gain a better understanding of the content, and allows you to write better.

Enhances understanding

To paraphrase words or phrases, you must extract their meaning by reading the material again and again and fully understanding the context. This allows the reader to understand the original statement more clearly by adding more clarity to it. So, when you paraphrase the original phrase, you articulate your thoughts and ideas more clearly and come up with new insights and perspectives on the topic.

Saves time & energy

Creating content from scratch is difficult and requires much time and energy. It requires you to do proper research, which is both time and energy-consuming.

An easy solution to the painstaking process is paraphrasing your sentence with appropriate citations. This will allow you to create the content without spending much time on research and ideation, saving much of your time and energy.

Helps avoid plagiarism

Among all the benefits, the most favorable benefit of paraphrasing is that it helps you avoid the accusation of plagiarism. You are simply committing plagiarism (an offense as stated by the federal government) when you use the same idea and speech from the original text, word by word.

However, by rewording the original source, you can present the ideas in your own words and easily avoid plagiarism. What’s more, paraphrasing can save you in both accidental and deliberate cases of plagiarism.

Paraphrasing examples

Now that we have known all about paraphrasing, its reasons for use, and its benefits, let’s look at some examples of paraphrasing and how exactly you can paraphrase.

#1 Example of Paraphrasing

#2 Example of Paraphrasing

Final Words

Once you grasp the concept of paraphrasing, it can be a powerful tool for writers. It provides several benefits in aspects of writing and learning skills. The correct way and right use of paraphrasing can protect writers from accusations of plagiarism.

However, note that successful and correct paraphrasing requires the use of multiple techniques each time. So, it is not sufficient to simply replace the keywords or the main concepts with synonyms.

One of the easiest ways to reword the original source is by using an AI writing tool. Writesonic is a well-known AI paraphrasing tool that can refine grammar, spelling, and style to generate original plagiarism-free AI content .

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Paraphrase: Definition and Useful Examples of Paraphrasing in English

What is a paraphrase? You may have heard someone using the word paraphrase when talking about the English language, and this is a concept which is very commonly used. But what do people mean when they talk about paraphrasing? In this article, we are going to be looking at exactly what a paraphrase is and how it is used. We are also going to be taking a look at some examples of paraphrasing as a way to gain a greater understanding of the concept.

What Is A Paraphrase?

In the most simple terms, paraphrasing is altering the wording used by someone else into your own words. The way that this is achieved is by rewriting the text with completely different words and phrases whilst keeping the original meaning intact . It is vital that when you paraphrase anything the original meaning is kept, and the key points are still acknowledged.

Some people may choose to quote the words of others within their speaking or writing and this is done by using the exact same words as the original speaker or writer and placing quotation marks around them to highlight that they were said by someone else. With a paraphrase, you are changing what was said in the original text.

It is important to remember that when you are paraphrasing something, that you provide references for the reader.

Why Do People Paraphrase?

There may be a variety of reasons why someone would opt to use paraphrasing over quoting. Let’s take a look at some of these reasons now.

• Being able to paraphrase a piece of text can show the author has a very clear understanding of the original text, so well that they are able to rewrite it into their own words.
• On top of the previous point, it also shows the reader that you fully understand what you have read and can relay it clearly and concisely.
• Paraphrasing gives you the chance to expand your own knowledge by explaining something in your own words. Often times, we learn better when we are absorbing information and paraphrasing is an excellent chance to do that.
• Paraphrasing is much more flexible than simply quoting the words of someone else.
• When you paraphrase a piece of text, you have the chance to use fewer or more words and sentences than the original depending on how you want your written work to come across.

When Is It Right To Paraphrase?

Sometimes simply quoting the words of another person is enough, however, there are times when it is preferable to paraphrase. Let’s take a look at what would make the ideal time to paraphrase:

• If a quote would be too lengthy
• You feel that your own wording would get the point across more easily.
• You are paraphrasing something with a large piece of writing.

How To Paraphrase

There are some easy steps that you can follow at times when you need to paraphrase, let’s take a closer look at these now.

• Read and make sure that you understand the original piece of writing.
• Make a note of the key ideas.
• Write a version of the text in your own words without referring back to the original.
• Compare the two with one another, making any amendments to the new version.
• Reference the source.

There are also some handy tips that can make paraphrasing very simple when you need to do it.

• Begin your new version of the text at a different point than where the original begins.
• Make good use of synonyms.
• Consider changing the sentence structure such as changing from a passive voice to an active voice.

Paraphrase Examples

Now that we have a good understanding of what paraphrasing is and what it is used for, we are ready to start looking at some examples. Studying these examples will give you a better understanding of how the process works.

Paraphrasing Example 1

Original text.

