English for paraphrasing practice

Learning objective

By the end of this lesson you will be able to paraphrase academic ideas accurately, avoid patchwriting and cite the original source correctly.

What paraphrasing really means

Paraphrasing is not replacing words with synonyms. It is re-expressing an idea in a new structure while preserving its meaning. A good paraphrase shows that you understand the source well enough to explain it in your own way. If your version only changes a few words, it is not a paraphrase and may count as plagiarism.

A three-step method

First, read the original and put it aside. Second, explain the idea aloud as if to a classmate. Third, write down your explanation and compare it with the original. This method prevents you from copying the source sentence by sentence. If you cannot explain the idea without looking at the text, you need to read it again.

Changing structure, not just words

Focus on the organisation of the sentence. Change the order of information, combine or split sentences, and shift the emphasis. For example, an original sentence might present a cause first; your paraphrase might present the result first. Keep key terms that have no simple equivalent, but explain them in your own frame.

Avoiding patchwriting

Patchwriting happens when you keep the source structure and swap a few words. It is risky because it can be detected by plagiarism checkers and because it does not demonstrate understanding. If you find your draft looks very similar to the original, stop and re-explain the idea from memory before continuing.

Citing while paraphrasing

A paraphrase still needs a citation. The idea came from someone else, even if the words are yours. Use a signal phrase and a reference: "According to Lee (2023), ..." or "Research suggests that ... (Lee, 2023)." If you are unsure whether a phrase is common knowledge, cite it.

Common mistakes

• Replacing words without changing structure.
• Losing a limitation or condition from the original.
• Adding your own conclusion to a paraphrase.
• Forgetting to cite.
• Paraphrasing quotations that should be quoted exactly.

Practical tips

Practise with short academic sentences. Write two paraphrases of the same sentence and compare them. Ask a peer to identify the original source from your version; if they cannot, your paraphrase may have drifted too far. Keep a note of phrases you tend to overuse and vary them.

Summary

Accurate paraphrasing preserves meaning, changes structure, avoids patchwriting and includes proper citation.

Worked example

Original: "Regular feedback improves student confidence in academic writing." Paraphrase: "Students who receive feedback on a regular basis tend to feel more confident when writing academically, according to Lee (2023)." The paraphrase changes the structure, keeps the meaning and cites the source. It does not copy the original wording.

Practice task

Choose three sentences from a source you are reading. Paraphrase each one from memory, then compare with the original. Check that the meaning is unchanged, the structure is different and the citation is present. Revise any sentence that is too close to the original.

Further practice

Take a source paragraph and write three paraphrases: one that changes only structure, one that changes vocabulary, and one that changes both. Compare them for accuracy and readability. Choose the version that best fits your essay and cite the source. This shows that paraphrasing is a decision about emphasis, not just wording.

Extension

Paraphrase the same idea for two different audiences: a specialist and a beginner. Compare the two versions and note which terms you kept, simplified or explained. This shows that paraphrasing is also about audience, not only accuracy.

Related lessons

Continue with Paraphrasing without changing meaning, Supporting an idea with an example, and English for reading research summaries.