How-to · Step-by-step
How to paraphrase
Paraphrasing means restating a source’s idea in your own words and structure while keeping its meaning — and still crediting where the idea came from.
The step most authors miss
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Step by step
How to do it
1.Read and understand the source
Read the passage more than once until you can explain its point to someone else without looking. You cannot put an idea into your own words if you do not first grasp it. Identify the single key claim you actually need.
2.Set the original aside
Close the book or hide the text before you write. This is the most important step: working from memory, rather than with the source in front of you, stops you from unconsciously echoing its wording and sentence structure.
3.Rewrite in your own words and structure
Express the idea afresh, changing both the vocabulary and the sentence construction — not just swapping synonyms. Use your own voice and order; you may reorganise the logic so long as you preserve the original meaning and do not distort it.
4.Compare with the original
Now check your version against the source. Confirm the meaning matches, and that no distinctive phrases have crept in unmarked. If a phrase is too close, either rewrite it further or, if the wording is essential, quote it directly with quotation marks.
5.Cite the source
Add an in-text citation (and a reference) to credit where the idea came from. A paraphrase removes the need for quotation marks, but never the need for a citation — the idea is still borrowed even though the words are yours.
A worked example
Take an original sentence: "Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and improves mental wellbeing across all age groups." A poor attempt that merely swaps words — "Regular physical exercise lowers the risk of heart disease and boosts mental health across every age group" — keeps the original structure and is too close to count as a paraphrase; it would still be plagiarism even with a citation. A good paraphrase rebuilds the sentence from understanding: "People of any age who exercise consistently tend to enjoy better mental health and a lower chance of developing heart problems (Author, Year)." The meaning is preserved, the wording and structure are genuinely the writer’s own, and the source is credited.
Common questions
FAQ
What is the difference between paraphrasing and quoting?+
Quoting reproduces a source’s exact words inside quotation marks; paraphrasing restates the idea in your own words and structure without quotation marks. Both require a citation. Quote when the precise wording matters — a definition, a memorable phrase, or contested claim — and paraphrase when you only need the idea, which is the better default for most writing.
Do I still need to cite a paraphrase?+
Yes, always. Paraphrasing changes the words, not the source of the idea, so the citation is still required. A paraphrase without a citation is paraphrasing-without-attribution — a recognised form of plagiarism, because the reader is led to believe the idea is yours. Removing quotation marks does not remove the debt.
Why is changing a few words not enough?+
Replacing words with synonyms while keeping the original sentence structure is sometimes called "patchwriting", and it counts as plagiarism even with a citation, because the source’s phrasing still shows through. A genuine paraphrase reworks both vocabulary and structure from your own understanding, which is why setting the source aside before writing matters.
Going deeper
