3 Reasons Why You Should Paraphrase
- It builds credibility: Relying too heavily on direct quotes can make readers doubt your originality and credibility.
- It demonstrates comprehension: Paraphrasing clearly shows your audience that you fully understand the subject matter.
- It improves flow: Using your own words creates a more unified and consistent voice throughout your paper.
3 Steps to Effective Paraphrasing
- Analyze: Read and study the original text until you fully grasp the material and its underlying meaning.
- Vocalize: Explain your understanding of the text out loud without looking at the source.
- Draft: Write down your explanation on a piece of paper.
Do I need to change every word when paraphrasing?
This is a great question. Unfortunately, there is no quick or easy answer because paraphrasing is more of an art than an exact science.
If it were a science, there would be a strict formula to follow. Instead, paraphrasing requires you to take a concept from another writer and express it in your own unique voice and style. This does not mean you change the meaning of the text—only the way it is delivered.
Think of it like translating a passage from Japanese to English. You would naturally use your own phrasing, but your most important goal would be to preserve the original intent and meaning. Similarly, when paraphrasing, we must maintain the original idea, intent, and tone to remain objective and reliable. (Note: While it might be tempting to twist the information to support your own arguments, doing so goes against the rules of academic honesty).
Ultimately, you need to show that you understand the original text well enough to explain the author’s concepts without relying on their exact wording.
What You Shouldn’t Change
With that being said, proper nouns, basic facts, and commonly understood terms do not need to be changed. For instance, if you are paraphrasing an article about the Eiffel Tower, you should still refer to it as the “Eiffel Tower.” Attempting to find a synonym for a specific proper noun usually makes the writing sound awkward and confusing.
Practice Exercise
Directions: Read the original text below until you fully understand it. Once you feel confident that you grasp the author’s main points, set the text aside. Explain the concept out loud—either to a friend or to yourself—and then write your understanding of it on a piece of paper.
Finally, compare your paraphrase with the original quote. Remember, a good paraphrase should sound like your own natural language while accurately carrying the original meaning. You may repeat this exercise as many times as you need to.
Original Text:
“Bananas are extremely healthy and delicious. They contain several essential nutrients and provide benefits for digestion, heart health and weight loss” (healthline.com).
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