Many people consider classical music as being a broad range of styles, however, the classical period only falls into a small period of time in the 1700/1800’s. What many people believe as being classical music may well be baroque or romantic music for example. The composer, Beethoven lived and worked in the romantic era of music and as such his music falls into the romantic category, but most people would call him a classical composer. The same can be said for J S Bach, who, whilst being commonly referred to as a classical composer, was, in fact, a baroque musician .

Paraphrased Version

Over the years, there have been many periods of music with the classical period being the most famous and the most referred to. With that it mind, the classical period is often misused when it comes to talking about certain composers. Beethoven, one of the most well-loved composers from history is often called a classical composer, however, his career fell in the romantic period. Hundreds of years before this there lived another famous composer who is often credited as being classical, J S Bach was a baroque composer with the style being evidently clear.

We can see in both pieces that the key points have been retained but the wording has been totally overhauled.

Paraphrasing Example 2

Let’s look at a further example.

In the time of the baroque era, there were nowhere near as many musical instruments available in the orchestra for composers to work with. If you listen to music from this time regularly, you will be able to hear that the harpsichord was a favoured instrument, almost fashionable at the time. However, later down the line as more instruments became available, classical composers would make the most of this and you begin to hear more strings and wind instruments in the pieces. As time progressed, even more, many of the romantic composers favoured the piano with many pieces featuring simply a piano and one other instrument, also known as a concerto.

Depending on what period of time a piece of music was written will highly depend on what instruments were used. This was mainly due to a lack of options in the earlier days of music, with composers being limited to their choices. One of the most popular options in the baroque era was the harpsichord, giving the music of this period a unique sound that is easily recognisable to the discerning ear. Moving through the years, more instruments entered into the various sections of the orchestra giving composers greater freedom with the sounds they could create. The piano became a popular choice during the romantic era with many concertos being composed for this instrument along with one other, quite often a violin.

Paraphrasing is a great skill to have as it enables you to rewrite a piece of text using your own words whilst keeping the main points. There are certain techniques which can be used whilst paraphrasing that make it easier to do.

Paraphrase Infographic

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Definition of paraphrase

 (Entry 1 of 2)

Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

Did you know?

When we paraphrase, we provide a version that can exist beside the original (rather than replace it). We paraphrase all the time. When you tell a friend what someone else has said, you're almost always paraphrasing, since you're not repeating the exact words. If you go to hear a talk, you might paraphrase the speaker's main points afterward for your friends. And when writing a paper on a short story, you might start off your essay with a paraphrase of the plot. Paraphrasing is especially useful when dealing with poetry, since poetic language is often difficult and poems may have meanings that are hard to pin down.

• restatement
• translating
• translation

Examples of paraphrase in a Sentence

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'paraphrase.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Noun and Verb

Middle French, from Latin paraphrasis , from Greek, from paraphrazein to paraphrase, from para- + phrazein to point out

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

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Cite this Entry

“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrase. Accessed 29 Sep. 2024.

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Kids definition of paraphrase.

Kids Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

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Paraphrase: Write It in Your Own Words

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Paraphrasing is one way to use a text in your own writing without directly quoting source material. Anytime you are taking information from a source that is not your own, you need to specify where you got that information.

A paraphrase is...

• Your own rendition of essential information and ideas expressed by someone else, presented in a new form.
• One legitimate way (when accompanied by accurate documentation) to borrow from a source.
• A more detailed restatement than a summary, which focuses concisely on a single main idea.

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...

• It is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage.
• It helps you control the temptation to quote too much.
• The mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original.

6 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing

• Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.
• Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.
• Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.
• Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.
• Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source.
• Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

Some examples to compare

Note that the examples in this section use MLA style for in-text citation.

The original passage:

Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers . 2nd ed., 1976, pp. 46-47.

A legitimate paraphrase:

In research papers, students often quote excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 46-47).

An acceptable summary:

Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources to help minimize the amount of quoted material in a research paper (Lester 46-47).

A plagiarized version:

Students often use too many direct quotations when they take notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In fact, probably only about 10% of the final copy should consist of directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of source material copied while taking notes.

A note about plagiarism: This example has been classed as plagiarism, in part, because of its failure to deploy any citation. Plagiarism is a serious offense in the academic world. However, we acknowledge that plagiarism is a difficult term to define; that its definition may be contextually sensitive; and that not all instances of plagiarism are created equal—that is, there are varying “degrees of egregiousness” for different cases of plagiarism.

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• How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples

Published on 8 April 2022 by Courtney Gahan and Jack Caulfield. Revised on 15 May 2023.

Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words. Paraphrasing a source involves changing the wording while preserving the original meaning.

