A good way to paraphrase is to
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What is Paraphrasing in Research?“Paraphrasing” means expressing the meaning of someone else’s words in your own words instead of quoting directly. Paraphrasing is applied both by the author of the text and by editors during the proofreading process. By paraphrasing the work and arguments of others effectively, you can:
How to Paraphrase in ResearchDirect Quote: simply a “copy-and-paste” of the original words and/or word order. In all research papers with formatting guidelines (APA, AMA, MLA, etc.), quoted text must be accompanied by quotation marks and in-text citations. Paraphrasing: can include some key terms from the original work but must use new language to represent the original work—DO NOT COPY THE ORIGINAL WORK. When you paraphrase–that is, rewrite the text you want to use–you do not need to include quotation marks, but you must still cite the original work. Paraphrasing Source TextStep 1: Read important parts of the source material until you fully understand its meaning. Step 2: Take some notes and list key terms of the source material. Step 3: Write your own paragraph without looking at the source material, only using the key terms. Step 4: Check to make sure your version captures important parts and intent of the source material. Step 5: Indicate where your paraphrasing starts and ends using in-text citations. When to Paraphrase vs Use Direct QuotesParaphrasing Examples in Research WritingUse the following methods to make your paraphrases even stronger. Note that you should not apply only one of these rules in isolation—combine these techniques to reduce your chances of accidental plagiarism. *Text in red indicates key changes from the source material. Change the source text voice: active vs. passive voiceBy changing the voice of the sentence (active voice to passive; passive voice to active—have a look at this article for details on the different roles of both voices in scientific writing), you can alter the general structure of your paraphrase and put it into words that are more your own. Use a thesaurus to find synonyms and related termsA thesaurus can be an excellent resource for finding terms that are synonymous with or similar to those in the original text, especially for non-native English speakers. However, be careful not to use terms that you don’t fully understand or that might not make sense in the context of your paper. Include introductory phrases with signaling termsSignaling terms (e.g., “they write,” “Kim notes that…” “He believes that…”) help smoothly introduce the work of other studies and let the reader know where your own ideas end and where the cited information begins. Use specific signaling verbs to show your positionAuthors also show their positions regarding the original content by using verbs that are neutral, that show agreement, or that show disagreement. A relative pronoun (“that,” “how,” “if”) is also used in many instances. Include these terms to introduce your position in paraphrased content. Merge multiple sentences into a one- or two-sentence paraphraseOne major reason for paraphrasing is to capture the main idea of the original text without using so many words. Use only one sentence or two in your paraphrase to capture the main idea—even if the original is an entire paragraph. Original Source Text:
Paraphrased Source Text:
Combine quotes and paraphrased text in the same sentenceToo often, research writers separate information from the current work and information cited from earlier studies into completely different sentences. This limits the dialogue between the works, makes it boring for readers, and can even create issues of plagiarism if the paper is composed of too much quoted material. Include direct quotes within your paraphrased sentences to fix all of these issues and make your research writing much smoother and more natural. Some details from the original source are quoted because they are taken directly from the text. They provide important information that readers might need to know and it thus makes more sense to use quotes here. Cite your sources, create a References list, and copy your citations to MS Word using the Wordvice Citation Generator. How to Paraphrase to Avoid PlagiarismAlthough paraphrasing can be very helpful in helping to reduce instances of plagiarism, writers still need to follow the rules of citation and referencing carefully. Here are a few rules to keep in mind when paraphrasing any original material, whether from someone else’s published work or your own work. Here are a few things you must keep in mind when paraphrasing any original material, even your own earlier publications.
Example of Plagiarism in ParaphrasingThe following example is an attempt to paraphrase the above source text taken from the Journal of Applied Psychology website. Note that the author does not follow the above-mentioned rules to avoid plagiarizing the work. Psychology website. Note that the author does not follow the above-mentioned rules to avoid plagiarizing the work. Plagiarized Source Text
Some of the source text words have been changed or removed, but the underlined terms are identical to the original; overall the meaning and even the grammar structures have been copied. Finally, quotation marks are missing. Do not copy passages like this unless you put quotation marks around the content. Examples of Multiple Attribution Methods:In this paraphrase example, the details in the source text and how they have been changed in the paraphrase are indicated in red. Note the usage of signaling terms in each version to introduce the author’s content. Original Source Text:
Direct Quote
*Quotations around quotes; citations included; many details provided; a complete sentence is quoted. Paraphrased Text
*No quotation marks; citations included; the most important data fact is highlighted: “Penguins use more pressure to excrete thicker poo.” Quote/Paraphrase Combination
*Quotation marks only around directly quoted information; citations included; the most important data fact is paraphrased; additional details provided by direct quote. More Paraphrasing Examples for ReferenceThe following paraphrasing examples do not include citations and are therefore better used for reference when learning how to paraphrase original text. Therefore, the tips mentioned earlier in this article should be applied when paraphrasing published academic work.
Paraphrasing Checklist
Wordvice ResourcesAfter paraphrasing the source text in your research paper, be sure to get academic editing for your journal manuscript or essay editing for your admissions essay to ensure that your writing is ready for submission to journals or schools. And visiting our academic resources pages to get more tips beyond how to paraphrase, including common academic phrases, the best transition words in academic papers, verbs for research writing, and many more articles on how to strengthen your academic writing skills. What is paraphrase good for?Why is paraphrasing so important? Paraphrasing is important because it shows you understand the source well enough to write it in your own words. It also gives you a powerful alternative to using direct quotes, which should be used infrequently.
What is a good example of paraphrasing?Original: Giraffes like Acacia leaves and hay and they can consume 75 pounds of food a day. Paraphrase: A giraffe can eat up to 75 pounds of Acacia leaves and hay every day.
What are the 3 ways to paraphrase a sentence?Techniques for paraphrasing. Using synonyms (words that mean the same). Changing the form of words.. Changing the grammatical structure.. Using several techniques.. What paraphrasing means?Paraphrasing is presenting ideas and information in your own words and acknowledging where they come from. By using your own words, you demonstrate your understanding and your ability to convey this information.
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