Introduction to paraphrasing

1. Academic Writing: The Art of Paraphrasing

2. 1. Understanding Paraphrasing
Content
2. Techniques of Paraphrasing
3. Paraphrasing in Practice
4. Paraphrasing Tools and Resources
5. Ethical Considerations and Plagiarism

3. Section 1
Understanding Paraphrasing

4. What is Paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing is the process of rewording and rephrasing text written by
someone else, to present the same ideas in a new form without changing the
original meaning. It is a fundamental skill in academic writing that allows
students to incorporate existing knowledge into their work while avoiding
plagiarism.
01
Importance in Academic Writing
Paraphrasing is crucial in academic writing as it demonstrates a student's
understanding of the source material, allows for the integration of evidence to
support arguments, and helps maintain the originality of the written work.
02
Defining Paraphrasing

5. Differences and Uses
While paraphrasing involves rephrasing a passage with a similar length, summarizing
condenses the main points into a brief overview, and quoting reproduces the exact words
from the source with proper citation. Understanding the differences is key to using them
effectively in academic writing.
Paraphrasing vs. Summarising vs. Quoting
When to Use Each
Deciding when to paraphrase, summarise, or quote depends on the purpose of the writing
and the need to maintain the original emphasis, detail, or tone of the source material.
Paraphrasing is often used to clarify complex ideas or to integrate sources more
seamlessly into the writing.

6. Reading Comprehension
The first step in paraphrasing is to thoroughly read and understand the original
text. This ensures that the essence of the source material is captured without
altering its intended meaning.
01
Restating in Your Own Words
After understanding the text, the next step is to restate the ideas in your own
words. This involves changing the structure of the sentences and choosing
different vocabulary while preserving the original message.
02
The Process of Paraphrasing

7. Analysing the Source
Effective paraphrasing requires analyzing the source material to identify the main ideas
and the author's intent. This deep engagement with the text fosters critical thinking and a
better grasp of the subject matter.
Paraphrasing and Critical Thinking
Synthesising Information
Paraphrasing is not just about changing words; it's about synthesizing information from
various sources to create a cohesive and original piece of writing that reflects the student's
understanding and perspective.

8. Section 2
Techniques of Paraphrasing

9. Alteration Techniques
Learn how to alter the structure of sentences by changing from active to passive
voice, rearranging the order of information, and combining or dividing sentences
to create a new rendition of the text.
01
Example Transformations
Demonstrations of how to apply these techniques with examples will help
students understand the practical application of altering sentence structure while
paraphrasing.
02
Changing the Sentence Structure

10. Vocabulary Variation
The use of synonyms and definitions to replace original words is a key strategy in
paraphrasing. It requires a good understanding of vocabulary and context to ensure the
replacements are accurate and maintain the original meaning.
Using Synonyms and Definitions
Contextual Awareness
This slide emphasizes the importance of context when choosing synonyms and how slight
nuances in word meaning can impact the overall interpretation of the paraphrased text.

11. Integrating Multiple Texts
Paraphrasing can involve combining ideas from multiple sources into a single,
coherent statement. This slide will explain how to weave together information
while ensuring clarity and a unified voice.
01
Avoiding Over-Paraphrasing
It's important to balance paraphrasing with direct quotes and original analysis.
This slide will discuss how to avoid over-paraphrasing, which can lead to a loss
of originality and critical engagement with the text.
02
Combining Sources

12. Simplifying Concepts
Paraphrasing can be used to simplify complex concepts and technical jargon for better
comprehension. This slide will provide strategies for breaking down difficult passages into
more accessible language.
Paraphrasing Complex Information
Maintaining Technical Accuracy
While simplifying, it's crucial to maintain the technical accuracy of the original information.
This slide will address how to ensure that the essence of complex ideas is preserved in the
paraphrasing process.