Paraphrasing is an alternative to  quoting (copying someone’s exact words and putting them in quotation marks ). In academic writing, it’s usually better to paraphrase instead of quoting. It shows that you have understood the source, reads more smoothly, and keeps your own voice front and center.

Every time you paraphrase, it’s important to cite the source . Also take care not to use wording that is too similar to the original. Otherwise, you could be at risk of committing plagiarism .

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Table of contents

How to paraphrase in five easy steps, how to paraphrase correctly, examples of paraphrasing, how to cite a paraphrase, paraphrasing vs quoting, paraphrasing vs summarising, avoiding plagiarism when you paraphrase, frequently asked questions about paraphrasing.

If you’re struggling to get to grips with the process of paraphrasing, check out our easy step-by-step guide in the video below.

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Putting an idea into your own words can be easier said than done. Let’s say you want to paraphrase the text below, about population decline in a particular species of sea snails.

Incorrect paraphrasing

You might make a first attempt to paraphrase it by swapping out a few words for  synonyms .

Like other sea creatures inhabiting the vicinity of highly populated coasts, horse conchs have lost substantial territory to advancement and contamination , including preferred breeding grounds along mud flats and seagrass beds. Their Gulf home is also heating up due to global warming , which scientists think further puts pressure on the creatures , predicated upon the harmful effects extra warmth has on other large mollusks (Barnett, 2022).

This attempt at paraphrasing doesn’t change the sentence structure or order of information, only some of the word choices. And the synonyms chosen are poor:

• ‘Advancement and contamination’ doesn’t really convey the same meaning as ‘development and pollution’.
• Sometimes the changes make the tone less academic: ‘home’ for ‘habitat’ and ‘sea creatures’ for ‘marine animals’.
• Adding phrases like ‘inhabiting the vicinity of’ and ‘puts pressure on’ makes the text needlessly long-winded.
• Global warming is related to climate change, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing.

Because of this, the text reads awkwardly, is longer than it needs to be, and remains too close to the original phrasing. This means you risk being accused of plagiarism .

Correct paraphrasing

Let’s look at a more effective way of paraphrasing the same text.

Here, we’ve:

• Only included the information that’s relevant to our argument (note that the paraphrase is shorter than the original)
• Retained key terms like ‘development and pollution’, since changing them could alter the meaning
• Structured sentences in our own way instead of copying the structure of the original
• Started from a different point, presenting information in a different order

Because of this, we’re able to clearly convey the relevant information from the source without sticking too close to the original phrasing.

Explore the tabs below to see examples of paraphrasing in action.

• Journal article
• Newspaper article
• Magazine article

Once you have your perfectly paraphrased text, you need to ensure you credit the original author. You’ll always paraphrase sources in the same way, but you’ll have to use a different type of in-text citation depending on what citation style you follow.

Generate accurate citations with Scribbr

It’s a good idea to paraphrase instead of quoting in most cases because:

• Paraphrasing shows that you fully understand the meaning of a text
• Your own voice remains dominant throughout your paper
• Quotes reduce the readability of your text

But that doesn’t mean you should never quote. Quotes are appropriate when:

• Giving a precise definition
• Saying something about the author’s language or style (e.g., in a literary analysis paper)
• Providing evidence in support of an argument
• Critiquing or analysing a specific claim

A paraphrase puts a specific passage into your own words. It’s typically a similar length to the original text, or slightly shorter.

When you boil a longer piece of writing down to the key points, so that the result is a lot shorter than the original, this is called summarising .

Paraphrasing and quoting are important tools for presenting specific information from sources. But if the information you want to include is more general (e.g., the overarching argument of a whole article), summarising is more appropriate.

When paraphrasing, you have to be careful to avoid accidental plagiarism .

Students frequently use paraphrasing tools , which can be especially helpful for non-native speakers who might have trouble with academic writing. While these can be useful for a little extra inspiration, use them sparingly while maintaining academic integrity.

This can happen if the paraphrase is too similar to the original quote, with phrases or whole sentences that are identical (and should therefore be in quotation marks). It can also happen if you fail to properly cite the source.

To make sure you’ve properly paraphrased and cited all your sources, you could elect to run a plagiarism check before submitting your paper.

To paraphrase effectively, don’t just take the original sentence and swap out some of the words for synonyms. Instead, try:

• Reformulating the sentence (e.g., change active to passive , or start from a different point)
• Combining information from multiple sentences into one
• Leaving out information from the original that isn’t relevant to your point
• Using synonyms where they don’t distort the meaning

The main point is to ensure you don’t just copy the structure of the original text, but instead reformulate the idea in your own words.

