Definition · Plain-language
How to Paraphrase Correctly
Paraphrasing is the act of rewriting someone else's ideas in your own words while retaining the original meaning. It is a critical skill in academic writing that demonstrates comprehension, integrates sources smoothly, and maintains academic integrity when properly cited.
The step most authors miss
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Paraphrasing vs. Summarising vs. Quoting
It is essential to distinguish paraphrasing from summarising and quoting. Quoting is using the exact words of the original author, enclosed in quotation marks. Summarising is condensing the main ideas of a source into a much shorter overview in your own words. Paraphrasing is rewriting a specific segment of text in detail using your own words. While a summary provides a broad look, a paraphrase captures the specific meaning of a localized passage.
The Process of Effective Paraphrasing
To paraphrase successfully without committing accidental plagiarism, follow a structured process. First, read the original text carefully until you fully understand its meaning. Second, set the original text aside so you cannot look at it. Third, write the ideas in your own words, focusing on restructuring the sentences rather than just replacing words. Finally, compare your version with the original to ensure you have not replicated the sentence structure, and add a proper in-text citation.
Understanding Patchwriting and Academic Integrity
One of the most common pitfalls in academic writing is 'patchwriting'—the practice of copying a text and modifying only a few words or rearranging the sentence structure slightly. Although often unintentional, patchwriting is grammatically too close to the source and is classified as plagiarism. Maintaining academic integrity requires a complete rewrite of the syntax and vocabulary, accompanied by an explicit citation of the original source.
Key facts
At a glance
- Paraphrasing involves restating an author's ideas using your own words and sentence structures.
- A paraphrase must be accompanied by an appropriate citation to credit the original source.
- It differs from summarising by focusing on detailed points rather than a broad overview.
- Simply substituting synonyms while retaining the original sentence structure is plagiarism.
- Paraphrasing helps integrate source material smoothly into your own academic argument.
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: If I change every third word of a sentence, it counts as a correct paraphrase.
Actually: This is a form of plagiarism called patchwriting. A valid paraphrase requires changing both the vocabulary and the sentence structure entirely.
Often heard: You do not need to cite a source if you have paraphrased it in your own words.
Actually: Because you are still using someone else's ideas, concepts, or research, you must provide a full citation, even if the wording is completely your own.
Often heard: Paraphrasing is only used to make a source's text shorter.
Actually: Paraphrasing is used to integrate ideas into your own narrative voice; it is often similar in length to the original, unlike summaries, which condense it.
Going deeper
