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• What is Paraphrasing? An Overview With Examples
• Learn English
• James Prior
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• 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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• 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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– 7 min read

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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Table of Content

The Definition of Paraphrase

Why do you need to paraphrase, paraphrasing, quoting, summarizing: what’s the difference, how to paraphrase, benefits of paraphrasing, example of a paraphrase, how to cite paraphrased text, what is paraphrasing.

We are surrounded by text wherever we go, whether online, in books, text messages, emails, or stores. The text can be anything from stories to opinions, and everything in between. But what happens when you find a text you really like and want to share, but you don’t want to write it exactly as it was said? Enter paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing is a nifty alternative to using quotes, where you copy the exact words and place them in quotation marks. It allows you to rephrase the text in a way that reads more clearly and smoothly while allowing your personal voice to sing through.

But what exactly is paraphrasing and how is it different from quoting or summarizing? Below, we’ll break it all down and include some examples to demonstrate. We’ll also look at the benefits of using a paraphrasing tool when writing. Let’s get into it.

According to the Cambridge Online Dictionary, the definition of paraphrase is to write or say something using different words while maintaining the meaning. Paraphrasing is normally used to make sentences simpler, shorter, or clearer.

When you restate someone else’s ideas, opinions, or thoughts in your own words, you need to cite the source. Even though you’ve paraphrased their words, you’re still using their concepts.

There are various reasons why you’d want or need to paraphrase text. Below are a few of the most common reasons:

• Avoids plagiarism
• Adds credibility and support for claims
• Helps use source material as evidence that’s easy to read while appropriately referencing
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the original text
• Offers an alternative to quoting (directly and indirectly)
• Allow you to maintain your voice throughout the text

There are a few distinct differences between paraphrasing, quoting, and summarizing. Below, we’ll explore them in-depth.

Paraphrasing vs Quoting

As you know, paraphrasing is taking someone’s words, understanding the meaning, and rewriting the content in your own words. Quoting, on the other hand, is taking someone’s words exactly as they were said or written and placing them in inverted commas to show you are stating what someone said directly, word for word.

In most cases, it’s better to paraphrase than quote because:

• You can maintain your own voice throughout your article, blog, or paper
• Paraphrasing demonstrates your understanding of the original text
• Quotes cause interruptions in fluidity and reduce readability

That said, there are some cases where quoting is the better option, such as:

• When you want an exact definition
• You’re providing evidence to support an argument
• The author’s style or language is useful to your point
• When analyzing or critiquing a claim

Paraphrasing vs Summarizing

As we mentioned, when you paraphrase text, you’re writing the text in your own words. The text will normally be the same length or slightly shorter than the original.

When you take text that is fairly lengthy and reduce it to just the key points so the end result is considerably shorter, it is called summarizing.

Quoting and paraphrasing are used as tools to present information from specific sources. If the information you’re including is more general, such as using one or two points to demonstrate the overarching argument in an article, it’s called summarizing.

Now that you understand how paraphrasing differs from quoting and summarizing, let’s look at how you can paraphrase text.

• Start by reading the text several times. This is to ensure you thoroughly understand the context of the statement and its meaning.
• Write your own version of what you read without looking at the original text.
• Look at your text and the original text side-by-side. If the two are too similar, make changes to your text while maintaining the meaning.
• Check your spelling (especially names), grammar, and punctuation.
• Cite the source of the original text at the end of your paraphrased text.

Quick tips for paraphrasing

• Begin at a different point than the original text.
• Synonyms are your best friend - use them as much as possible when it makes sense.
• Change the sentence structure - switch up active and passive voice, for example.
• Break up longer sentences into shorter ones, or vice versa.

Paraphrasing with AI

If you still have trouble paraphrasing on your own, opt for paraphrasing tools online.

Utilize the Paraphrasing Tool with HIX.AI

When it comes to paraphrasing text efficiently, you can always count on HIX.AI's paraphrasing tool . Whether you need to paraphrase a sentence , a paragraph , or even an entire article , this tool has the answers.

Powered by GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 , this paraphrasing tool does more than just simple word substitutions. Instead, it understands the context and essence of the original text and generates paraphrases with the same meaning but different expressions in a human-like way.

It also offers several customization options to tailor the output according to your specific needs. You can adjust the level of creativity, select your target audience and tone of voice, and choose different languages for paraphrasing.

In short, it's a convenient and reliable paraphrasing tool that's worth a try.

Discover Other AI Paraphrasing Tools Online

Besides HIX.AI, there are numerous AI platforms that offer paraphrasing services. For example, QuillBot and Wordtune.

QuillBot is an advanced paraphrasing tool that uses AI to rephrase and restructure sentences, paragraphs, or articles.

It offers various modes such as Standard, Fluency, Creative, and Concise to cater to different writing styles and purposes. QuillBot will also provide multiple alternative rephrased versions, allowing users to choose the one that best fits their needs.

Furthermore, QuillBot offers a browser extension, integrated with platforms like Google Docs to enhance user experience.

Click on to learn more about QuillBot and its alternatives.

Wordtune serves as an AI writing assistant and paraphrasing tool designed to help users improve the quality and clarity of their writing. It provides suggestions for rephrasing sentences, offering alternative word choices, and improving overall readability.

Like HIX.AI and QuillBot, it offers an extension that integrates with platforms like Google Docs to assist users in various writing contexts.

Explore more about Wordtune and its alternatives by clicking here.

HIX Bypass is a powerful paraphraser that utilizes sophisticated AI humanization techniques to rewrite AI text and make it human-like enough to bypass any AI detector. Unlike most rewriting tools, it goes beyond simple word replacement by intelligently altering aspects of the text such as the vocabulary, syntax, and tone.

Since it works with any AI language model out there such as ChatGPT, Bard, GPT-4, and Jasper, it can be relied on to deliver a perfect human score. This means consistently bypassing extremely stringent AI detectors like Originality.ai and GPTZero , just to name a few.

In addition, any rewritten content will not only be unique and plagiarism-free but also contextually accurate to the original text. Another added benefit is that HIX Bypass has multilingual support, which lets you rewrite content in over 50+ native languages.

Rewrite Your Text With HIX Bypass To Bypass AI Detection >>>

If you want to evade AI detectors like GPTZero and Originality.ai, BypassGPT is another reliable rewriter that can help you humanize any AI text in seconds. It is trained to mimic natural human writing styles effectively, making any AI text sound more authentic while retaining the original meaning.

Whether the content was generated using Bard, ChatGPT, GPT-4, or even Jasper, the output will be entirely plagiarism-free and deliver a 100% human result.

BypassGPT also has three different humanization modes and it even caters to SEO optimization, as you can include keywords to ensure the content ranks highly in SERPs. Plus, the rewritten text is made to sound so human that it can evade spam filters every time.

Paraphrase AI Content Using BypassGPT To Make It Sound Human >>>

There are a few solid benefits to be gained for your learning abilities and writing skills by paraphrasing. These include:

Improved Writing Skills

When you paraphrase text, you need to write paragraphs and passages of text in your own words based on your understanding. This helps you bolster your writing skills, especially when you need to come up with creative synonyms while maintaining the meaning.

