A Quick Guide to Paraphrasing Source Material During the Writing Process

There often comes a time when authors want to put another source into their own words. If the author does not feel up to the task, paraphrasing services can help during the proofreading and editing process.

Paraphrasing is an important aspect of writing and can improve the document’s quality. In short, paraphrasing involves taking another person’s source material and rewriting it in the author’s voice, all while maintaining the tone, message, voice and intent of the original material.

Paraphrasing requires an understanding of nuance and context. A paraphrasing service will employ a rigid approach, similar to the steps employed by a proofreading and editing service, when the author has sent their work over for a review.

The first thing to remember is to cite the source. Doing so alleviates the threat of plagiarism. For example, a paraphrasing service will highlight, usually in the form of comments, where the writer has neglected to recognise where the material came from. The writer can then perform the correct acknowledgement; the document’s associated style guide will clarify the method of in-text citation.

Proofreading and editing services, meanwhile, can check to ensure that paraphrased text is not too similar to the original: overly familiar copy runs the same risk of plagiarism. A successful paraphrase will have a natural flow that more accurately replicates the writer’s own style, shows an understanding of the topic and recognises other people's efforts in helping compile the document.

A simple solution is to use synonyms, although the author should ensure that any replacements convey the same meaning, have a matching tone of voice and do not make the text more-wordy. The key is to remember which terms not to remove because doing so could alter the meaning.

Keywords, specialist terminology, names and so on will most likely not need changing because they are a commonly used part of the topic. In other words, they will always form part of the discourse, regardless of the writer. A paraphrasing service, however, will ensure that the content surrounding such material has been changed and modified, and a proofreading and editing service will check that the updated text makes sense.

The writer should always show that they have understood the source, which will mean reading said material, identifying the key message and attempting to replicate it.

One thing to consider is reorganising the structure of paragraphs or sentences by introducing breaks. Short sections make information easier to digest and allow for more creativity when making a point.

Equally, the writer could change the order in which the source material is presented, as long as the new material does not change the original’s meaning. The writer should also remember to use quotation marks, with an acknowledgement, if they want to retain any specialist information without rewriting it.

A paraphrasing service can help show how the writer could reword content. Consider this aspect of proofreading and editing as a safety net and a chance to refine any attempts to replicate another person’s writing.

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