What is paraphrasing
A paraphrase is a rewording of some other written text that uses new words and expressions while maintaining the same essence, generally to change the language or prevent plagiarism. To avoid duplicating a primary source’s every word, paraphrasing is an essential communication tactic in academic papers. But even so, knowing how to paraphrase will require some training, so we’ve broken down what you’ll need to understand below, beginning with a basic paraphrase meaning.
What is a paraphrase?
Paraphrasing is the process of changing the terms and phrases in an actual text to articulate the same interpretation. A paraphrase revises the exact wording in its style. A paraphrase often employs initial wording, which you devise that differs from the primary material. Since they are distinct, paraphrases don’t involve inverted commas in the same way that direct quotes do.
What is the objective of paraphrasing?
Why paraphrase when you can simply reference the actual source? Paraphrasing is relevant in a diverse array of scenarios and has several advantages. Here are some of the most typical reasons to paraphrase;
Enhance your word choice
Occasionally you just want to revise the initial piece of writing in your words, perhaps to integrate it into your unique writing style, or because you want your vocabulary. In any scenario, paraphrasing allows you to use your terms and phrases thereby retaining the overall message the same.
Alter the topic
If you like the terms of the actual text but would like to alter the topic to relate to something else, you can employ paraphrasing.
Prevent plagiarism
Plagiarism is when you rewrite someone else’s text without modifying the terms. If you wish to replicate an emotion or cite another individual’s research, you must either put it in your statements or cite it directly.
Eliminate using quotations excessively
Quotations are excellent when the writer said it, and if you utilize too many, you’re mainly plagiarizing somebody else’s work. If you’re consistently citing other people’s work, it’s preferable to alternate between paraphrasing and direct quotations to make a written text your own.
Do not use questionable language
The language in a direct reference may not always be appropriate for what you’re composing. It is commonly due to a mechanical fault, including a partial quotation with the incorrect subject-verb concord or gender noun. At instances, it may be inconsiderate or obsolete language.
Shorten long quotes
Finally, paraphrasing comes in handy when you require to compress a long, verbose statement into something more absorbable. Some authors are paid by the word, but if you’re drafting something that needs to be brief, you can rephrase their exact wording.
Pointers for paraphrasing
The most suitable technique for preventing plagiarism is paraphrasing. Here are a few techniques that we recommend using in conjunction for appropriate paraphrasing;
Make use of synonyms
Substitute the keywords in an actual text with words that imply the identical thing, like ‘scientist’ for ‘researcher’ or ‘seniors’ for ‘the aged.’ It is a standard practice of paraphrasing.
Modify the components of speech
You often can paraphrase a statement by adjusting the aspects of speech, like transforming an adjective into a noun. This approach is dependent on the actual passage’s terminology, but you don’t always have the option, it’s better to use it in conjunction with other techniques for more authentic writing.
Add or delete parts of the passage
If a portion of a quote is irrelevant to what you’re communicating about, leave it out and rephrase the rest in your own sentences. Similarly, you can incorporate your perspective into an established quote to enable contextualize it or adjust it to your subject. In either case, make sure to rephrase.
Key points
- Review the actual content until you fully comprehend it.
- Make a list of fundamental ideas.
- Compose and create your edition of the text.
- Make changes to your reworded message to confirm that it is not the same. Customize your work so that it is academically written and in sync with the entire assignment.
- Cite your sources.
FAQs
Q1. What does it mean to paraphrase/rephrase?
The conduct of reiterating another writer’s text in your own words is known as paraphrasing/rephrasing. It is a fresh part of writing with a similar interpretation as opposed to a specific quotation from a previously published portion of writing. When writing a report or academic paper, it is normal to paraphrase. It enables you to clarify key concepts in your unique writing style while focusing on the details that are most relevant to your point. Even if you paraphrase somebody else’s thoughts, you must quote a source of your content. This acknowledges the actual person’s work.
Q2. What is the best way to paraphrase a sentence?
Synonyms, modifying portions of speech, reorganizing sentence framework, and adding/deleting particular sections are all prevalent paraphrasing methodologies.
Q3. What is a perfect paraphrase?
A great paraphrase retains the initial source’s context while using new words and expressions. It’s best for paraphrasing another writer’s words and describe them in your unique style.
Q4. How do you differentiate between paraphrasing and summarizing?
Because paraphrasing and summarizing are two comparable and related concepts, it’s easy to get confused with them. Summarizing is placing a message or passage’s central idea, theme, or tale into your own phrases, whereas paraphrasing is taking a specific paragraph and writing it into your own sentences. Paraphrasing is not the same as summarizing. When you conclude a paragraph, you only repeat the core message in your own phrases. But p Paraphrasing seeks to provide the majority of knowledge in a little compact form. Summaries are much shorter than the actual content, whereas paraphrasing can be relatively short or the same length as the actual text.
Q5. What is an example of a paraphrase?
Original: A journey to the Grand Canyon must involve a stop at Hoover Dam to see the world’s largest dam.
Paraphrase: When planning a trip to the Grand Canyon, make time to see the Hoover Dam.
Original: A resort vacation entails food, and equipment charges, to make your trip more inexpensive.
Paraphrase: Generally, resort holidays can be a low-cost alternative.
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