Paraphrasing lets you express information or ideas in a short, simple, refreshing way, giving you the opportunity to remove plagiarism while enhancing your writing skills. What better way to build your skills than to express ideas in your own authentic voice.

Increased Comprehension

Put simply, comprehension is the understanding of what has been written and the ability to explain it. As we’ve mentioned, paraphrasing allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the details and concepts in the original text by connecting the points and explaining the meaning.

Paraphrasing is also fantastic to reinforce your reading skills. It assists you by finding supporting details, identifying main concepts, and establishing the author’s voice and keeping true to it. When you rewrite the text in your own words, you need to double-check your comprehension by seeing if the meaning has transferred. This improves your awareness while allowing you to get a better understanding of the text.

Save Energy and Time

Writing content from a blank slate can be challenging and requires a lot of energy and time. You need to do in-depth research, fact-checking, and analysis, which is energy and time-consuming.

A simple solution to this rather painstaking process is to paraphrase the sentence or paragraph that backs up your argument. This allows you to create content without the muss and fuss of research and ideation. It’s a win-win.

Let’s look at an example of paraphrasing text correctly.

Original : “It makes such a difference when there is reciprocity, mutual respect, and a whole lot of love and laughter. When you have experienced genuine love, appreciation, and interest on a weekly basis from someone who calls you a friend, they have set the bar pretty high for anyone else who wants to be called a friend” (Johns, 2023)

Paraphrased : It is truly remarkable how reciprocity, mutual respect, and an abundance of love and laughter can truly transform relationships. When you have had the privilege of experiencing authentic love, appreciation, and sincere interest from someone who considers you a friend on a regular basis, they have established a remarkably high standard for those seeking the title of a true friend (Johns, 2023).

You can easily see that the sentences have been moved around, many synonyms have been used, sentence structure has changed, and personality has been included.

Ensure the following:

• Only include information that’s relevant to the point you’re trying to make.
• If the text is scientific, start the paraphrase with the signal text, “Doctors/scientists/researchers say/believe/found that…”
• Retain keywords or phrases that reinforce the meaning.
• Always structure the sentences differently from the original. Write the text based on your understanding and in a way you would say it.
• Present the information in a different order.

How you cite paraphrased text will be determined by the citation format required (i.e., MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.). In-text citations will normally be MLA or APA and look like this:

MLA : (Johns 187)

APA : (Johns, 2023, p187)

For Chicago footnotes, you will use this format:

Austin Johns, “Understanding boundaries within friendships and relationships,” Journal of Psychology and Sociology 42, no. 16 (2023): 187. https://journalofpsychology.com

So, what does paraphrasing mean in the grand scheme of things? It means that you can use text that others have written while maintaining your style and voice. Quotes can create stilting in your text while summarizing is only appropriate in certain circumstances.

Using a paraphrasing tool is a quick and simple way to ensure you’re paraphrasing correctly while maintaining the meaning and integrity of the original text. Let’s be honest: no one wants to be sourced for a statement that someone else has incorrectly paraphrased. Always ensure the text you’ve created is true to the original.

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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

Using Sources

Paraphrasing.

So why paraphrase?  Paraphrasing offers a way to maintain your own writing style and voice throughout the writing.  It helps cut down on the number of different styles from different sources, creating a sleeker, easier reading experience for your reader.  Most of all, though, paraphrasing is a means of helping you understand what your sources are saying, in order to incorporate that information into your own writing.  You have to understand the source’s ideas fully in order to rewrite them clearly.

When you paraphrase, make sure not to simply substitute one word for another, retaining the same sentence structure.  Paraphrasing requires you to use your own sentence structures as well as words, so that you are not inadvertently plagiarizing the source.

• There is no good reason to use a quote to refer to your evidence. If the author’s exact words are not especially important to the point you are trying to make, you are usually better off paraphrasing the evidence.
• You are trying to explain technical information or complicated language to a more general reading audience.
• You are trying to explain a particular a piece of evidence in order to explain or interpret it in more detail. This might be particularly true in writing projects like critiques.
• You need to balance a direct quote in your writing. You need to be careful about directly quoting your research too much because it can sometimes make for awkward and difficult to read prose. So, one of the reasons to use a paraphrase instead of a quote is to create balance within your writing.

Writing a Paraphrase

Make sure that you understand the original text that you intend to paraphrase.  Rewrite that text at least twice, in your own words.  After the first rewriting, set the paraphrase aside for a short time.  When you go back to it, you’ll most likely see that you’ve tended to retain some of the original text’s wording and sentence structure.  On a second (or third, or fourth) rewriting, try to make the language and sentence structure your own, while retaining the meaning of the original text. If you find that the original text uses a key word or phrase that you don’t want to rewrite, know that you can always include it in quotation marks within your paraphrase.  Finally, make sure to attribute the paraphrase at the start (e.g., “According to…”) and include a citation at the end.  Your readers should be able to distinguish your own information from paraphrased information, and the attribution and citation signal the beginning and end of the paraphrase.

Paraphrasing Example

Mr. President, I confess that I do not entirely approve of this Constitution at present; but, Sir, I am not sure I shall never approve it; for, having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged, by better information or fuller consideration, to change my opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.

Benjamin Franklin tells the president of the Constitutional Convention that he does  not entirely  approve of the Constitution at the  present  time, but that he is not sure  he will never approve it . He points out that he has lived a long time, and in his experience there have been  many instances  when  better information of fuller consideration  of a topic have made him change his opinions  on important subjects  that he had originally thought to be correct. He points out that he finds himself more likely to doubt his own judgment the older he gets, and contrasts his knowledge of his own fallibility with other people’s conviction of their infallibility.

Benjamin Franklin tells the president of the Constitutional Convention that although he is currently uncertain about the Constitution they have created, he may eventually acknowledge its effectiveness. This is due, he explains, to new information or a different understanding of similarly important topics that have caused him to change his mind in the past.

Paraphrase Checklist

• Have you used your own words and sentence structures?
• Even though the wording is your own, have you carefully retained the meaning of the original text
• Did you attribute the paraphrase at the start, using language in some way that explains that you’re paraphrasing another’s text? (e.g., “Smith states that…”)
• Did you cite the paraphrase correctly at the end, using a standard citation format for in-text citations?
• Did you cite the paraphrased source in the Works Cited list at the end of the essay?

Paraphrasing Practice #1

Paraphrasing is a skill that takes time to develop. One way of becoming familiar with paraphrasing is by examining successful and unsuccessful attempts at paraphrasing. Read the quote below from page 179 of Howard Gardner’s book titled Multiple Intelligences and then examine the two attempts at paraphrasing that follow [1] .

Paraphrasing Attempt 1: America has now gone too far toward formal testing, without realizing the costs and limitations of exclusively emphasizing that approach (Gardner 179).

Paraphrasing Attempt 2: In the United States, the education system places too much emphasis on formal testing, overlooking the limitations and expenses imposed when that assessment strategy is employed exclusively (Gardner 179).

Paraphrasing practice #2

The original passage:

“Scientists and policymakers generally agree that the likelihood of flooding in the UK will increase as a result of climate change. It is also accepted that sensible land use and development planning plays a role in the management of flood risk, while allowing necessary development to continue” (Dept…Government, 2006, Evans et al., 2004; Thorne et al., 2007).

