Ask a Teacher

please explain about paraphrasing?

What is a paraphrase?

A paraphrase is a restatement in your own words of a passage written by another author.  In a paraphrase, the author’s meaning and tone should be maintained.

Why do writers paraphrase?

When writers paraphrase, they help the reader understand difficult material that was originally written by another author.  Also, paraphrasing helps writers avoid plagiarizing.

How long is a paraphrased text?

A paraphrased text is about the same length as the original text.  In it the author strives to convey the content and meaning of the original source; not just abbreviate it.

How do I paraphrase a source?

1 – Read the original two or three times or until you are sure you understand it.

2 – Determine the writer’s meaning.

3 – Look closely at unfamiliar words, observing carefully the exact sense in which the

      writer uses the words.

4 – Do not find an equivalent or synonym for every word, but include every essential

      idea contained in the original. 

Guidelines for writing paraphrases

taken from Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers (Troyka 1995)

1 – Say what the source says, but no more.

2 – Reproduce the source’s order of ideas and emphasis.

3 – Use your own words and paraphrasing to restate the message.

4 – Read over your sentences to make sure they make sense.

5 – Do not distort the sources meaning.

6 – Expect your material to be as long as (and possibly longer than) the original.

7 – Do not plagiarize.

8 – Write down all documentation facts so that you can document your source

      when you use it in your writing.