Paraphrasing: A Synonym Costume Is Still the Same Sentence
You read an article for class, open your document, and replace “important” with “significant.” Congratulations: the sentence has changed its hat. Paraphrasing takes more than swapping a few words while keeping the original sentence underneath.
Start here
A paraphrase communicates a source’s idea accurately in your own wording and sentence structure. You still credit the source. A quotation uses the original wording with quotation marks and a citation. A summary condenses a larger discussion to its main points.
Practice with a made-up notice
Original example written for this lesson: “The campus library will close at 6 p.m. on Friday because staff members are attending training.” You might tell a classmate, “Staff training means we need to finish at the library before six this Friday.” The schedule and reason remain; the wording and structure change.
Watch the meaning
“The library closes early every Friday” is not an accurate paraphrase. The notice identifies one Friday, not a permanent schedule. “The library is short-staffed” adds a reason the notice did not give. A polished sentence can still misrepresent the source.
Try it
Paraphrase this original practice sentence: “Students must upload the reflection before Monday’s class and bring one discussion question.” Keep every requirement, but explain it in a different structure.
Check your answer
One option: “Before class on Monday, submit your reflection online; come prepared with a question for discussion.” It keeps the deadline, submission method, and extra task. Many accurate versions are possible.
Level up: use sources responsibly
Read until you understand, look away, draft your explanation, then compare it with the original. Check missing qualifiers, quantities, and exceptions. When using a real source in academic work, add the citation your assignment requires; changed wording does not make the underlying idea yours.
Save this
Read → look away → explain → check meaning → cite. If a distinctive phrase needs to stay exactly as written, quote and credit it. A thesaurus is a tool, not a witness-protection program for sentences.
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