How to paraphrase - A Simple Guide

The process of rewording text while preserving its original meaning is known as paraphrasing. Paraphrasing indicates that you understand what the original text was all about. So you are not copying someone else, you are rethinking the text in your own way.

In this article, We will learn the steps involved in paraphrasing.

How to Paraphrase in 6 Simple Steps

Follow these six simple steps to paraphrase effectively.

1. Read and Understand the Text

Firstly, go through the source articles in detail. Rewriting an article requires a solid understanding of the original information. Select the sections that you wish to paraphrase. Keep an eye out for arguments that expand the subject of the paper you're writing.

Ask yourself: What is the main idea? What is the author trying to say?

2. Try Re-writing the Passage by memory

You have to think of fresh ways to convey the same information when you rewrite from memory. After that, you can review your notes and the original content to make sure everything you have written is correct and to add anything you have forgotten.

3. Change the Sentence Structure

One of the easiest ways to paraphrase is by changing the sentence structure. There are two methods to change the sentence structure.

• If the original text uses a long sentence, break it into shorter sentences. 
• If it uses several short sentences, you can combine them into a longer one.

For example, the original text has the statement:
"Climate change is caused by human activities. These activities increase the concentration of greenhouse gasses."

A paraphrase could be:
"Human actions are the main cause of climate change, raising greenhouse gas levels."

Explanation:

In the paraphrase, the sentence structure has been changed by reordering the ideas. The phrase "concentration of greenhouse gasses" is changed to "raising greenhouse gas levels."

4. Use Synonyms and Different Phrases

Another important step in paraphrasing is to use synonyms. Synonyms are words that have the same or similar meanings. However, be careful when choosing synonyms. 

Remember, some words have multiple meanings, so make sure the synonym fits the context.

If the original text uses the word “important.” Instead, you could use “crucial” or “essential” in your paraphrase.

Example:
Original: "Water is vital for all living organisms."
Paraphrase: "Water is essential for the survival of living beings."

5. Compare with the Original

After you’ve written your paraphrase, compare it with the original text. Make sure you haven’t copied any phrases or sentences. The wording should be different, but the meaning should remain the same.

If your paraphrase is too similar, try changing more words or rearranging the sentence structure further. It’s important to ensure that your version is unique.

6. Add the citations

Don't forget to add the citation. Whether it's APA, MLA, or Chicago, make sure you're citing sources correctly. Most of the time, when quoting an article, you will include a paraphrase following the passage.

Paraphrasing best practices

Familiarize yourself with listed below practices which can help you while paraphrasing. 

• Really get the original text: Make sure you fully understand what you’re reading before trying to rewrite it.
• Put it in your own words: Don’t just swap a few words—rewrite it like you’re explaining it to someone else.
• Stick to the main points: Keep the key ideas and important details, but say them in your own way.
• Don’t copy phrases: Avoid using the exact same wording, especially if it stands out as unique.
• Double-check for accuracy: Make sure your version keeps the original meaning intact.
• Always give credit: Even when paraphrasing, mention the original source to avoid plagiarism.
• Keep practicing: The more you do it, the easier it gets to paraphrase naturally.

The Four R’s of Paraphrasing

Use the "Four R's of Paraphrasing" to accomplish your paraphrasing goal.

• Reward: Consider whether any of the terms or phrases you used in your paraphrase were too similar to those in the source material. If so, replace them. This is particularly significant for longer, less often-used words.

• Recognize: A sentence's tone, style, and clarity can frequently be drastically changed by changing its structure. To find other strategies to make your writing more engaging and understandable, try moving clauses about in your writing. For example, they can be tested at the start and conclusion of sentences.

• Realize: Certain words are unchangeable. You'll need to make accommodations and possibly utilize quotations if there is precise, unchangeable information (such as a date or the name of a city). In these situations, it's necessary to prioritize uniqueness in order to prevent unwanted plagiarism.

• Recheck: After making a note of these actions, it's time to review everything. It won't hurt to go over your writing one more time or make some edits to make sure your ideas flow well with the ones you're paraphrasing and referencing.

(A detailed video guide about Four R’s Paraphrasing)

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Paraphrasing

Let’s look at some common mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Copying Too Much

One common mistake is copying too much of the original text. Changing only a few words here and there is no proper paraphrasing. This can still be considered plagiarism.

To avoid this, focus on understanding the text. Then, write your version without looking at the original. This will force you to use your own words.

2. Changing the Meaning

Sometimes you change the words but also change the meaning by mistake. This happens when you don’t fully understand the original text.

To avoid this, double-check your paraphrase against the original. Make sure the main ideas and details are accurate. If you’re unsure, reread the original text.

3. Overusing Synonyms

Using too many synonyms can make your paraphrase awkward or confusing. Some words don’t have exact synonyms. For example, words like “technology” or “democracy” are hard to replace with other words.

Instead of overusing synonyms, focus on changing the sentence structure. You can reword ideas in a way that sounds natural.

4. Forgetting to Cite the Source

Even if you paraphrase, you must still give credit to the original source. Failing to cite the source is considered plagiarism. After your paraphrase, include a citation following the style your school requires (e.g., APA, MLA).

For example:
"According to Smith (2020), climate change is primarily caused by human activity."

https://www.uts.edu.au/current-students/support/helps/self-help-resources/academic-skills/how-paraphrase-effectively

Useful Resources & References:

An article on how to paraphrase effectively by the University of Technology Sydney

An article by PURDUE University on What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing | Definition & Examples by Study.com