The paraphrase:

Scientists and policymakers agree that climate change means that the likelihood of UK flooding will increase. It is also agreed that the role of sensible land use and development planning are important in the management of flood risk, also allowing necessary development to continue (Dept…Government, 2006; Evans et al., 2004; Thorne et al., 2007).

Answer these questions about the paraphrase example from above to decide if it is a good or bad paraphrase.

1. Has the student changed a lot of the words from the original passage?

2. Has the student changed the word order and structure compared to the original passage?

3. Has the student included a citation for the information?

4. Overall, do you think this is a good paraphrase?

View  Writing with Sources: Paraphrasing & Quotation , an interactive resource for a review and self-test on paraphrasing and quoting sources. (Please click on the text link.)

• Gardner, Howard. Multiple Intelligences: New Horizons in Theory and Practice. BasicBooks, 2006. ↵
• Paraphrasing. Revision and adaptation of the page Using Sources in Your Writing at https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/text-using-sources-in-your-writing/, the page Paraphrasing at https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/text-paraphrasing/, and the page Using Sources in Your Writing at https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introtocollegecomp/chapter/text-using-sources-in-your-writing/ which are revisions and adptations of the sources listed below. Authored by : Susan Oaks. Provided by : Empire State College, SUNY OER Services. Project : College Writing. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Using Sources in Your Writing. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/text-using-sources-in-your-writing/ . Project : English Composition I. License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike
• Paraphrasing. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-englishcomposition1/chapter/text-paraphrasing/ . Project : English Composition I. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Using Sources in Your Writing . Provided by : Lumen Learning. Located at : https://courses.lumenlearning.com/introtocollegecomp/chapter/text-using-sources-in-your-writing/ . Project : Introduction to College Composition. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Information on Quoting and Paraphrasing from the Academic Integrity Tutorial. Authored by : DiMenna-Nyselius Library. Provided by : Fairfield University. Located at : http://librarybestbets.fairfield.edu/c.php?g=476878&p=3335282 . License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Paraphrasing. Provided by : Texas A&M University Writing Center. Located at : http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Handouts-Guides/Handouts-(Get-It-Written)/Citing/Paraphrasing . Project : Grounds for Argument. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Using Information Ethically, Avoiding Plagiarism Paraphrasing Example. Provided by : Loyola Marymount University, William H. Hannon Library. Located at : http://electra.lmu.edu/LGRL/UIE2014/ . Project : Lion's Guide to Research and the Library. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Quoting Examples from Paraphrasing, and Avoiding Plagiarism. Authored by : Steven D. Krause. Located at : http://www.stevendkrause.com/tprw/chapter3.html . Project : The Process of Research Writing. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• Benjamin Franklin example from Chapter 5: Using Materials from Sources. Authored by : Denise Snee, Kristin Houlton, Nancy Heckel. Edited by Kimberly Jacobs. Located at : http://lgdata.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/docs/679/734444/Snee_2012_Research_Analysis_and_Writing.pdf . Project : Research, Analysis, and Writing. License : CC BY-NC-SA: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike
• image of man writing on notepad, with open laptop on desk. Authored by : StartupStock Photos. Provided by : Pixabay. Located at : https://pixabay.com/en/write-plan-desk-notes-pen-writing-593333/ . License : CC0: No Rights Reserved
• interactive video Writing with Sources: Paraphrasing & Quotations. Authored by : Kelsey Foote, Brett Sherman, Dan McCrea. Provided by : SUNY Empire State College. Located at : https://escoer.sunyempirefaculty.net/iitg_2017/iitg_paraphrasing/story_html5.html . License : CC BY-NC: Attribution-NonCommercial

Writing Lab

Paraphrasing.

• What is Paraphrasing?
• Tips for Paraphrasing
• Well-Written Paraphrase

Academic writing often requires students to integrate information found in source material.  There are various ways to do this: quotations, summaries, or paraphrases. 

Paraphrasing is:

• A detailed restatement of a source's main ideas in your own words.
• Not your opinions or interpretations of those ideas.

When incorporating a paraphrase into your writing, you must provide a citation, just as you would for a direct quotation. Even though you are writing in your own words, you are paraphrasing someone else's ideas. The ideas are not your own. 

• Next: Tips for Paraphrasing >>
• Last Updated: Jun 14, 2024 9:43 AM
• URL: https://guides.rasmussen.edu/paraphrasing

Table of Contents

Collaboration, information literacy, writing process, chapter: paraphrasing.

January 18, 2020

Paraphrasing – How to Paraphrase with Clarity & Concision

What Is a Paraphrase? Paraphrase refers to the act of rephrasing a specific part of someone’s spoken or written words, especially in a way that might be shorter or simpler, while ensuring the original meaning remains intact. Paraphrase involves more than just changing individual words with synonyms, altering sentence structure, or reordering sentences. It requires ...

June 25, 2012

When to Paraphrase

Academic writing requires authors to connect information from outside sources to their own ideas in order to establish credibility and produce an effective argument.

Sometimes, the rules surrounding source integration and plagiarism may seem confusing, so many new writers err on the side of caution by using the simplest form of integration: direct quotation. However, using direct quotes is not always the best way to use a source. Paraphrasing or summarizing a text is sometimes a more effective means of supporting a writer’s argument than directly quoting. Taking into consideration the purpose of their own writing and the purpose of utilizing the outside source, authors should seek to vary the ways in which they work sources into their own writing.

March 20, 2010

Double-Entry Response Format

The double-entry format is a useful technique to help you extend your thinking about a source or to critique an rhetor’s text. One very effective technique for avoiding note-bound prose is to respond to powerful quotations in what  Ann Berthoff calls the double-entry notebook form. The double-entry form shows the direct quotation on the left ...

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What The Heck Is Paraphrasing? Might Be The Most Helpful Communication Skill

By Paola Pascual on September 8, 2021

What the heck is paraphrasing? Well, it turns out it might be one of the most helpful communication skills you’ll learn for your professional life. It consists of rewriting paragraphs or sentences, using different words and structures, to convey the same message. Read how it can help you and how to do it.

Paraphrasing definition

Paraphrase meaning: To paraphrase means to express the meaning of something using different words, usually –though not always– to achieve greater clarity.

What is the purpose of paraphrasing?

Although most dictionary definitions mention that the main goal of paraphrasing is achieving greater clarity, there’s so much more to it. Check out some of the situations in which paraphrasing will help you thrive.

#1 Achieve greater clarity

You can help others understand you better by tweaking the message (the words, the structure, the register). Imagine you are the project manager of a new product feature. If you have to explain the process to a new developer, you will need to explain all the technical aspects and details. Perhaps, they don’t understand a word or two, and you will need to explain this same message again using different terms. Here are some paraphrasing sentences to achieve greater clarity:

• Original: It is paramount that we accentuate the beneficial effects that this program has had.
• Paraphrase:  It is very important that we stress the beneficial effects of this program.
• Original:  May I take this opportunity to remind applicants that any special request should be sent to the email address below provided.
• Paraphrase:  If your application includes any special request, please email us at [email protected].

#2 Grab your audience’s attention

Now, take that same example and imagine you’re explaining this new feature to the whole team. You may then want to summarize or simplify, as most of your coworkers might not need to know all the technical details. In this case, you’re paraphrasing to suit your audience and grab their attention by giving them only what they need –instead of everything .

