PARAPHRASING

PARAPHRASING

1. Means taking another person’s ideas and putting those ideas in your own words

2. Characteristics of a good paraphrase

   • It includes only the author's ideas
   • It is accurate and fair
   • It is entirely in your own words
   • It is properly cited

3. STEPS TO EFFECTIVE PARAPHRASING

   • Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning
     • Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card
       • Take notes from your reading with the book closed. Doing so will make it easier to put the ideas in your own words
         • Jot down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.
           • Check your rendition with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form
             • Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phraseology you have borrowed exactly from the source
               • Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

4. Is a fine way to use another person’s ideas to support your argument

5. IS A VALUABLE SKILL BECAUSE...

   • 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