Paraphrasing without crediting the original author is a form of plagiarism , because you’re presenting someone else’s ideas as if they were your own.

However, paraphrasing is not plagiarism if you correctly reference the source . This means including an in-text referencing and a full reference , formatted according to your required citation style (e.g., Harvard , Vancouver ).

As well as referencing your source, make sure that any paraphrased text is completely rewritten in your own words.

Plagiarism means using someone else’s words or ideas and passing them off as your own. Paraphrasing means putting someone else’s ideas into your own words.

So when does paraphrasing count as plagiarism?

• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if you don’t properly credit the original author.
• Paraphrasing is plagiarism if your text is too close to the original wording (even if you cite the source). If you directly copy a sentence or phrase, you should quote it instead.
• Paraphrasing  is not plagiarism if you put the author’s ideas completely into your own words and properly reference the source .

To present information from other sources in academic writing , it’s best to paraphrase in most cases. This shows that you’ve understood the ideas you’re discussing and incorporates them into your text smoothly.

It’s appropriate to quote when:

• Changing the phrasing would distort the meaning of the original text
• You want to discuss the author’s language choices (e.g., in literary analysis )
• You’re presenting a precise definition
• You’re looking in depth at a specific claim

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Gahan, C. & Caulfield, J. (2023, May 15). How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 27 September 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/paraphrasing/

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Courtney Gahan

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WRIT 0020-307 202430 Critical Writing Seminar: Craft Of Prose: Examples of Paraphrase

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Paraphrases—rewordings of text—need to be cited. Paraphrasing without providing a citation is plagiarism. Even paraphrases with citations can be instances of plagiarism if they are so similar to the original that the paraphraser claims credit for the original author's language.

A paraphrase that avoids plagiarism:

• cites the source of the material being paraphrased.
• differs enough from the original that it doesn't require quotation marks.

Paraphrase Examples

Wines drunk at Greek tables did not always come from Greece itself. The wine snobbery of the time extolled the merits of wines from the slopes of Mount Lebanon, from Palestine, Egypt and Magna Graecia-Greater Greece, i.e., southern Italy. The ten litres a day drunk by the famous wrestler Milo of Croton was a wine famous in Calabria, where Milo lived: this wine, Ciro, is still made.

from Maguelone Toussaint-Samat's A History of Food (Cambridge: Blackwell, 1992. 263).

Wines drunk by Greeks were not always made in Greece itself. The wine snobs of that period celebrated wines from Mount Lebanon, Palestine, and Egypt. The famous wrestler Milo of Croton, who consumed ten liters of wine a day, drank wine made in Calabria outside of Greece; this wine, Ciro, is still made.

This paraphrase plagiarizes in two ways:

1. By having no citation, the paraphrase misleads readers into believing that the ideas, facts and sense of the passage are a result of the author's own research and knowledge.

2. The language of the paraphrase is too similar to the original. Even if the author had provided a citation, some instructors would consider this plagiarism.

Not Plagiarism:

Although Greeks were picky about their wine, they enjoyed wine from outside Greece. Upstanding Greeks enjoyed wine from many of Greece's local trading partners—including Palestine, Egypt and southern Italy. One story tells of the famous wrestler Milo of Croton, who consumed ten liters of foreign wine daily (Toussaint-Samat 263).

This paraphrase cites the original and rephrases its words to create an original construction.

Paraphrase that Uses Too Much of the Original Language

Up, up, up, groping through clouds for what seemed like an eternity....No amount of practice could have prepared them for what they encountered. B-24s, glittering like mica, were popping up out of the clouds all over the sky.

from Thomas Childers. Wings of morning: the story of the last American bomber shot down over Germany in World War II , Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley (1990), 83. 

Up, up, up he went, until he got above the clouds. No amount of practice could have prepared the pilot and crew for what they encountered-B-24s, glittering like mica, were popping up out of the clouds over here, over there, everywhere.

This comes from The Wild Blue: The Men and Boys Who Flew the B-24s over Germany  by Stephen E. Ambrose. Ambrose cites but does not quote Childers' original work despite using its imagery and language.  Ambrose should have either used Childers' passage as a direct quotation or modified his own passage so that it consisted of his own language.

Not Plagiarism

 Despite their training, the pilot and crew's experience was surreal and surprising, seeing for the first time "B-24s, glittering like mica, ... popping up out of the clouds all over the sky" (Ambrose 83).

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Home > Blog > How to Paraphrase (With Examples)

How to Paraphrase (With Examples)

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• Updated: May 24, 2024
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Good paraphrasing can make or break academic writing. Whether you’re writing a research paper, blog post, or article, you must master the art of paraphrasing. Learning to paraphrase effectively shows your grasp of the source material and enhances your essay’s readability.

