Reference | Webber. 2015
What is Paraphrasing?

A restatement of a text or passage giving the meaning in another form; the act or process of
restating or rewording.

Putting information into your own words
How can I tell if I'm paraphrasing or plagiarizing?
When paraphrasing sources, it is often difficult to judge how much we need to reword the source material in
order to avoid plagiarism. Here are some guidelines to follow when paraphrasing:

Use synonyms. Avoid using the same word choices as the source.

Vary sentence structure. Changing the words but not the structure can still be considered plagiarism.

Cite your sources!
What Is Plagiarism?
Plagiarism is the “unlicensed usage of another person's work”. This can include:

Taking the words or ideas of another and either copying or paraphrasing without giving credit to the
source (quotation marks).

Copying a paper off the internet and turning it in as your own.

Cutting and pasting sections from an internet source into your own paper.

Letting someone else do your paper, or turning in a paper that has been heavily edited by a tutor/ parent
or peer
What can I do to avoid plagiarism?

Cite all sources. Use quotation marks for direct quotes. It helps to write down the title, author and page
number of your sources as you go along.

Paraphrase, don't copy. Restate the idea in your own words.
 Understand the subject matter before writing your paper. If you are unclear about the subject,
you are more likely to rely on the exact wording of the author. Also it is important that you
understand each quote and fact from your source before you use it.
This point is a big one, and an important link to our presentations as well. When you are writing a
paper or creating your script for your presentation, you want to be absolute in your understanding
of what is being said… for example, if my topic was Cashman Park and I incorporated the
following quote:
Reference | Webber. 2015
“Mr. Cashman had a vision of what could be accomplished. In his mind’s eye he could see a
park with athletic fields, spaces for the children to play, benches for the older folks to rest on,
and long stretches of level land for long walks. Mr. Cashman hired an engineer and paid $150
out of his own pocket for a proposed park plan.”
-Heritage Trail Website: Cashman Park
1. Start with making sure that you have depth
a)
b)
c)
d)
Which Mr. Cashman?
Who was he?
When was this?
Is his “vision” what we see today or did it change?
These are things to incorporate into this, or another subtopic piece showing the audience and evaluator
that you knew the details or the “depth”.
2. Next, identify unknown terms/ language. If something is difficult to pronounce or you do not know
what something means, do not use it, look it up, use synonyms or if you use the term and it is
difficult, stop to explain to your audience.
“Mr. Cashman hired an engineer…”
First research exactly what type of engineer he did in fact hire, and who that was? It is public record and
does exist here in town. Most likely this was a municipal engineer, so stop during the presentation and
explain:
“Definition of municipal engineering: a branch of engineering that deals with the operation and problems (as
laying out additions and parks, and constructing and maintaining sewer systems, waterworks, and pavements)
peculiar to urban life.”
-Merriam-Webster Dictionary
3. Then start to put these pieces together in your own words. You would still have to cite this in your
‘works cited’ page because although you are changing the text significantly, you are taking the
information and ideas that someone else has compiled and published.
Reference | Webber. 2015
Mr. Cashman hired a municipal engineer; that is a specific type of engineer who deals with
the design of public parks and ensuring that all city aspects are considered, like sewer,
parking, paving and maintenance… (And remember, this is if I did not find the specific engineer
and their exact title/ responsibilities)
This is now part of the paraphrased piece
Original: “Mr. Cashman had a vision of what could be accomplished. In his mind’s eye he could see a
park with athletic fields, spaces for the children to play, benches for the older folks to rest on, and
long stretches of level land for long walks. Mr. Cashman hired an engineer and paid $150 out of his
own pocket for a proposed park plan.”
Paraphrased: Mr. Cashman was a visionary, (someone who has original ideas about what the future
could be like) he imaged a place in Newburyport that could be for public use by citizens of all ages.
He believed in this idea so much that he even went as far as paying for the municipal engineer
himself (that is a specific type of engineer who deals with the design of public parks and ensuring
that all city aspects are considered and done correctly, like sewer, parking, paving and
maintenance).
Paraphrased with some depth: Michael Cashman was a visionary, (someone who has original ideas
about what the future could be like) he imaged a place in Newburyport that could be for public use
by citizens of all ages. He believed in this so much that when he ran for Mayor of Newburyport and
was elected in 1921, he purposed a plan for a space in town to be used for athletic fields, open space,
benches and pathways. He believed in this idea so much that he even went as far as paying for the
municipal engineer himself (that is a specific type of engineer who deals with the design of public
parks and ensuring that all city aspects are considered, like sewer, parking, paving and
maintenance). Within months, Mayor Cashman went from public vision to the selection of
property, to the creation of what was originally called, “Central Park”. It was only months prior to
his death in 1944 that Mr. Cashman agreed to have his name attached to the park and renamed in
his honor after years of urging from city officials and local residents.
Again, add depth here, talking about the history of the property and the condition and the steps to
secure the space for public land. That would potentially be another subtopic or section of my
presentation.
Reference | Webber. 2015
Do I need to cite information that is common knowledge?
No—the trouble is determining what is common knowledge and what is not. Original research and
opinions are not common knowledge, and must always be cited. But what about established
information?
To some degree, it depends on your level of expertise and on whom you are directing your paper to. A
good rule of thumb is: if you had to look it up, cite it.
Using our example…
You could most likely describe the location of Cashman Park (as it relates to the river, the Park Lunch
or other landmarks) without citing a source; if you have been there, you are basing this off of your own
experiences (a primary source). However, if you then began describing the conditions of the area as it
appeared in 1921 and incorporated that into your piece, then you are required to cite that source even if
paraphrased on only briefly mentioned; your information could have come from either another primary
source or a secondary source.
What is a primary source?
A primary source is a document or physical object which was written or created during the time under study. These sources were
present during an experience or time period and offer an inside view of a particular event. Some types of primary sources include:

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS (excerpts or translations acceptable): Diaries, speeches, manuscripts,
letters, interviews, news film footage, autobiographies, official records

CREATIVE WORKS: Poetry, drama, novels, music, art OR RELICS OR ARTIFACTS: Pottery,
furniture, clothing, buildings
What is a secondary source?
A secondary source interprets and analyzes primary sources. These sources are one or more steps removed from the event. Secondary
sources may have pictures, quotes or graphics of primary sources in them. Some types of secondary sources include:

PUBLICATIONS: Textbooks, magazine articles, histories, criticisms, commentaries, encyclopedias
Examples of secondary sources include:

A journal/magazine article which interprets or reviews previous findings

A history textbook: “History Alive”