Paraphrasing is a very useful skill when writing an essay. When citing content, you must express that information in your own words. To start, read the content carefully and write the information in your words. Then, analyze your essay and make any necessary modifications to make sure the information is as clear as possible. Make sure to write all the work in your own words and avoid plagiarism.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Expressing Information in Your Words
Step 1. Read the content carefully
To paraphrase the information with your words, the key is to read carefully. Read the text you want to paraphrase over and over until you fully understand it.
- Take notes as you read the text. In this way, you will already be beginning to paraphrase.
- After reading all the paragraphs, pause and reiterate what is written. Imagine that you want to explain it to someone else.
Step 2. Do not use words from the original text
Unless you want to make a direct quote, be sure not to include the original diction. In any case, it is inevitable not to include some words. For example, if you write about a particular science term, you will have to use the term. Anyway, for the most part, try to avoid the terms that appear in the original text.
- For example, if you write about sex determination on chromosomes, you will have to use the word "chromosome."
- Some people find that time can be saved by simply replacing the original word with a synonym. By doing so, the text will sound inappropriate and plagiarism can still be detected if you do not modify at least the basic structure of the sentence.
Step 3. Express the information in your own words
Imagine that you have to describe this information to another person who does not have knowledge of the subject. Describe the content to this imaginary person in your own words.
For example, the original text says: "Out of the 46 chromosomes found in human DNA, sex is determined by the 'X' and 'Y' chromosomes." How can you write it with your words? You can say, "In humans, DNA is made up of 46 unique chromosomes. Biological sex determination is based on the 'X' and 'Y' chromosomes."
Step 4. Cite the source when you are done
Even if you wrote it in your own words, you have to include the source. Follow the guidelines for the writing style you use (i.e. APA format, MLA format, etc.) and cite the source according to that style. Sources are sometimes cited in parentheses with the text in the footnotes.
Part 2 of 3: Paraphrasing Clearly
Step 1. Identify the main points
After paraphrasing a sentence or paragraph, read the original text. Try to restate your main point in a sentence or two. Then, read your version again to make sure you have correctly reflected these points.
- For example, if the original sentence reads, "In East of Eden, Steinbeck's characters are caught in a moral ambiguity divided between good and evil," the main point here is that the characters in East of Eden meet. in an undefined situation.
- Read your sentence again. The sentence reads: "Steinbeck illustrates how characters choose between good and evil." This sentence misses the main point, since it leaves that situation undefined in the background.
- Modify the sentence to reflect the main point. For example, you can write: "Steinbeck illustrates how characters live between good and evil."
Step 2. Paraphrase any confusing or incoherent sentences
Often, when trying not to plagiarize, the sentence structure is poor and confusing. Review the words that you have paraphrased and analyze the sentences that are difficult to understand.
- For example, you have written: "The characters in Mrs. Dalloway suffer trauma from World War I, which is illustrated through Clarissa's fear of a vehicle malfunction and more dramatically through her war neurosis. Septimus Smith ".
This sentence is too long. In fact, it could be separated into two sentences. For example: "The characters in Mrs. Dalloway suffer trauma from World War I. This is illustrated when Clarissa freaks out over a malfunctioning vehicle. It is then shown more dramatically through the war neurosis of Septimus Smith "
Step 3. Include all the necessary details
When paraphrasing content, it's easy to accidentally discard information. A good paraphrase should be very clear. Analyze your words to make sure you have included all the necessary information.
- For example, the original sentence reads: "The murders occurred in 1991 in a small suburb outside of Chicago just after nine in the morning." Your version says, "The family was murdered near Chicago."
- Rewrite the sentence to add the missing details. For example, you can write: "The family was murdered in the suburbs outside Chicago in 1991. It is estimated that the incident occurred around nine in the morning."
Part 3 of 3: Avoid Plagiarism
Step 1. Modify the structure in addition to the words
By paraphrasing the content with your words, the sentence structure sometimes changes as well. In any case, if you consider that any of your sentences are a mirror of the original version, make the necessary modifications in the structure to avoid plagiarism.
- To change the structure, the key is to start with a different idea, fact, sentence, or passage.
- For example, a paragraph of a literary analysis begins with a summary of the relationships between the characters before establishing the theory of the essay topic. When paraphrasing, first establish the theme and then write about the relationships between the characters.
Step 2. Include your writing style
Think about your voice, tone, and writing style. Try to include these aspects in your essay. This will help you stay away from the original content while also providing more engaged work.
- For example, one paragraph reads: "Even 40 years later, the elephant remembered its training from when it was used in war."
Use creativity to paraphrase. For example, you can write: "By checking the old saying that elephants never forget, the elephant used in war remembers his training 40 years later."
Step 3. Appointment when necessary
Sometimes it's okay to use the original source if your words aren't enough to convey the necessary information. If you decide to quote directly, put them in block and in quotation marks. Then, cite the source according to the guidelines you use for the essay.
However, be careful not to quote too much. When writing, it is important to include content in your own words rather than simply reinforcing the work of other writers
Step 4. Analyze your words with a tool on the Internet
There are many tools that will help you check for plagiarism. Just to be safe, copy and paste your words into a tool like, for example, DupliChecker or Copyleaks. These programs will analyze your words to make sure they are not too similar to existing content.