The Art of Paraphrasing: Avoiding Plagiarism

Paraphrasing is one of the most valuable skills in academic writing. It allows you to use ideas from published research while expressing them in your own voice and maintaining academic integrity. When done well, paraphrasing shows that you understand the material, helps you build stronger arguments, and ensures you avoid plagiarism.

Below is a practical guide to mastering paraphrasing using seven simple steps. Each step includes tips and examples to help you apply the technique with confidence.

Why Paraphrasing Matters

Plagiarism isn’t only about copying text word for word. It also includes borrowing ideas or sentence structures without proper acknowledgment. Paraphrasing helps you avoid this by transforming the original idea into your own expression—while still giving credit to the original author.

Seven Steps for Successful Paraphrasing

1. Read the original a few times

Start by reading the passage until you clearly understand its meaning. You can’t paraphrase well if the idea is still unclear.

Example (original text written for demonstration):
“Effective online learning depends on the ability of students to stay motivated and manage their time well.” (Patel, 2020, p. 45)

2. Put the original passage aside – don’t look at it

Close the book or minimize the screen. This prevents you from copying the structure or vocabulary.

3. Take some notes on the main ideas from memory

Jot down only the key points. For the example above, your notes may look like:

• Online learning success
• Needs motivation
• Requires time management

4. Write your paraphrase – try rearranging ideas in a different order

Turn your notes into a complete sentence using your own style and flow.

Possible paraphrase:
Students succeed in online courses when they stay motivated and organize their study schedules effectively.

5. Check your paraphrase with the original

Compare your version with the source to make sure:

• You didn’t copy phrases accidentally
• You preserved the original meaning
• The sentence structure is different

6. If any phrases are identical to the original, rephrase or put quotation marks around them

If a phrase appears the same as in the original text, change it. If the wording is essential, quote it.

Example of proper use of quotation marks:
Patel (2020) emphasized that successful online learning requires students to “stay motivated and manage their time well” (p. 45).

7. Cite your source according to your required style

Even after paraphrasing, you must cite the source. In APA 7th edition, that means including an in-text citation.

APA 7 paraphrase citation example:
Online learners perform better when they remain motivated and manage their study time effectively (Patel, 2020).

Putting It All Together: A Complete Paraphrasing Example (APA 7)

Original passage (created for illustration):

“Public libraries play a crucial role in reducing inequality by offering free access to information, technology, and learning opportunities.” (Singh, 2019, p. 12)

Effective paraphrase:

According to Singh (2019), public libraries help narrow social gaps by providing open access to information resources, digital tools, and educational programs.

APA reference example:

Singh, R. (2019). Libraries and social equity. Horizon Press.

(Note: This is an illustrative reference for practice.)

Final Thoughts

Paraphrasing isn’t about replacing words with synonyms. It’s about truly understanding the author’s ideas and expressing them in your own way while giving proper credit. With the seven steps above, you can write confidently, protect yourself from plagiarism, and strengthen the quality of your research.