Look at the examples below. In the original sentence, the CTO is talking to one of the developers, while in the paraphrased sentence, she is talking to an Account Manager.

• Original: The list for that query is populated manually by the server from users, and we are not able to determine that engagement list from such a complex expression.
• Paraphrase: Please, remember to set the user status manually.

#3 Sell more

Learning to paraphrase will help you be more persuasive – to sell, to negotiate, to attract new customers. Repetition is a persuasive strategy widely used in marketing, politics, and sales. It consists of using moderate repetition in an argument, and it is based on the psychological basis that suggests that low to moderate levels of repetition within a message tend to make the receptors more open and in agreement with the argument. However, this repetition will be more impactful if done subtly. That is -if you find different ways to make the same argument repeatedly.

#4 Formulate someone else’s ideas in your own words

Another example of paraphrasing is when you formulate someone else’s ideas or messages in your own words. Instead of quoting someone (in written or spoken form), where you copy what another person has said with their exact words, you rephrase the message using different words. 

This is helpful in academic writing because it shows that you have understood the source and you are integrating it within your own narrative –though always remember to cite the original source (otherwise you will be committing plagiarism!).

Paraphrasing techniques

The following techniques are some of the most common ways in which you can reword a message.

#1 Changing vocabulary. Use synonyms and keywords to reword the original message.

• Original: The government of Denmark declared that the COVID crisis is no longer a threat.
• Paraphrase: Danish authorities announced that the COVID issue is not that dangerous anymore.

#2 Changing word category.  Turn nouns into verbs, verbs into nouns, adverbs into adjectives, or adjectives into adverbs.

#3 Modifying sentence pattern.  Alter the order of ideas or express the same idea with a different sentence structure.

• Original: His personal secretary assisted him to complete the report. [verb]
• Paraphrase: He completed the report with the assistance of his personal secretary. [noun]

#4 Changing the register. Adapt the message from formal to informal, or vice versa.

• Original:  Any loss of this document should be reported immediately. [formal]
• Paraphrase: If you lose this doc, let us know ASAP. [very informal] / If you lose this document, please report immediately. [neutral]

#5 Adapting the level of depth. Turn a specific message into a more general one, or vice versa. Omit information that your recipients don’t need or add details if necessary.

• Original:  Our account manager needs to manually set a user’s status manually because the the system is not able to determine the engagement list from such a complex expression.
• Paraphrase: Our account manager needs set the user status manually.

Learning how to paraphrase effectively will help you navigate the workplace in a more confident way. It takes practice, so you will want to try with a few examples. If you would like guidance from one of our communication experts, get in touch or join a free webinar.

Paraphrasing tool

You can also paraphrase a fragment by using a paraphrase generator. They’re tools that rewrite your text and help you find different ways of expressing your message. It won’t be the same as learning how to do it yourself,  but it may be helpful when you need to reformulate a piece of text. They can also help you “test” your paraphrasing skills and give you new ideas during your learning process. An interesting tool to paraphrase online is QuillBot . Play around with it and try to paraphrase, summarize, and check your grammar with a text you wrote. You can select the level of accuracy (from only changing words to implementing structural changes) and it is free to use online.

You can find more paraphrasing tools here but, again, these writing tools can come in handy and help you with your writing, but learning how to paraphrase on the go is a very powerful tool that we encourage you to learn.

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Academic Writing & Research

An online resource for students and researchers

What is Paraphrasing and Why Does it Matter in Academic Writing

In the worlds of academic writing, journalism, and professional communication, paraphrasing is a skill that often goes unnoticed but plays a pivotal role in conveying information effectively and ethically. But what is paraphrasing exactly? In this post, we explore the art of paraphrasing, what it entails, and why it matters in various contexts.

What Is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is the process of rephrasing or rewording a piece of text, whether it’s a sentence, a paragraph, or an entire document, in your own words while retaining the original meaning. The goal is to convey the same message but with a different sentence structure or wording. Essentially, it’s like expressing someone else’s ideas using your unique voice.

The Importance of Paraphrasing

• Avoiding Plagiarism : Plagiarism, the act of using someone else’s work without proper attribution, is a grave academic and ethical offence. Paraphrasing is a tool that allows writers to incorporate others’ ideas and research while avoiding plagiarism. It demonstrates respect for intellectual property and academic integrity.
• Enhancing Understanding : When you paraphrase, you’re not just changing words; you’re engaging deeply with the source material. This process often leads to a better understanding of the content. It forces you to break down complex ideas and present them in a way that makes sense to you and your readers.
• Fostering Critical Thinking : Paraphrasing encourages critical thinking. To rephrase effectively, you need to analyze the original text, identify its core ideas, and then find a new way to express them. This process sharpens your analytical skills and helps you become a more thoughtful writer.
• Tailoring Information : Different audiences require different writing styles and levels of technicality. Paraphrasing allows you to tailor information to your audience’s needs. For instance, you can take a complex scientific study and present its findings in simpler terms for a general audience.
• Improving Writing Skills : Paraphrasing is a valuable writing exercise. It challenges you to think creatively, expand your vocabulary, and experiment with sentence structure. Over time, this practice can significantly improve your overall writing skills.

How to Paraphrase Effectively

• Read Carefully : Start by thoroughly understanding the source material. Highlight key points and note any technical terms or phrases.
• Put It in Your Own Words : Once you’ve grasped the essence of the content, rewrite it using your unique voice and style. Focus on conveying the same message without duplicating sentence structure or phrasing.
• Use Synonyms : Replace words or phrases with synonyms to avoid direct copying. Be cautious, however, as not all synonyms have the exact same meaning or connotation.
• Maintain Original Meaning : Ensure that the paraphrased version retains the original meaning. Don’t distort or misinterpret the source material.
• Cite Your Sources : Even though you’re rephrasing, it’s crucial to provide proper attribution to the original author or source. This demonstrates honesty and respect for intellectual property.

Main takeaway

Paraphrasing is a valuable skill that enables writers to incorporate external information into their work while maintaining ethical standards and enhancing their understanding of the material. Whether you’re a student, journalist, blogger, or professional communicator, mastering the art of paraphrasing can greatly improve the quality and impact of your writing. It’s not just about changing words; it’s about making ideas accessible and engaging to your audience.

Glenn Stevens

Academic writer and researcher. PhD supervisor. Glenn is also a qualified English teacher. He previously had an extensive career in publishing. Lives in the UK. Need help paraphrasing? Why not contact Glenn!

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What Is Paraphrasing? 4 Types And Examples

Paraphrasing is a valuable writing skill that goes beyond the rewording of text. It's about capturing the essence of an idea and presenting it in a new and engaging manner. 

This writing technique helps you avoid plagiarism and create content that resonates with your audience and ranks well on search engines.

In this article, we will explore what paraphrasing is and how you can apply it to your content writing

What you will learn

• What paraphrasing is and its importance in content writing.
• How paraphrasing can help you reference someone else's ideas and research papers in your writing, using your own words.
• 4 paraphrasing techniques you can leverage.
• The difference between paraphrasing, summarizing, and rephrasing.

