How to Paraphrase in 5 Easy Steps | Scribbr 🎓
TLDRLearn how to paraphrase effectively with Scribbr's 5-step guide. Start by understanding the passage, noting key concepts, and writing without the original text. Compare and adjust your version to ensure it's distinct. Use synonyms and vary sentence structure. Avoid quoting; instead, paraphrase to show understanding and maintain your voice in writing.
Takeaways
- 📚 Paraphrasing is rewriting a passage in your own words without changing its original meaning.
- 👀 Read the passage multiple times to fully grasp its meaning.
- 📝 Note down the key concepts to help you remember the main points.
- ✍️ Write your paraphrased version without looking at the original text.
- 🔍 Compare your paraphrase with the original and adjust for similarity.
- 📖 Cite the source to give credit to the original author.
- 🔑 Start your paraphrase with a different sentence structure than the original.
- 📖 Use synonyms to replace words in the original text.
- 🔄 Change the sentence structure, e.g., from active to passive voice.
- 📐 Break long sentences into shorter ones or combine short ones into longer sentences.
- 🚫 Avoid quoting directly; instead, paraphrase to show you've understood the text.
- 💡 Use quotes sparingly for definitions, author's positions, or argument support.
Q & A
What is paraphrasing?
-Paraphrasing is the act of rewriting a specific passage from someone else in your own words without changing the original meaning or removing any information.
Why is it important to understand the meaning of the passage before paraphrasing?
-Understanding the meaning is crucial to ensure that the paraphrased text accurately conveys the same information as the original without any distortion.
How many key concepts should one note down before paraphrasing?
-The number of key concepts to note down is not specified, but it should include all the main ideas and details necessary to convey the original meaning.
Why is it recommended to write the paraphrased text without looking at the original?
-Writing without looking at the original helps to ensure that the paraphrased version is genuinely in your own words and not just a copy of the original.
What should you do if your paraphrased text is too similar to the original?
-If the paraphrased text is too similar, make changes to use different words, sentence structures, or ideas to ensure it is distinct from the original.
How does citing the source of the text differ when paraphrasing compared to quoting?
-When paraphrasing, you don't need quotation marks and should cite the source to give credit for the original ideas. Quoting involves copying a source word for word and requires quotation marks and a citation.
What are the four tips provided to make paraphrasing easier?
-The four tips are: 1) Start your first sentence at a different point from the original source. 2) Use synonyms and consider using a thesaurus. 3) Change the sentence structure, possibly switching between active and passive voice. 4) Break long sentences into smaller ones or combine short sentences into longer ones.
Why is it better to paraphrase most of the information found instead of quoting?
-Paraphrasing is better because it shows that you have digested and understood the text, leading to a better flow in your paper and maintaining your voice throughout.
When should you use quotes instead of paraphrasing?
-You should use quotes when providing a definition, presenting an author's position, or when you want to support your argument with the exact words of the source.
What is the Scribbr citation generator and how does it help with paraphrasing?
-The Scribbr citation generator is a tool that helps users easily create citations for their sources. It assists with paraphrasing by ensuring proper citation practices are followed, thus avoiding plagiarism.
How can changing the voice from active to passive or vice versa help in paraphrasing?
-Changing the voice can help in paraphrasing by altering the structure of the sentence, which can make the paraphrased text distinct from the original and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the content.
Outlines
📚 Mastering Paraphrasing
Jessica from Scribbr introduces viewers to the concept of paraphrasing, which involves rewriting a passage in one's own words without altering its original meaning. She outlines five steps to achieve effective paraphrasing: 1) Read the passage multiple times for comprehension, 2) Note key concepts, 3) Write without looking at the original text, 4) Compare and adjust for similarity, and 5) Cite the source. Jessica also offers four helpful tips: starting sentences differently, using synonyms, altering sentence structure, and breaking or combining sentences. She clarifies the difference between paraphrasing and quoting, emphasizing the importance of paraphrasing for academic writing to maintain a paper's flow and voice.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Paraphrasing
💡Academic Goals
💡Key Concepts
💡Synonyms
💡Sentence Structure
💡Citation
💡Quoting
💡Thesaurus
💡Voice
💡Flow
Highlights
Learn how to paraphrase in five easy steps with tips from Scribbr.
Paraphrasing is rewriting a passage in your own words without changing the meaning.
Read the passage several times to fully understand the meaning.
Note down the key concepts before you start paraphrasing.
Write your version without looking at the original text.
Compare your paraphrase with the original and adjust for similarity.
Cite the source of the text to give credit to the original author.
Use the Scribbr citation generator for easy citation.
Avoid using quotation marks when paraphrasing.
Start your first sentence differently from the original source.
Utilize synonyms and consider using a thesaurus.
Change the sentence structure for variety.
Switch between active and passive voice to differentiate your paraphrase.
Break long sentences into smaller ones or combine short ones.
Apply the four tips to effectively paraphrase an example sentence.
Understand the difference between paraphrasing and quoting.
Paraphrase most of the information found instead of quoting.
Quoting should be used for definitions, author's positions, or argument support.
Ensure your paper has a good flow and your voice remains dominant.
Like and comment if you have questions after watching the video.