Paraphrasing,
Summarizing, and
Plagiarism
An Overview
Paraphrasing

What is paraphrasing?
◦ A way to incorporate a source’s ideas without
directly quoting the source
◦ Using your own words to convey another
author’s information
◦ Using a different sentence or paragraph
structure to convey the information
◦ Usually a similar length as the original text
Example of Paraphrasing
Original: “As any publisher or filmmaker
can attest, Jane Austen is a hot literary
commodity. Every week seems to bring a
new continuation, reimagining, mashup, or
modernization of her novels” (Jerrit, 107).
 Paraphrasing: Jane Austen is a popular
figure in literature and movies today. Her
novels have been transformed and
adapted to fit the modern world (Jerrit,
107).

Summarizing

What is summarizing?
◦ A way to include information without directly
quoting the source
◦ Using your own words and structure
◦ A way to give a brief overview of information
from another source
◦ Shorter than the original text
Example of Summarizing
Original: “Today more than 23 million U.S. children and
adolescents are either obese or overweight. Being
overweight during childhood increases the risk of
developing diseases such as high cholesterol,
hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems,
depression and type 2 diabetes. Of particular concern is
type 2 diabetes, which has increased dramatically in
children and adolescents, especially in the African
American population” (Green, Riley, and Hargrove 915).
 Summary: Millions of children and teenagers are
overweight, which increases the likelihood that these
children will develop diseases later in life. Due to the
increase in obesity, type 2 diabetes poses a specific
problem for children and teens (Green, Riley, and Hargrove 915).

Plagiarism
Using another person’s work without
citing the source
 Incorrectly citing a source
 Incorrectly paraphrasing
 Incorrectly summarizing

Examples of Plagiarism


Original: “Curriculum concerns for the
obese should include instructions in
nutrition, individual and group counseling,
exercise classes, and training in eating
control techniques” (Green, Riley, and
Hargrove 917).
Plagiarism: Curriculum for obese children
should include instructions in individual and
group counseling, nutrition, training for
eating control practices, and exercise classes
(Green, Riley, and Hargrove 917).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Make sure that when paraphrasing and
summarizing, the original message and
intent of the author is still clear
 Make sure that a direct quotation is not
taken out of context of the rest of the
text

Works Cited
Jerrit, Jessica. "No Persuasion Necessary: Jane
Austen's Eternal Appeal." Library Journal 135.15
(2010): 107. Academic Search Complete. Web. 1
Nov. 2012.
 Green, Gregory, Clarence Riley, and Brenda Hargrove.
"Physical Activity And Childhood Obesity:
Strategies And Solutions For Schools And
Parents." Education 132.4 (2012): 915-920.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 1 Nov. 2012.
 “Paraphrasing vs. Plagiarizing (76a).” University of
Mary Washington Writing Center. Print.