In this guide, we’ll explore a few basic but valuable techniques for paraphrasing. From reworking a single sentence to rephrasing entire paragraphs, mastering these skills will ensure your writing remains plagiarism-free and engaging.

We’ll also cover the differences between paraphrasing and quoting, plus show you how AI can assist in the process.

Are you ready to refine your paraphrasing skills? Let’s dive in!

1. Rearrange Sentence Structure

To keep the information the same while paraphrasing, focus on changing the way you convey it.

A useful technique is to start by altering the sentence structure. Sentence structure involves the arrangement of words within a sentence, and modifying this can help create a new version of the original sentence while retaining the core meaning.

• Original: Sharon is a management student with a zeal for basketball. He has roots in England, but he relocated to New York after his father changed his job. His father is very supportive of his passion for sports.
• Paraphrased: Sharon is a basketball enthusiast pursuing a management course. He belongs to England, but with a change in his father’s career, they moved to New York. His passion for sports is supported by his father.
• Original: “Sharon is a management student with a zeal for basketball.”
• Paraphrased: “Sharon is a basketball enthusiast pursuing a management course.”

2. Use Synonyms

Another effective paraphrasing technique is to use synonyms. Many plagiarism-checking tools detect unique content by comparing words. By replacing words with their synonyms, you can create a new sentence without changing its meaning. This method can be particularly useful when you need to maintain the original structure but want to avoid direct copying.

• Original: Wastage is a consequential issue prevailing for a long time now. Numerous prevention measures are implemented by government and social organizations. However, the situation has taken an unpleasant turn. Heavy utilization of electronic gadgets has resulted in a rise in e-waste, which needs serious action.
• Paraphrased: Wastage is a serious issue that has been existing for so long. Prevention measures are taken by the government and non-profit organizations. Yet, the situation has taken an uglier turn. Extensive usage of gadgets has led to e-waste, which is severe.
• “Consequential” becomes “serious”
• “Prevailing” becomes “existing”
• “Numerous” becomes “several”
• “Unpleasant” becomes “uglier”
• “Heavy utilization” becomes “extensive usage”

3. Change Parts of Speech

Changing parts of speech is another useful strategy for paraphrasing.

By converting nouns to verbs, adjectives to adverbs, or vice versa, you can rephrase sentences effectively while keeping the original meaning intact. This method helps in creating variations in sentence structure and vocabulary.

• Original: Jack is a diligent employee in this office. He stays active to solve problems in his organization. Last week, after eating his lunch, he used his remaining free time for work. If he keeps working like this, he will find success in it.
• Paraphrased: Jack works diligently in his office. He stays active in finding solutions to problems in his organization. Last week, after lunch, he worked during his remaining time. If he works like this, he will become successful.
• “Diligent employee” becomes “works diligently”
• “Solve problems” becomes “finding solutions”
• “Used his remaining free time for work” becomes “worked during his remaining time”

4. Use Idioms

Using idioms or expressions to replace simple words can add a creative twist to your paraphrasing. Idioms can make the text more engaging and convey the same meaning in a more interesting way.

This technique is particularly useful when the original text is straightforward and you want to add some flair to it.

• Original: Leonard wished Penny luck! Sheldon believes in looking for smarter ways instead of exerting his body. Penny earns a big buck, so she does not need any side gig.
• Paraphrased: Leonard wished to break a leg for Penny. Sheldon believes in looking for smarter ways instead of breaking a sweat. Penny makes a lot of money, so she does not need any side gig.
• “Wished Penny luck” becomes “wished to break a leg for Penny”
• “Exerting his body” becomes “breaking a sweat”
• “A big buck” becomes “a lot of money”

5. Shorten or Combine Sentences

Combining shorter sentences or breaking long sentences into shorter ones is another effective paraphrasing strategy. This method helps in varying sentence length and structure, making the text more readable and dynamic.

You can combine sentences that share similar ideas or break down complex sentences for clarity.

• Original: Illiana is a good singer. Isha sings well too. The audience also listens to Jubin and John. Raman is an engineer, who works with a reputed company, and makes good money with it.
• Paraphrased: Illiana, Isha, Jubin, and John are famous singers. Raman is an engineer who works with a reputed organization. He makes good money from it.
• Combine: “Illiana is a good singer. Isha sings well too. The audience also listens to Jubin and John” becomes “Illiana, Isha, Jubin, and John are famous singers.”
• Shorten: “Raman is an engineer, who works with a reputed company, and makes good money with it” becomes “Raman is an engineer who works with a reputed organization. He makes good money from it.”