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is when you rewrite something in your own words while maintaining the original meaning.

It is a writing technique that requires a deep understanding of the original text. You must fully grasp the concepts and nuances to reframe them without altering the intended meaning.

Paraphrasing is commonly used in content writing to use a piece of information without committing plagiarism or when trying to make it more understandable and relatable to your audience.

Here’s an example of how we’ve used paraphrasing in the Surfer blog to define the Pareto Principle.

Here is the text from the original Wikipedia source.

The paraphrased text conveys the same point using different words and phrases. It has simplified the concept, and it mentions the original source material. You can see that this is effective paraphrasing.

You can use Surfer’s paraphrasing tool to improve the readability and flow of your writing.

The free paraphraser can help you rephrase paragraphs and sentences to ensure they are clear, engaging, and professional without losing their original message.

Why is paraphrasing important?

Paraphrasing is important because it allows you to use existing information and avoid plagiarism, create unique content, and tailor content to resonate with your audience.

Paraphrasing can help you contextualize information that you may not have created, but that is still relevant to your readers. It can help you use external material to validate your claims and prove your point.

If you’re publishing articles on the web, know that search engines value original content and penalize websites for plagiarism or duplicating content from other sources. By paraphrasing effectively, you can reference someone else's ideas or research in your own writing and avoid plagiarism.

Beyond avoiding plagiarism, paraphrasing can also help you present information in a way that resonates with your audience. 

For instance, if you're dealing with technical content, you might paraphrase it to make it more accessible to the average reader. 

Or, you might adapt a piece to better align with your brand's voice or your audience's cultural context.

Additionally, paraphrasing can enhance your copywriting skills by promoting a deeper understanding of the text and helping you articulate thoughts in your unique voice.

This way, paraphrasing can improve the overall readability and effectiveness of your writing. 

4 types of paraphrasing

There are four types of paraphrasing techniques you can apply when you write. Here’s an overview of each type with examples and tips on how to use it.

1. Rewriting text

The rewriting approach involves restructuring the original passage without changing its meaning. You can use this approach to improve the credibility of your writing.

This type of paraphrasing can be useful when referencing a statistic or a direct quotation in your writing. 

Here’s an example of Sprout Social using the rewriting approach to paraphrase one of their study statistics.

When rewriting, you can use synonyms or alter the sentence order to convey the same idea in your own way. 

Or you can use an AI writing assistant like Surfy to do the rewriting for you. 

Simply highlight the text and ask Surfy to rewrite it.

Surfy will give you a properly rewritten sentence.

The rewritten sentence conveys the same point, using a different sentence structure and words.

2. Expand and clarify

This paraphrasing technique entails adding information to aid readers' comprehension of the main ideas you want to focus on. 

You can use this approach when the original passage requires additional explanation. 

This technique is also useful when you want to clarify how the original text fits into a specific situation or cultural context. 

For instance, you can rephrase a quote using this approach to ensure the audience understands it.

In this case, Surfy rephrased the text and added extra information to clarify the meaning of the highlighted sentence.

3. Condense and focus

The condense and focus paraphrasing technique involves cutting out the non-essential information to focus on what matters. This is the opposite of the expand and clarify approach.

Remove redundant or irrelevant details to make your writing more concise and easier to read. 

Let’s look at an example of how Surfy achieves this.

Here’s the paraphrased text using the condense and focus approach.

The paraphrased text uses shorter sentences and simpler words.

This way you highlight the essential information you wish to focus on and also improve the readability of your content.

4. Adapt your tone

Every audience is different, with unique preferences and levels of understanding. 

This paraphrasing technique allows you to present information in a way that is more accessible, engaging, and relevant to your specific audience. 

It involves restating text to match your brand voice or suit your audience. 

You can use different words or alter the level of technicality of a text to adapt your tone of voice and tailor the information to your intended audience. 

Here’s how Code Wizards uses paraphrasing to adapt the definition of coding to fit its audience of young kids. 

This paraphrased definition of coding uses simple language to explain a technical concept to a group of young, non-technical people.

You can achieve such results with Surfy by asking it to simplify a concept or a sentence.

And here are the results.

What is the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing?

Paraphrasing involves rewriting someone else's ideas in your own words, while summarizing entails condensing the essential points of someone else's work.

The paraphrased content has the same meaning and is close to the same length as the original text. 

Summarizing, on the other hand, involves extracting the main points of a text and presenting them in a brief, concise manner. 

A summary is significantly shorter than the original text, often omitting specific details and examples. 

Here’s an example of a summary that sums up a whole Harry Potter book in a few sentences.

Summarizing is useful when you need to give an overview of a topic, or when you want to highlight the main points of a lengthy article, report, or study. 

Paraphrasing is useful when you want to retell something in your own words.

Paraphrasing and summarizing are writing techniques that differ in their purpose and level of detail. 

Both paraphrasing and summarizing require a deep understanding of the original text to ensure that the essence is accurately conveyed.

What is the difference between paraphrasing and rephrasing?

Paraphrasing involves taking a piece of text and rewriting it in your own words while rephrasing relies on tweaking words and structure to improve readability. 

Paraphrasing and rephrasing are writing techniques that differ in their level of complexity. 

Paraphrasing is not just about changing a few words here and there; it's about reworking the text while retaining the original meaning and context. 

Rephrasing, on the other hand, is often a simpler process. It involves making smaller changes to a text to improve clarity, readability, or style.

For instance, when rephrasing, you can change the wording of sentences and the sentence structure.

Let’s put this into practice with the help of Surfy.

We will use Surfy to rephrase and paraphrase the same sentence.

As you can see, when rephrasing, Surfy has relied on synonyms, like replacing “well-crafted” with “well-orchestrated” and “analogy” with "principle.” The main idea remains the same.

The paraphrased version goes a step beyond using different words and phrases. It expresses the same sentence in a completely different voice. 

As you can see, paraphrasing is a more complex technique than rephrasing.

Key takeaways

• Paraphrasing is a technique used to restate text in a different way using your own words, while maintaining the original meaning of the text.
• Effective paraphrasing improves readability, avoids plagiarism, and reduces the overuse of quotes in content writing.
• It involves identifying the central ideas, using synonyms, rewording, and changing sentence structures.
• There are four main paraphrasing techniques: rewriting text, expanding and clarifying, condensing and focusing, and adapting your tone.
• Summarizing condenses an original text to its main ideas, whereas paraphrasing restates the text without losing its intended meaning.
• Rephrasing and paraphrasing differ in their level of complexity. 

Paraphrasing is a writing technique that helps you ensure originality in your content, engage the audience, and comply with writing best practices. 

Effective paraphrasing requires a deep understanding of the source material in order to be able to rewrite it in your own words, while preserving the original meaning. 

There are four paraphrasing techniques you can use when paraphrasing. By learning these techniques, you can improve your copywriting skills and the effectiveness of your content. 

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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 .

Satwick Ghosh

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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.

