Embedded Files
Paraphrasing means to put someone else's idea into your own words. Most of the time when using information from your sources, it should be paraphrased rather than quoted. This allows you to integrate information from many sources and maintain your voice as a writer. It takes a bit of thought to paraphrase completely, but it's important to do so, since minimally paraphrased text can be flagged as plagiarism!
Here are five easy steps to paraphrasing effectively:
Read the passage several time to fully understand the meaning.
Make note of key concepts.
Write your version of the text without looking at the original. Pretend you're explaining it to a friend. Don't worry if your paraphrase is longer than the original or sounds less academic. Those are signs you have paraphrased well.
Compare your paraphrase with the original text. Make adjustments to words and phrases that remain too similar. Use different vocabulary, word order, and grammatical structures, but make sure to maintain the original meaning.
Cite the source, even though it's now in your own words.
Page updated
Report abuse