Paraphrasing well means capturing an author’s idea in your own words and sentence structure, not just swapping a few synonyms. This guide shows how to do it correctly and avoid accidental plagiarism.
Why Simple Word-Swapping Does Not Work
Replacing individual words with synonyms while keeping the same sentence structure is still considered too close to the original and can be flagged by plagiarism checkers as well as markers.
The Read, Close, Write Method
Read the passage carefully, close the source completely, and write the idea from memory in your own words. Then compare your version against the original to check you have not accidentally copied phrasing.
Changing Structure as Well as Words
Try reordering clauses, splitting long sentences into two, or combining short sentences. Changing structure alongside vocabulary makes your paraphrase genuinely your own.
Always Cite the Original Source
Even a fully rewritten paraphrase still needs an in-text citation, since the idea itself came from someone else’s work, not just the exact wording.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need to reference a paraphrased sentence?
Yes, paraphrased ideas always require a citation, since you are using someone else’s thinking even though the wording is your own.
How can I check if my paraphrase is too similar to the original?
Compare your sentence structure and key phrases side by side with the original, and run your work through your university’s plagiarism checker before submission.
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