How to Paraphrase in 5 Easy Steps | Scribbr 🎓

Summary

In this video, Jessica from Scribbr explains how to master the art of paraphrasing in five simple steps. She covers the essential process, including reading the passage, noting key concepts, writing your version, comparing it with the original, and citing sources. Additionally, Jessica shares four helpful tips: start sentences differently, use synonyms, change sentence structures, and break up long sentences. She emphasizes the importance of paraphrasing over quoting and encourages viewers to apply these techniques for better academic writing. With these tips, students can improve the flow and clarity of their papers while maintaining their unique voice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Paraphrasing involves rewriting a passage in your own words while maintaining the original meaning and information.
• 😀 To paraphrase effectively, read the passage multiple times to fully understand it.
• 😀 Take notes on the key concepts in the passage before starting to paraphrase.
• 😀 Write your paraphrase without looking at the original text to avoid copying it.
• 😀 Compare your paraphrase with the original and revise if there are too many similarities.
• 😀 Always cite the source of the original text when paraphrasing to avoid plagiarism.
• 😀 Remember that you don’t need quotation marks when paraphrasing, as you're using your own words.
• 😀 Tip 1 for paraphrasing: Start your paraphrase at a different point from the original text.
• 😀 Tip 2 for paraphrasing: Use synonyms to replace words from the original text.
• 😀 Tip 3 for paraphrasing: Change the sentence structure (e.g., switch between active and passive voice).

Q & A

What is paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is the process of rewriting a specific passage from someone else in your own words, while maintaining the original meaning and not removing any information.

Why is paraphrasing important in academic writing?

Paraphrasing helps demonstrate that you have understood the material, it allows your paper to have a better flow, and it helps you maintain your voice throughout the paper, instead of relying on direct quotes.

What are the five steps to paraphrasing?

The five steps to paraphrasing are: 1) Read the passage several times to fully understand the meaning, 2) Note down the key concepts, 3) Write your version of the text without looking at the original, 4) Compare your paraphrase with the original and make changes if needed, 5) Cite the source of the text.

How can you check if your paraphrase is too similar to the original?

You can compare your paraphrase with the original text and if you find phrases that are too similar, you should make changes to ensure your version is different.

What are some common tips to improve paraphrasing?

Some tips include starting your first sentence at a different point, using synonyms, changing the sentence structure (like switching from active to passive voice), and breaking long sentences into shorter ones or combining short ones into a longer one.

What is the role of a thesaurus in paraphrasing?

A thesaurus is useful for finding synonyms when you're struggling to think of alternative words to use in your paraphrase, making it easier to avoid copying the original text.

How can sentence structure impact paraphrasing?

Changing the sentence structure can help you create a version that is distinct from the original. For example, switching from active to passive voice can alter the flow and tone of the sentence.

When should you use quotes instead of paraphrasing?

You should use quotes when you are giving a definition, presenting an author's position, or when you want to support your argument with exact wording from a source.

What is the main difference between quoting and paraphrasing?

Quoting involves copying the source word by word, whereas paraphrasing involves rewording the source in your own words while keeping the original meaning intact.

How does paraphrasing contribute to the flow of a paper?

Paraphrasing contributes to a smoother flow by ensuring that the information fits seamlessly into your own writing style, making your voice the dominant one in the paper.