13. Section 3
Paraphrasing in Practice

14. Practice Exercise: Paraphrasing a Paragraph
Interactive Example
Engage students with an interactive exercise where they
paraphrase a provided paragraph. This hands-on
approach reinforces the techniques learned and allows
for immediate application.
Peer Review
Encourage students to work in pairs or groups to review
each other's paraphrases, providing constructive
feedback and fostering collaborative learning.

15. Criteria for Success
This slide will outline the criteria for effective paraphrasing, such as accuracy, originality,
and readability, helping students to self-assess their work.
Identifying Effective Paraphrasing
Comparing Examples
By comparing examples of effective and ineffective paraphrasing, students can better
understand common pitfalls and how to avoid them.

16. Challenges with Creative Texts
Paraphrasing literary works presents unique challenges due to the stylistic and
creative elements of the text. This slide will discuss strategies for maintaining
the author's voice and the nuances of the original work.
01
Examples from Literature
Provide examples of paraphrasing from various literary genres to illustrate how
to handle different styles and themes while paraphrasing.
02
Paraphrasing Literary Works

17. Technical Precision
In scientific and research writing, paraphrasing requires technical precision and
adherence to the original study's findings. This slide will focus on how to
paraphrase while maintaining scientific integrity.
01
Citing Sources
Emphasise the importance of proper citation when paraphrasing in academic
research to give credit to the original authors and to avoid plagiarism.
02
Paraphrasing in Science and Research

18. Section 4
Paraphrasing Tools and Resources

19. Overview of Tools
Introduce students to various digital paraphrasing tools that can assist in
rewording text, such as Ref-n-write and Typeset.io's Paraphraser, highlighting
their features and limitations.
01
How to Use Tools Effectively
Provide guidance on how to use these tools effectively as a starting point for
paraphrasing, while emphasizing the need for further refinement and review of
the generated text.
02
Digital Paraphrasing Tools

20. Academic Resources
Direct students to online resources such as Walden University's Writing Center and
Writefull's Paraphraser, which offer guides and tips for effective paraphrasing in academic
writing.
Online Resources and Guides
Utilizing Libraries and Databases
Encourage the use of academic libraries and databases to access original research articles
and literature, which serve as valuable resources for understanding the context and
content for paraphrasing.

21. Writing Assistance Software
Discuss the role of software like Ahrefs' Writing Tools in supporting academic
writing and paraphrasing, and how such tools can aid in maintaining the quality
and originality of the work.
01
Limitations and Human Input
While these tools are helpful, this slide will stress the importance of human input
and critical thinking in the paraphrasing process to ensure that the final product
is accurate and well-integrated into the student's own writing.
02
Software for Academic Writing

22. Long-Term Skill Development
Emphasize that while tools and resources are helpful, developing paraphrasing skills is a
long-term process that requires practice and engagement with a wide range of texts.
Developing Paraphrasing Skills
Continuous Learning
Encourage students to view paraphrasing as a skill that improves with continuous learning
and exposure to different writing styles, disciplines, and authors.

23. Section 5
Ethical Considerations and Plagiarism

24. Definition and Consequences
Define plagiarism as the act of using someone else's work without proper
attribution and discuss the academic and legal consequences of committing
plagiarism.
01
Avoiding Plagiarism
Provide strategies for avoiding plagiarism, such as thorough note-taking, careful
citation, and the use of plagiarism detection software.
02
Understanding Plagiarism

25. Respecting Intellectual Property
Discuss the importance of respecting intellectual property by paraphrasing ethically and
giving credit to the original authors through proper citation and acknowledgment.
Ethical Paraphrasing
Balancing Originality and Sources
Explore how to balance the use of sources with original thought and analysis, ensuring that
the student's voice remains prominent in their academic work.

26. Citation Styles
Introduce the various citation styles (APA, MLA,
Chicago, etc.) and their importance in academic
writing, guiding students on how to cite sources
correctly when paraphrasing.
01
Citation and Referencing
02
Bibliography Entry
List it down in alphabetical order. Crosscheck
the entry and the citation in the writing.