UNDERSTANDING HOW TO USE
PARAPHRASING IN
YOUR RESEARCH PAPER
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
WHAT IS PARAPHRASING?
 Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into
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your own words.
Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage,
because the information is written about in a broader sense therefore
condensing the information.
Paraphrased information must be cited parenthetically.
A paraphrase is using your own words to summarize the ideas and
thoughts expressed by
another person, accompanied by accurate documentation (i.e.,
citation(s)). It’s the only
way you can borrow legitimately from someone else. If you borrow
ideas from someone
else and don’t give them credit then it’s plagiarism.
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
WHY IS PARAPHRASING A VALUABLE SKILL?
Paraphrasing is a valuable skill because...
 it is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage.
 it helps you control the temptation to quote too much.
 the mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to
grasp the full meaning of the original.
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
ORIGINAL PASSAGE
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
WORD-FOR-WORD PLAGIARISM
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
PATCHWORK PARAPHRASE
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF PARAPHRASING?
 Look away from the source;
then write.
 Read the text you want to paraphrase several times until you feel that you
understand it and can use your own words to restate it to someone else.
Then, look away from the original and rewrite the text in your own words.
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF PARAPHRASING?
 Take notes.
 Take abbreviated notes; set the notes aside; then paraphrase from the
notes a day or so later, or when you draft.
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF PARAPHRASING?
While looking at the source, first change the
order of ideas, then change the sentence
structure, then the words.
 Change the order of ideas—begin in the middle or the end.
 Change the structure by breaking up long sentences, combine short
ones, expand phrases for clarity or shorten them for conciseness,
and eliminate unnecessary information.
 Change the words using synonyms or a phrase that expresses the
same meaning. Look up words you do not understand.
 Continue the process.
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
PARAPHRASING ADVICE
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When reading a passage, try first to understand it as a whole, rather
than pausing to write down specific ideas or phrases.
Be selective. You usually do not need to paraphrase an entire
passage; instead, choose and summarize the material that helps you
make a point in your paper.
Think of what "your own words" would be if you were telling someone
who's unfamiliar with your subject (your mother, your brother, a
friend) what the original source said.
Remember that you can use direct quotations of phrases from the
original within your paraphrase, and that you don't need to change or
put quotation marks around common or shared phrases or language.
You are plagiarizing if you use more than 3 consecutive words from
the original, fail to change the sentence structure or word order
enough, or FORGET TO CITE THE SOURCE!
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
PRACTICE
"There are several methods for
learning English well, including
memorizing vocabulary and using it
in conversation.”
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.
PRACTICE
 "There are several methods for learning English well,
including memorizing vocabulary and using it in
conversation.”
 Learning new words and using them when you speak are
two ways to master English.
 Developing your vocabulary and practicing using new words
in conversation will help you to master the English
language.
 Two ways to master the English language is to develop your
vocabulary and incorporate these new vocabulary words
when engaged in conversation.
"Avoiding Plagiarism: Quoting and Paraphrasing. University of Wisconsin, 11 Dec. 2011.
Web. 26 Feb. 2012. <Http://Writing.Wisc.Edu/Handbook/Qpa_paraphrase.Html>.