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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

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Gahan, C. & Caulfield, J. (2023, May 15). How to Paraphrase | Step-by-Step Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 2 July 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/paraphrasing/

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Paraphrasing is a fundamental skill sitting at the crossroads of comprehension, expression, and academic integrity. In academic environment, paraphrasing holds significance due to a number of reasons. It’s an excellent mental workout that pushes the boundaries of your understanding and critical thinking. By rewording, you learn to articulate complex ideas in your own words, an invaluable skill for everyone in all fields. Moreover, paraphrasing plays a key role in maintaining academic integrity, allowing students to incorporate and acknowledge others’ ideas within their work. Continue reading to learn everything about the importance of paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing and Skill Development

When done effectively, paraphrasing has several benefits that simple rewording can’t produce. It is a comprehensive ability that greatly contributes to academic and intellectual development. Let’s look at some of the important advantages:

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Paraphrasing and its impact on academic papers.

Paraphrasing is a part of academic writing. It links current information and fresh discoveries, enabling authors to include authoritative sources into their writings as a careful integration that adds depth and uniqueness. When done well, paraphrasing indicates the author’s understanding of the original material, demonstrating that they not only can grasp complicated topics but also explain them in a new way. This helps to build a stronger, more compelling argument by anchoring theoretical ideas in proven research and avoiding the problems of plagiarism.

Moreover, effective paraphrasing improves the academic paper by introducing diversity in expression and preventing monotony, keeping readers engaged. It allows the writer to maintain a consistent voice throughout the document, creating the paper as a cohesive story rather than a patchwork of disconnected quotations. This coherence is critical for the reader’s understanding and for conveying the author’s perspective on the topic.

Equally important is the ethical aspect of paraphrasing. Properly rephrased and cited, it maintains the integrity of academic work, distinguishing it from plagiarism and unauthorized use of intellectual property. This ethical practice supports the credibility and trustworthiness of the paper itself.

To sum up, paraphrasing significantly impacts academic papers by promoting understanding, originality, and ethical standards. It demonstrates the author’s capacity to participate in and contribute to academic dialogue, making it a valuable skill in the scholarly community.

What distinguishes effective paraphrasing from simple rewording?

Effective paraphrasing involves a deep understanding of the original material, allowing the paraphraser to convey the same ideas in a completely new way that reflects their voice and style. True paraphrasing demonstrates comprehension and the ability to critically engage with the text, thereby adding value to the academic discourse. In contrast, simple rewording often results in a piece that is too close to the source, lacking originality and failing to fully grasp the underlying concepts.

Can paraphrasing tools ensure academic integrity?

While paraphrasing tools can aid in rephrasing text, they do not guarantee academic integrity on their own. These tools may provide a starting point for rewriting content, but they often lack the nuance and understanding required for true paraphrasing. Academic integrity involves correctly interpreting and crediting the source material, a process that requires human judgment and ethical consideration. Thus, while paraphrasing tools can be helpful, they should be used cautiously, with the final work carefully reviewed and adjusted to ensure it meets academic standards.

How does paraphrasing contribute to the development of academic writing style?

Paraphrasing contributes to the development of academic writing style by enhancing clarity, precision, and personal voice. It encourages deeper engagement with source material, leading to better critical thinking and analytical skills. Through paraphrasing, writers expand their vocabulary and learn to express complex ideas in their own manner, making their arguments more cohesive.

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Avoid plagiarism in your paraphrased text

What is a paraphrasing tool?

This AI-powered paraphrasing tool lets you rewrite text in your own words. Use it to  paraphrase articles, essays, and other pieces of text. You can also use it to rephrase sentences and find synonyms for individual words. And the best part? It’s all 100% free!

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else’s ideas or thoughts in your own words while maintaining the original meaning. Paraphrasing tools can help you quickly reword text by replacing certain words with synonyms or restructuring sentences. They can also make your text more concise, clear, and suitable for a specific audience. Paraphrasing is an essential skill in 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.
• Improve your writing: Your writing will always be clear and easy to understand. Automatically ensure consistent language throughout. 
• Preserve original meaning: Paraphrase without fear of losing the point of your text.
• No annoying ads: We care about the user experience, so we don’t run any ads.
• Accurate: Reliable and grammatically correct paraphrasing.
• No sign-up required: We don’t need your data for you to use our paraphrasing tool.
• Super simple to use: A simple interface even your grandma could use.
• It’s 100% free: No hidden costs, just unlimited use of a free paraphrasing tool.

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Use our paraphraser for texts in different languages.

Features of the paraphrasing tool

Rephrase individual sentences

With the Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool, you can easily reformulate individual sentences.

• Write varied headlines
• Rephrase the subject line of an email
• Create unique image captions

Paraphrase a whole text

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.

Find synonyms with ease

Simply click on any word to open the interactive thesaurus.

• Choose from a list of suggested synonyms
• Find the synonym with the most appropriate meaning
• Replace the word with a single click

Paraphrase in two ways

• Standard: Offers a compromise between modifying and preserving the meaning of the original text
• Fluency: Improves language and corrects grammatical mistakes

Upload different types of documents

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

Download or copy your results

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

Powered by AI

The paraphrasing tool uses natural language processing to rewrite any text you give it. This way, you can paraphrase any text within seconds.

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:

• Detect plagiarism more accurately than other tools
• Ensure that your paraphrased text is valid
• Highlight the sources that are most similar to your text

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How does this paraphrasing tool work?

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. 

Create original lesson plans, presentations, or other educational materials.

Researchers

Explain complex concepts or ideas to a wider audience. 

Journalists

Quickly and easily rephrase text to avoid repetitive language.

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.

The all-purpose paraphrasing tool

The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool is the perfect assistant in a variety of contexts.

Brainstorming

Writer’s block? Use our paraphraser to get some inspiration.

Professional communication

Produce creative headings for your blog posts or PowerPoint slides.

Academic writing

Paraphrase sources smoothly in your thesis or research paper.

Social media

Craft memorable captions and content for your social media posts.

Paraphrase text online, for free

The Scribbr Paraphrasing Tool lets you rewrite as many sentences as you want—for free.

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Scribbr is committed to protecting academic integrity. Our plagiarism checker , AI Detector , Citation Generator , proofreading services , paraphrasing tool, grammar checker , summarizer , and free Knowledge Base content are designed to help students produce quality academic papers.

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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.

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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What is Paraphrasing? Definition, Example & Tips

Table of contents

You might have read some sentence or a paragraph that you found intriguing and wanted to include in your blog, but alas! You can't use those sentences because of the possible risk of plagiarism.

That's when you can think of restructuring the sentences, and the process is called paraphrasing. Honestly, paraphrasing is legit if the sentence makes sense and sounds intriguing to your audience.

In this guide, we have shared the paraphrasing definition and tips on how to paraphrase a sentence without compromising the quality.

Paraphrase Meaning

Paraphrasing is the restatement of a text or a method of retaining ideas in a way slightly different from the original passage.

However, different dictionaries might have different meanings for this word.

According to Merriam Webster ’s paraphrasing definition, it is “ a statement that says something that another person has said or written in a different way.”

Cambridge dictionary defines it as " to repeat something written or spoken using different words, often in a humorous form or in a simpler and shorter form that makes the original meaning clearer. "

The paraphrased content should be close to the original sentence's language and intent while adding extra information or details that make sense for your writing style.

Paraphrasing can also help you avoid plagiarism by not copying someone else's work directly from their website or blog.