6. Turn Quotes to Indirect Speech

Turning direct quotes into indirect speech is a preferred method of paraphrasing, especially when you need to incorporate quotes into your writing seamlessly. This technique involves changing the verb tense and pronouns while retaining the original meaning. It helps in making the text flow more naturally.

• Original: Sheikha said, ‘I will take care of all the work.’ Sheldon said, ‘I want to eat Chinese food for lunch.’ Penny said, ‘ I find Sheldon annoying’.
• Paraphrased: Sheikha said she would look after the work. Sheldon said he wanted to eat Chinese food for lunch. Penny said Sheldon was annoying.
• “I will take care of all the work” becomes “she would look after the work”
• “I want to eat Chinese food for lunch” becomes “he wanted to eat Chinese food for lunch”
• “I find Sheldon annoying” becomes “Sheldon was annoying”

7. Use a Paraphrasing Tool

If you want to save time and effort, consider using paraphrasing tools like Smodin.io.

These tools can quickly generate paraphrased content while maintaining the original meaning. They have advanced features that enhance the quality of the content, making them a convenient option for efficient paraphrasing.

By following these strategies, you can effectively paraphrase text while keeping the original meaning intact. Whether you choose to manually paraphrase or use a tool, these methods will help you create unique content.

How to Paraphrase Sentences

In this section, we’ll demonstrate effective paraphrasing techniques using content from Jared Diamond’s Guns, Germs, and Steel.

When paraphrasing, it’s crucial to rewrite the idea in your own words completely. You want to maintain the original intent but alter the structure and the vocabulary. This method will ensure you convey the same information without the risk of plagiarising.

Let’s look at the second sentence of Diamond’s book: 

“In the 13,000 years since the end of the last Ice Age, some parts of the world developed literate industrial societies with metal tools, other parts developed only nonliterate farming societies, and still others retained societies of hunter-gatherers with stone tools.”

If we were to paraphrase that, we might say: 

“Since the last Ice Age 13,000 years ago, different regions have progressed differently. Some developed literate societies with metal tools, while others remained with basic farming or hunter-gatherer lifestyles using stone tools.”

Of course, we can also use Smodin’s AI Rewriter to do the work for us. Smodin allows users to modify the rewriter’s “strength” on a scale of one to four. The higher the strength, the greater the changes will be.

Setting Smodin’s AI tool to the max and plugging in the same sentence, we get: 

“Over the course of the past 13,000 years since the conclusion of the last Ice Age, various regions of the world have experienced divergent paths of development, resulting in the emergence of literate industrial societies with advanced metal tools in certain areas, nonliterate farming societies in others, and the preservation of hunter-gatherer societies relying on stone tools in yet other regions.”

As you can see, the AI-generated paraphrase provided by Smodin’s AI Rewriter offers a superior version. The sentence structure is more elaborate and refined and enhances the overall sophistication of the text.

This version maintains the original message’s integrity while expanding the vocabulary and descriptive elements. The information is more engaging and comprehensive for the reader. We can even break the sentence into several sentences and use the text to create a complete paragraph.

If we ask Smodin’s AI Chat to do just that, we get this: 

“Over the past 13,000 years, since the end of the last Ice Age, different regions globally have followed diverse paths of development. This has led to the rise of literate industrial societies with advanced metal tools in some areas. In contrast, other regions have seen the growth of nonliterate farming societies. Additionally, there are still regions where hunter-gatherer societies have persisted, relying on stone tools for their way of life. The evolution of these various societies showcases the intricate and varied progress of human civilization over millennia.”

How to Paraphrase Paragraphs

Speaking of longer texts, let’s discuss how to paraphrase paragraphs properly.

Paraphrasing longer texts, like an entire paragraph, requires a deep understanding of the larger text. You must preserve the original content’s essence while still presenting the information in a fresh way.

To illustrate, let’s use a paragraph from the second paragraph of Jared Diamond’s book Guns, Germs, and Steel :

“In July 1972 I was walking along a beach on the tropical island of New Guinea, where as a biologist I study bird evolution. I had already heard about a remarkable local politician named Yali, who was touring the district then. By chance, Yali and I were walking in the same direction on that day, and he overtook me. We walked together for an hour, talking during the whole time.”

A student might paraphrase this paragraph for an essay as follows:

“In his book, Jared Diamond recounts an encounter in July 1972 on a New Guinea beach where he was researching bird evolution. Diamond describes meeting Yali, a notable local politician who was visiting the area.”

Of course, we can once again have Smodin do the work for us: 

“In his seminal work Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond recounts an incident from 1972 while researching bird evolution on a beach in New Guinea. During his fieldwork, he fortuitously encountered Yali, a prominent local politician who was also visiting the area. This chance meeting led to a prolonged dialogue between the two as they walked along the beach, discussing various topics for an hour.”

