To paraphrase a text means to rewrite it in your own words while keeping the key ideas and message. This avoids plagiarism. To paraphrase effectively, understand the topic and main idea, replace words with synonyms, change word order or sentence structure, and combine or rearrange sentences. Proper citation is still required when paraphrasing.

1. Paraphrase
How to & Practice

2. A paraphrase is an extract from
another source re-written by
another person. A paraphrase
contains all or most of the points
of the original text and is around
the same length. A reference
must be provided.
Davies, W. M. And Beaumont, T. J. (2007), Paraphrasing, Teaching
and Learning Unit, Faculty of Business and Economics, the
University of Melbourne

3. In a nutshell
To rewrite the idea from the original
text in your very own words
Why?
To avoid plagiarism, copying and
infringing on other’s works

4. Plagiarism
The practice of taking someone
else’s work or ideas and passing
them off as one’s own [Oxford
English Dictionary]
Copy from internet
Have someone do your work
Dishonest and considered cheating

5. How to paraphrase
You need to understand what the
original text conveys
What is the topic and main message?
Stumble upon unknown vocabulary? Consult a
good dictionary
Write down what you understand in
your own words

6. Mix several techniques to
give paraphrasing an
effective effect
Paraphrasing
Techniques

7. Use Synonyms
My friend has many cats.
A friend of mine owns several feline
companions.

8. The working team forecasted a
big increase in sales.
Forecast: predict, estimate
Big: major, huge, sizable, considerable
Increase: rise, growth, boost

9. Change Order
Her name is Jane.
Jane is her name.
She looks so cute
when she has a flower
in her hand.
When she holds a flower in
her hand, she looks very
adorable.

10. Combine Sentences
When it rains heavily,
don’t forget your
umbrella.
You shouldn’t be in an
open area.
Be sure to bring an umbrella,
and avoid an open area during
the heavy rain.

11. Van Gogh was a
great Dutch.
painter.
He became famous
posthumously.
Van Gogh, who was a
great Dutch painter,
became well-known
after his death.

12. Change Part of
Speech
Verb ≶ Noun ≶ Adjective ≶ Adverb
The department’s summary shows
the continuous increase in sale.
The department summarizes that sale
increases continuously.

13. Change Sentence
Type
She studies hard, for she wants to
get a scholarship. [compound]
Because she wishes to receive a scholarship,
she spends a lot of time studying. [complex]
The news reported that monsoon
was coming to the north. [s/v]
According to the news, the monsoon was
approaching the northern part. [phrase]

14. A TV commercial is expensive;
however, it is not effective.
However: although, but, despite
Although a TVC is costly, it is not effective.
[complex sentence]
A TVC is pricey, but it does not work.
[compound sentence]
Despite the high price, a TVC does not
work. [simple sentence]

15. The Voice
Thomas Jefferson
wrote the
Declaration of
Independence.
The Declaration of
Independence was
written by Thomas
Jefferson.