Paraphrasing Source Material

Why paraphrase?

The purpose of paraphrasing is to use a source’s ideas to support your own point or argument; however, you have to put those ideas in your own words. Paraphrasing information while retaining the original meaning demonstrates that you understand it. In addition, using your own words to paraphrase a difficult or confusing passage helps readers grasp the information. Paraphrasing is a particularly useful tool because properly paraphrased material—in your own words, voice, and style—doesn’t disrupt the flow of your writing like quotations sometimes do.

When?

• Paraphrase when you want to include the ideas contained in a source but don’t find most of the original words compelling enough to justify quoting.


• Use this skill the majority of the time when integrating sources into your writing.

How?

• Read the source as many times as necessary to fully understand the material. Then, cover the text and write the ideas in your own words and own style without viewing the original. Next, check your paraphrase against the original text to be sure that you haven’t changed the meaning or used the same words or phrasing. Rearranging words or substituting a synonym here and there won’t work; doing so is considered plagiarism.


• Make the paraphrase about the same length or a little shorter than the original.


• If you think it’s necessary to keep some of the author’s key terms in your paraphrase, quote them to show that they are not your own. In that case, you will be embedding brief quotes within your paraphrase.


• Be selective. Paraphrase only the information you need to support your position.


• Document paraphrases because the ideas are not your own. The most common cause of unintentional plagiarism is not citing paraphrased information.


• Don’t include your own ideas or commentary in the body of the paraphrase. Comment or give your own ideas that show the significance of the paraphrase afterward. Use signal phrases to make clear which ideas are yours and which originate with the source.

Read the following excerpt from an article by David Pimentel.

Three paraphrases of this excerpt follow. After each one, indicate whether it is an acceptable paraphrase or not.

1. Research has shown that technology has been instrumental in increasing industrial and agricultural production, improving transportation and communications, advancing human health care and overall improving many aspects of human life. However, much of its success is based on the availability of land, water, energy, and biological resources of the earth.


Yes, the paraphrase is acceptable.
Try again.
Close
No, the paraphrase is not acceptable.
Correct! Other than the first four words, the text has been copied word for word from the original document without any quotation marks that would indicate that the passage is a quote. In addition, the source is not cited. This is plagiarism.
Close

 

2. According to Pimental, technology has greatly improved our standard of living due to its positive impact on most areas of our lives. He cautions, however, that technological progress is dependent on natural resources.


Yes, the paraphrase is acceptable.
Correct! This is the proper way to paraphrase, and the source’s ideas have been credited.
Close
No, the paraphrase is not acceptable.
Try again.
Close

 

3. Research has shown that the advancement of technology has been instrumental in increasing industrial and agricultural production and improving transportation and communications. In addition, it has aided human health care and basically improved almost every area of our lives (Pimental).


Yes, the paraphrase is acceptable.
Try again.
Close
No, the paraphrase is not acceptable.
Correct! Even though the source is cited, many of the source’s words are used without quotation marks. This is plagiarism.
Close

 

To practice your own paraphrasing skills, link to this online site. Using your notes and the insights you have gained, write two or three sentences to paraphrase each excerpt. Don’t forget to check the site’s suggested responses when you’re finished.