Once again, the AI comes out on top. The tone is more academic, and the structure enhances the sophistication of the narrative. It also refines the details into a concise and compelling recounting of the event.

The scholarly language is still appropriate for an academic setting, but the storytelling elements are greatly enhanced. This enhancement makes the passage more engaging and effortlessly sucks the reader in.

How to Cite a Paraphrase

Understanding how to cite a paraphrase is paramount to maintaining academic integrity. You must also provide your readers a pathway to the original source material. Let’s use APA guidelines as an example of how to cite the above paraphrase.

In APA style, the in-text citation would be as follows: 

(Diamond, 1997, p.13)

The reference list entry would then be: 

Diamond, J. (1997). Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.

As for the paraphrased paragraph itself, APA style dictates that in-text citations be placed directly after the paraphrased content within your text. The goal is to reference the source of the ideas you have rephrased:

“In his seminal work Guns, Germs, and Steel, Jared Diamond recounts an incident from 1972 while researching bird evolution on a beach in New Guinea. During his fieldwork, he fortuitously encountered Yali, a prominent local politician who was also visiting the area. This chance meeting led to a prolonged dialogue between the two as they walked along the beach, discussing various topics for an hour (Diamond, 1997, p. 13).”

Of course, the Smodin suite of AI tools can help you cite your sources in any standard format you require. Whether you’re writing an English Literature paper in MLA, a Psychology report in APA, or a research article in Chicago style, Smodin’s AI tools can help.

By automatically formatting your citations correctly, you ensure your document adheres to the required academic standards by automatically formatting your citations correctly.

Paraphrasing vs. Quoting: What’s The Difference?

Understanding the difference between paraphrasing and quoting is essential for essay writing. Many students often confuse the two, but paraphrasing and quoting should not be used interchangeably.

When to Use Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing should be used when you want to express someone else’s ideas in your own words without losing the original meaning. It is best used when you want to make complex information more understandable and seamlessly integrate it into your essay.

Paraphrasing is also helpful when commenting on or analyzing the source material. Effective paraphrasing allows you to showcase your understanding and interpretation of the source material while integrating your unique perspective.

When to Use Quotes

Quotes are best when the original words are critical and would be lost if paraphrased. Always use quotes when you want to emphasize a point using an authoritative voice.

Quotes are best when dealing with definitions, statistics or when the exact wording is needed to bolster your argument. Quotes should cause your reader to stop and focus on the statement’s significance.

How to Avoid Plagiarism

If you’re looking to avoid plagiarism, there are a few simple steps you can follow to ensure you maintain academic integrity.

• Cite Your Sources: Always credit the original authors of any ideas or direct quotes you use in your work.
• Use Paraphrasing: Rephrase the original text into your own words, avoiding copying the sentence structure or wording directly.
• Use Plagiarism Checkers: Tools like Smodin’s Plagiarism Checker can help identify any sections of your text that are too close to the source material, allowing you to revise them accordingly.
• Keep Track of Your Research: As you research, keep notes on where you source information, which will make it easier to reference and cite appropriately.

Can you paraphrase technical or scientific terms?

Generally, technical or scientific terms are specific and defined and should be used in their original context. However, the descriptive content around these terms can and should be paraphrased to match your writing style and tone.

To paraphrase means to give words another meaning or to express oneself differently using someone else’s words. Paraphrasing gives the exact sense of a word or phrase without changing its original form.

Beyond Plagiarism

Best Practices for the Responsible Use of Sources

Patchwriting as a Technique

I’m trying to paraphrase, but i can’t get far enough from the original language to make it my own. what can i do.

Paraphrasing can be difficult when you’re struggling to understand what a source is saying in the first place. Authors (and you, too!) spend a lot of time carefully choosing the words that they use, but sometimes unfamiliar jargon (the technical terms used in a particular field) can make it hard for you to respond to the original text. Learning academic jargon is just like becoming fluent in a foreign language: you might need to practice using new vocabulary and sentence structures in order to become comfortable with communicating in a new way.

Patchwriting happens when you rephrase a portion of source material, but your language remains too close to the vocabulary and/or sentence structure of the original text. All patchwriting is a kind of paraphrase, but successful paraphrase is not patchwritten.

If you use patchwriting in the final draft of an essay, your teachers will likely see this as an act of plagiarism since you are not directly quoting the original author or successfully using paraphrase or summary to put the author’s ideas into your own words. But patchwriting can have its place in the early stages of note-taking: it can be a useful step in the process of becoming fluent in the language of a particular field or subject, as long as the patchwriting does not remain in your final draft.

So where and when is patchwriting useful?

