Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing

Avoiding plagiarism

Poll

Do you know what paraphrasing is?

• Yes

• No

• I have heard of it, but I cannot remember the exact definition.

What is paraphrasing?

A friend tells you, "I am absolutely livid. Jamie shared confidential information with Caroline!" You respond, "So, you're saying that you're angry that Jamie told Caroline your secret?"

When you retell information in your own words, you are paraphrasing.

Paraphrasing Definition

Paraphrasing, or restating ideas in your own words, helps you check your understanding of what you hear and read. Read the passage below.

Multiple Select

Which sentence best paraphrases this passage:

Although television was not widely used in American homes until the 1950s, small, experimental television images were broadcast in the 1920s.

• Television was not widely used in American homes until the 1950s.

• Television became popular in the 1950s, but the first televisions were used thirty years earlier.

• Television became popular in the 1920s, and again in the 1950s

Paraphrasing Tip

Stopping occasionally to paraphrase as you read will help you make sure that you understand the ideas in a text.

Multiple Select

Is the example below an accurate paraphrase?

Original text: The story of Michael Jordan not making his high school team has been told and retold, but continues to

inspire with each retelling.

Paraphrase: No matter how many times the story of Michael Jordan not making his varsity basket ball team is retold, it still is motivational.

• Yes

• No

A paraphrase is not a summary.

A paraphrase is more than a summary of a text's main ideas—it restates each key idea in about the same number of words.

Multiple Select

Is this passage an accurate paraphrase that helps clarify the meaning of the original text?

Original Text: It was a perfectly logical choice for the coaches to assign Jordan to the junior varsity team for his

sophomore year. But 15-year-old Jordan was devastated when the list was posted without his name.

Paraphrase: Michael Jordan was upset when he saw that he had not made his varsity team.

• Yes

• No

Why Paraphrase?

Paraphrasing can help you avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking another person's ideas or words and presenting them as your own. This is not only a serious academic offense, but it is also illegal in many cases. Use your own words when you write, and always give credit to others whose ideas you use.

When you research, paraphrase your sources when you are not directly quoting them.

Multiple Choice

Which option is not plagiarism of the following sentence:

It became a pattern throughout Jordan’s life that a disappointment or setback resulted in a redoubling

of effort.

• It became expected throughout Jordan's life that a setback would cause a redoubling of effort.

• Jordan would try at least twice as hard after he encountered a failure of any kind all throughout his life.

• It became a pattern throughout Jordan's life to not let disappointment or any set back stop him.

How To Paraphrase

• Identify the main idea of the selection.

• Look up any unfamiliar words or phrases.

• Restate important ideas and details in your own words.

• If you can, flip the structure of the sentence by reversing the order.

Paraphrase Review

• Paraphrasing means using your own words to restate the ideas in a text. Paraphrasing helps you clarify the text's meaning. A paraphrase should be about as long as the original text.

• To paraphrase, first identify the main ideas and key details in the text. Next, identify and figure out any unfamiliar terms. Finally, restate the passage in your own words.

• Paraphrasing sources helps you avoid plagiarism, or taking credit for someone else's words or ideas.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a reason to paraphrase what you read?

• to avoid plagiarism

• to make sure you understand what you read

• to show that you can memorize text

• to help clarify text

Multiple Choice

Read the sentence in the box below. Then, answer the question to the right.

Volcanologists spend much of their time trying to decipher clues about Earth from rocks. Which choice below best paraphrases the sentence?

• Scientists study rocks and volcanoes to learn about volcanologists.

• Volcanologists spend a lot of their time trying to figure out clues about Earth from rocks.

• Volcanologists spend much of their time trying to decipher clues about Earth from rocks.

• Volcanologists, or scientists who study volcanoes, examine rocks for clues about our planet.