Now, paraphrasing is an alternative to quoting. In quoting, you can place the original quote as it is. In paraphrasing, you change the sentence structure of the given sentence to create a different version of the same sentence.

That said, paraphrasing can help create different versions of the sentences with the same meaning.

What is an example of a paraphrase?

An example of a paraphrase is restating a passage or text in your own words while maintaining the same meaning as the original. Let’s look at some paraphrasing examples without plagiarizing, which will help you understand the process better:

Sentence 1 (Original): Giraffes like Acacia leaves and hay, and they can consume 75 pounds of food a day.

Paraphrased: Giraffes can feed on 75 pounds of food per day, thanks to Acacia leaves and hay.

Sentence 2: The federal crackdown on crypto has led to instabilities in the market.

Paraphrase: Because of the federal crackdown on crypto, the market has suffered instabilities.

Sentence 3: The states are merely agents of the federal government.

Paraphrased: The states are only operating as agents of the federal government.

As evident from the above examples, paraphrasing was simply a restatement of the original sentence.

• The text was written by using synonyms.
• The original meaning of the sentence was the same as the rephrased one. This means the main idea of the sentence remained unchanged.
• Only the common or generic words were changed; there was no change in the proper noun.

Why Should You Paraphrase?

Paraphrasing offers various benefits in content creation that we may often fail to identify. Here are the six major purposes of paraphrasing a sentence:

Better word choice

Sometimes you just want to rewrite the original text in your own words—perhaps to match your own writing style or simply because you prefer your own word choices.

In any event, paraphrasing allows you to use your own words or phrases while keeping the fundamental message intact.

No plagiarism

Writing is a form of expression, and some people plagiarize to pass as their own. The original writer may sue you for copyright infringement or theft.

Instead of paraphrasing an entire sentence, paraphrasing only changes common words or phrases to maintain meaning, such as "academy" for "school."

Avoid problematic language

Using a direct quote may not always be suitable for your writing, and errors such as incorrect subject-verb agreement or gender pronoun can occur.

Paraphrasing allows you to rephrase the original phrase to meet your own standards and avoid unintended implications while keeping the same fundamental message intact.

Convey information more efficiently

Paraphrasing often allows you to convey information more efficiently and effectively.

Sometimes, just rewriting what someone else said can be as simple as writing down their exact words verbatim or translating it by using an online translator. However, it is not always enough because your message will carry too much of the original author's voice. In this case, you need to write from your own voice and perspective.

Avoid overuse of quotes

Using quotes in your writing can be tempting as it requires less effort, but it can be problematic if the author's exact quote wording isn't replaced with words that best fit your message.

Overusing quotes without any paraphrasing can make it seem like the content was copied verbatim from another source. Additionally, using the original sentence requires placing it in quotation marks and giving a citation, which can be challenging to find online.

You can shorten lengthy quotes

When you want to make a long and wordy phrase more easily understood, paraphrasing can be useful for expressing the same idea in a simpler form.

Some authors are paid by the word, but if you're producing anything that needs to be brief, you can paraphrase their original material more effectively.

What is the Difference Between Paraphrasing and Summarizing?

Summarizing replaces a person's ideas with your own, but does not involve writing from another point of view. Paraphrasing requires you to be original, which in turn allows you to convey that idea more effectively than if it were taken from someone else's words alone.

Summaries focus on the main points of a longer work, while paraphrasing deals with specific paragraphs, usually keeping them the same length as their original source. Summaries are always shorter than their original source, while paraphrases are typically around the same length, if not slightly shorter than their source.

How do I use paraphrasing in my writing?

To paraphrase means to make a version of something that is not the original, and is usually done for one or more reasons. It is an important too for avoiding plagiarism. Here is how you can paraphrase better:

Use synonyms and rewording

Replace the important words in an original section with synonyms, such as "ideally" for "preferably" or "antagonist" for "the villain." To make your writing appear new, combine this method with some of the ones listed below.

Rewording may occur when you are rewriting something that was already in your original source, and the words no longer fit very well. In this case, rewording might slightly change the meaning to make your writing sound better or new, but keep its structure close to what was written at first.

Change parts of speech

This is a very effective method of paraphrasing because it can make your writing sound fresh and new. The main thing to remember about this method of rewriting is that you should keep the same meaning as the original source.

If you change from an adjective into a noun or vice versa from the original statement, some readers will think there has been a mistake in your work.

Restructure

Make a few changes to the structure of your writing. An example would be changing "he wanted" into "he wished." Also, if you paraphrase some things in one place and not others, then rearrange them so that they go together better. Additionally, you can personalize an old quotation by adding your own spin to it to assist in contextualizing or adapting it to your theme.

Is Rephrasing the Same as Paraphrasing?

A paraphrase is a restatement of a text's or passage's context using different words. The word itself comes from the Greek word paráphrasis, which means "extra method of talking."

When you paraphrase someone else's words, you say or write them in a different way to make them your own. Rephrasing, on the other hand, is when you speak or write something in a different way than you originally intended (mostly to make it clearer).

In conclusion, you should always take care when paraphrasing texts to ensure that the meaning is retained and that changes are made in a way that does not disrupt the original message. You can also use paraphrasing software, which will help you do your work accurately and quickly.

By following these tips, you can produce fresh and engaging writing. If there are any remaining doubts about paraphrasing, feel free to reach out to us.

ABout the AUTHOR

Priya Jamba is a Content Marketer at Scalenut. She loves marketing technologies and believes that with the right combination of tools and creativity, every organization can build sustainable brands. She is on a mission to help marketing teams across the globe produce tangible results from their marketing campaigns. Currently, she is working along with the Product team to enhance the AI content quality through prompt engineering.

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Citation Guide

• Citation Basics

Quoting, Paraphrasing, Summarizing & Patchwriting

Quotes, paraphrases, and summaries are different methods of incorporating other people's ideas and words into your research. You use quotes, paraphrases, and summaries to provide evidence of having researched your topic, which shows you have a thorough understanding of the topic you are discussing, and to show support for your arguments.

Below you will find specific information on each of these different methods of incorporating sources into your research including what they are and best practices for including them in your project.

Quoting is when you use the exact words of another person.

Using Quotes

• Quotes should be used sparingly in your research since they do not show that you have digested and understood the material or showcase your writing ability.  They only show that you've read information related to your topic.
• Quotes should only be used when the exact wording is important, or you are unable to paraphrase the author's words.
• It is best to integrate quotes into your sentences rather than use them as stand-alone sentences. (See the example below for how to incorporate a quote into your sentence.)
• Try not to quote an entire sentence, unless absolutely necessary.  Only quote the most important words or information.
• It is a good idea to  start or end a sentence containing a quote  with your own words to tie the quote back into your assignment. This shows you are applying the quote to support your own ideas and are adding value to the quote.
• Consider using a signal phrase to introduce your quote to the reader.

Formatting Quotes

Short quotations , usually those under 4 lines of text, are enclosed in quotation marks and include an in-text citation at the end. (Check the style guide assigned by your professor for information on formatting the citation correctly.)

Example: Graphic novels have educational and literary value and can be used in science classes to " engage students and support literacy skill development, " (Haroldson, p. 37).