Let’s say you encounter the following quotation while doing research on the role of women in early 20th century college athletics:

“The logic of separate spheres easily applied to athletics, where physical differences required separate activities. At college the goals of the womanly woman and the manly man included physical fitness. Advocacy of physical exercise took hold during the first generation [of female college students, 1860s-1880], with doctors and educators observing both the dyspeptic tendencies of the young educated male and the chronic weakness of the female participant.”

Solomon, Barbara Miller.  In the Company of Educated Women: A History of Women and Higher Education in America.  New Haven, CT, Yale University Press, 1985, p. 103.

Paraphrase Attempt 1:

Mid-19th century society used physical differences to justify dividing activities into gender-specific separate spheres. Even though college men and women were both encouraged to exercise, the exercises they were to perform were divided because of these sex differences. This was because experts wanted to make sure that college education did not weaken the bodies of students who needed to be properly manly men, and womanly women after their school days were over.

If this paraphrase was in your final draft, you’d have a lot of problems. First of all, the language is too close to the original text without any quotations or citations–phrases like “separate spheres” and “manly men, and womanly women” are taken directly from the original text without attribution, while others like “manly, not sickly, young men” are technically not plagiarized, but they are a little too close to the original text. Text in red in the paragraph above is language that is much too close to the language of the original text. This is a classic example of patchwriting, where unfamiliar terminology (“separate spheres”) is borrowed from the original text.

But if this is the case, why are we talking about patchwriting in the first place?

While not appropriate for a final draft, patchwriting can be part of the process to help you to better understand your source material. Noticing where you have the most difficulty putting the original argument into your own words can point you to concepts that you might need to look up. In this example, you might need to do some research to understand what the “logic of separate spheres” really means. See Module II: Finding Sources if you need help figuring out where to look for this kind of definition.

Logic of separate spheres refers to one of the central ideals of 19th century American culture: that women and men had distinct (separate) physical, mental, and emotional capabilities that corresponded to the assignment of different social roles. Men were seen as best suited for public life and women for private, or domestic, activities.

If we go back to our paraphrase, we can see that this patchwriting is an attempt to figure out what these “separate spheres” are in terms of the argument that the original author is making. Here, patchwriting is being used to help you better understand the original text.

Now that you’ve clarified what these terms mean, you need to figure out what is really important about the original text for the argument you’re making. Doing so is important because even a short quotation can be used to support several different kinds of arguments in your own essay. Your act of patchwriting can help you identify the different components you noticed in the original author’s argument.

You could break down the author’s argument using the author’s original language, but in this case, it’s difficult for you because the author’s original argument is too full of jargon. Your patchwritten paraphrase attempt can make it easier to distill the most important parts of the author’s argument.

Now let’s look at your patchwritten paraphrase sentence by sentence:

Sentence 1) Mid-19th century society used physical differences to justify dividing activities into gender-specific separate spheres.

Sentence 2) Even though college men and women were both encouraged to exercise, the exercises they were to perform were divided because of these sex differences.

Sentence 3) This was because experts wanted to make sure that college education did not weaken the bodies of students who needed to be properly manly men, and womanly women after their school days were over.

For the sake of this exercise, let’s say you want to emphasize the point made in Sentence 2 in order to support the following argument: women were encouraged to be involved in an athletic culture, but football was seen as a sport that was too aggressive for women to play.

Once you’ve figured this out, return to the original source to see if a simple quotation would serve you. In this case, none of the three sentences in the original quote would provide all the information you want to offer, so you’re going to have to turn to paraphrase.

Let’s turn your patchwriting into paraphrase, using what you know about how you want to use this information and what you know about the importance of citing sources.

Paraphrase attempt 2:

Historian Barbara Miller Solomon has argued that exercise was seen as an important part of a mid-19th century college curriculum for both men and women, but cultural ideas about masculinity and femininity meant that each group was using exercise to achieve different roles in society (103).

As you can see, patchwriting helped us to identify unfamiliar jargon (“separate spheres”), determine what the original source was trying to say (cultural ideas about masculinity and femininity that determined different roles in society) and identify what part of the original source text we wanted to use to support our argument.

(Solomon 103)

Sometimes you might need to paraphrase the same passage several times, as we did here, to get away from the original language and sentence structure of the original.

Make sure that any paraphrase is always cited so that your reader can go back to the original source text if she wants to learn more about the author’s argument.

There are a lot of debates around the usefulness of patchwriting, and we’ve drawn our argument from scholars and researchers who see it as a potentially productive step in your writing process.

If you want to learn more about patchwriting, check out this video by Rebecca Moore Howard , the scholar who developed this concept.

Note: If you don’t see the video, allow Flash to run.