Academic Writing: How to Paraphrase Without Plagiarising - 5 Techniques, Synonyms, Structure, Voice

How to Paraphrase Without Plagiarising

Introduction

Mastering paraphrasing is like having a superpower in English. It helps you express your ideas in your own words, sound more confident, and avoid plagiarism. With this skill, you'll be able to write and speak more effectively, and even impress your teachers and employers.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST

Before we dive into paraphrasing, make sure you're comfortable with:

1. Understanding the original text: You should be able to read and comprehend the text you want to paraphrase.
2. Identifying key points: You should be able to identify the main ideas and supporting details in the text.

CORE CONTENT

Now, let's learn 5 techniques to paraphrase without plagiarising:

1. Synonyms

Using synonyms is a great way to paraphrase. A synonym is a word or phrase that has the same meaning as another word or phrase.

• Example: Original sentence: "The teacher gave us a lot of homework." Paraphrased sentence using synonyms: "The teacher assigned us a substantial amount of homework."
• Tip: Use a thesaurus to find synonyms.

2. Structure

Changing the structure of a sentence can also help you paraphrase.

• Example: Original sentence: "I went to the store and bought some milk." Paraphrased sentence with a different structure: "I bought some milk at the store."
• Tip: Try rearranging the words in the sentence to create a new sentence.

3. Voice

Using a different voice or tone can also help you paraphrase.

• Example: Original sentence: "The new policy is very strict." Paraphrased sentence with a different voice: "The new policy is quite rigid, don't you think?"
• Tip: Use contractions, colloquial expressions, or idioms to create a different voice.

4. Reorganizing Ideas

Reorganizing the ideas in a text can also help you paraphrase.

• Example: Original text: "The company has been in business for 10 years. They have a strong team of employees. They have a good reputation in the industry." Paraphrased text with reorganized ideas: "The company has a strong reputation in the industry, thanks to its experienced team of employees, who have been working together for 10 years."
• Tip: Identify the main ideas and supporting details, and reorganize them to create a new text.

5. Using Your Own Words

Using your own words is the most important thing when paraphrasing.

• Example: Original sentence: "The new policy is very strict." Paraphrased sentence using your own words: "The new policy is like a rule book – it's very detailed and has a lot of rules."
• Tip: Try to use your own words and phrases to express the same idea.

WORKED / MODEL EXAMPLES

Let's practice paraphrasing using the 5 techniques we learned.

Original text: "The new policy is very strict. It has a lot of rules and regulations. Employees who break the rules will be punished."

Paraphrased text using synonyms: "The new policy is quite rigid. It has a multitude of rules and regulations. Staff members who breach the rules will face disciplinary action."

Paraphrased text with a different structure: "Staff members who breach the rules will face disciplinary action. The new policy has a multitude of rules and regulations. It's quite rigid."

Paraphrased text with a different voice: "The new policy is like a rule book – it's very detailed and has a lot of rules. Employees who break the rules will be in big trouble."

Paraphrased text with reorganized ideas: "The new policy has a lot of rules and regulations. Staff members who break the rules will face disciplinary action. It's a very strict policy."

Paraphrased text using your own words: "The new policy is like a rule book – it's very detailed and has a lot of rules. Employees who break the rules will be in big trouble. It's a very strict policy."

Common Mistakes

Here are 3 common mistakes to avoid when paraphrasing:

1. Mistake: Copying and pasting the original text. WHY IT HAPPENS: You might be in a hurry or not understand the concept of paraphrasing. CORRECT APPROACH: Take your time, and try to use your own words to express the same idea.

2. Mistake: Changing only a few words in the original text. WHY IT HAPPENS: You might think that changing a few words is enough to paraphrase, but it's not. CORRECT APPROACH: Try to use your own words and phrases to express the same idea.

3. Mistake: Not checking for plagiarism. WHY IT HAPPENS: You might not know how to check for plagiarism or might be too lazy to do it. CORRECT APPROACH: Use plagiarism detection tools, and always check your work before submitting it.

1-Minute Recap

So, to paraphrase without plagiarising, remember to:

• Use synonyms to replace words and phrases
• Change the structure of the sentence
• Use a different voice or tone
• Reorganize the ideas in the text
• Use your own words to express the same idea

And always check for plagiarism before submitting your work. With practice, you'll become a paraphrasing master and be able to express your ideas in your own words with confidence.