Haroldson, Rachelle. “PICTURE THIS! The Versatility of Graphic Novels in Science Class.” Science Teacher , vol. 89, no. 2, Nov. 2021, p. 37-43. EBSCOhos t, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,cpid&custid=norwalk&db=sch&AN=153491142&site=eds-live .

Long quotations , usually those at or over 4 lines of text, are often called "block quotes" and have specific formatting that differs depending on the citation style being used.  Check the style guide assigned by your professor for direction on how to properly format a block quote.

(largely adapted from content on James Cook University Library " Writing Guide " licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License  and with permission from  Purdue University Online Writing Lab )

Summarizing

Summarizing is when you take a large portion of the material (paragraphs, chapters, or the entire contents) and condense it down to the main points using your own words.  A summary is very short overview of the resource, or portion of the resource, focusing on the key concepts.

Using Summaries

• Summaries must be written entirely using  your own words
• Summaries should be used when you need to quickly introduce background information or another person's ideas into your work to provide context or help set-up your analysis for your reader
• Try not to use summaries as "stand-alone evidence". You should always try to provide your own commentary, opinions, and/or analysis on the content of the summary.

Formatting Summaries

There is no special formatting for including summaries in your writing, except that you must still include an in-text citation , citing where you got the information provided in the summary. (Check the style guide assigned by your professor for information on formatting the in-text citation correctly.)

Example: In her article, "Picture This!" Rachelle Haroldson discusses the benefits of using graphic novels in science classrooms and provides suggestions for teachers on how to incorporate them into their lessons (pp. 37-43).

(adapted from content on James Cook University Library " Writing Guide " licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License )

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is when you restate a concept or passage from someone else using your own words. In addition to changing the words used, correct paraphrasing also changes the sentence structure. Unlike summaries, which are much condensed representations of the original work, paraphrases are typically similar in length to the original text. Paraphrases often include your own thoughts, interpretations, and understanding of the information being conveyed.

Using Paraphrases

• Shows that you've done research into your topic
• Shows understanding of the topic and source being cited, and adds value to the conversation surrounding the topic being discussed
• Provides supporting evidence for your arguments, adding credibility to your ideas and work
• Improves the flow of your paper, by retaining your own tone and voice rather than that of your sources
• It is not  simply swapping out words or phrases with synonyms, or reordering the phrases within the sentence (this is considered "patchwriting" and is a form of plagiarism - see the section on Patchwriting below for more information)
• Paraphrasing should be the most frequently utilized method of incorporating sources into your research since it shows a deeper understanding of the material and that you have developed your own thoughts on the topic
• When paraphrasing you should seek to include your own thoughts, interpretations, and/or analysis of the information being paraphrased

Formatting Paraphrases

There is no special formatting for including paraphrases in your writing, except that you must still include an in-text citation , citing where you got the information being paraphrased. (Check the style guide assigned by your professor for information on formatting the in-text citation correctly.)

Example: Haroldson suggests that science teachers incorporate graphic novels into their lessons because the pictorial format encourages student interest and therefore engagement in scientific concepts and supports literacy acquisition (pp. 37-38).

(adapted from content on James Cook University Library " Writing Guide " licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License  and Academic Integrity ,  by Ulrike Kestler, licensed under a  Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License )

Patchwriting

Patchwriting is when you only change a few words or the sentence structure without incorporating your own ideas or voice in an attempt to paraphrase. Patchwriting mimics the language and structure of the original source and therefore cannot be considered a true paraphrase, which also requires your own thoughts and understanding of the content be included. As such, patchwriting is often an unintentional form of plagiarism.

Patchwriting vs. Paraphrasing

(from Academic Integrity , by Ulrike Kestler, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License )

Patchwriting Example

Original Text

Graphic novels by their nature are intriguing. They are colorful, full of pictures, word bubbles, and funny sounds coming out of the characters’ mouths. Many recent publications are culturally diverse, offering traditionally underrepresented students the opportunity to see themselves in the texts and majority students the opportunity to connect with different characters and perspectives. (Haroldson, p. 39)

Source: Haroldson, Rachelle. “PICTURE THIS! The Versatility of Graphic Novels in Science Class.”  Science Teacher , vol. 89, no. 2, Nov. 2021, p. 37-43.  EBSCOhos t,  search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=cookie,cpid&custid=norwalk&db=sch&AN=153491142&site=eds-live .

Graphic novels are inherently captivating due to their vibrant visuals, use of illustrations, word bubbles, and sound effects. Many contemporary graphic novels embrace cultural diversity, providing traditionally marginalized students with a chance to identify with characters who resemble them, while also allowing students in majority groups to engage with diverse perspectives and characters (Haroldson, p. 39).

Graphic novels have a unique ability to capture student interest in scientific concepts due to their inherently entertaining method of conveying information through visual imagery. Moreover, these novels offer a valuable opportunity for students from traditionally underrepresented groups to identify with and relate to the characters and storylines presented within the narrative, making students more likely to engage with the material (Haroldson, p. 39).

Additional Resources

• Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summarizing - Purdue OWL A guide from Purdue OWL explaining what quotes, paraphrases, and summaries are, what they're used for, and how to use them.
• The Writing Guide - James Cook University Library A guide detailing the research and writing process with an entire page dedicated to using sources appropriately.
• Reading and Writing with Sources PowerPoint - High School
• Reading and Writing with Sources PowerPoint - College
• Paraphrasing vs. Patchwriting from KPU's Academic Integrity eBook Explanation of the difference between paraphrasing and patchwriting with an example and activity to check your understanding.
• Paraphrasing vs. Patchwriting - Ch. 13 of CS 050 Academic Writing and Grammar eBook Chapter explaining the difference between paraphrasing and patchwriting with videos, examples, and activities to test your knowledge, by the Confederation College Communications Department and Paterson Library Commons.
• ‘Patchwriting’ is more common than plagiarism, just as dishonest, by Kelly McBride - Poynter (2012) A Poynter article discussing what patchwriting is, how common it is, the ethics of patchwriting and its implications, with a particular focus on its use in journalism.
• The Citation Project The Citation Project is a series of research studies on source use. Their purpose is to provide data and analyses that can help with educators’ questions about plagiarism, information literacy, and the teaching of source-based writing. more... less... By collecting data and replicating or adapting the methods of other studies to analyze it, ongoing Citation Project research builds on and extends the work of other scholars, generating deeper and more nuanced understanding of source-based writing. (description from website)
• Paraphrasing - Penn State Academic Integrity Tutorial A page on the Penn State Academic Integrity tutorial with information on correct and incorrect attempts at paraphrasing.
• How to Quote | Citing Quotes in APA, MLA & Chicago A Scribbr guide on using and citing quotes in academic writing, complete with examples, videos, and FAQs.
• << Previous: Citation Basics
• Next: MLA >>
• Last Updated: May 16, 2024 1:52 PM
• URL: https://library.ctstate.edu/citations

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Definition of paraphrase

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Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

transitive verb

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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

Articles Related to paraphrase

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Dictionary Entries Near paraphrase

paraphrasis

Cite this Entry

“Paraphrase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paraphrase. Accessed 2 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

Kids definition of paraphrase.

Kids Definition of paraphrase  (Entry 2 of 2)

More from Merriam-Webster on paraphrase

Nglish: Translation of paraphrase for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of paraphrase for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about paraphrase

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