Unit 12.

3
Paraphrasing
Strategies to Avoid Plagiarism

Paraphrasing
• Paraphrasing means restating the ideas of the author using your
own words while keeping the length and meaning same.
• Paraphrasing should be used most frequently to avoid plagiarism.
• Paraphrased citations always acknowledge the original author.
Paraphrasing

• Paraphrasing is done using three techniques:

⮚ Using synonyms
⮚ Using a different word class of the key words
⮚ Changing the structure of the original sentence
Paraphrasing
Use of Synonyms
• Make sure that the synonym you choose represents the
meaning of the original word in its particular context.
Example:
Kindly don’t be insolent.
OR
Please don’t be disrespectful.
Paraphrasing
Changes in the Word Order
Changing the word order also allows us to effectively paraphrase a
sentence; you may have to add a word, subtract a word or change
the form of the word. However, this must be done carefully as this
affects the grammar of the sentence. 
Example
As languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more
widely used, there is a fear that many minority languages may die
out.

Paraphrased by changing word order: 

There is a fear that many minority languages may die out, as

languages such as Spanish, Chinese and English become more
widely used.
Paraphrasing
Changes in the word forms

There are many different forms of words including nouns, verbs,

adjectives and adverbs. Changing the form of a word allows you
change the grammar of a sentence.

For instance the word analyze, has different forms like analysis,
analyst analytical and analytically that may be used to paraphrase
the text effectively.
Paraphrasing
Words that need not be changed (it will not be plagiarism):

• nouns / noun phrases that we all use for specific things, e.g.
hospital, passport, processed food, residential area, chemical reaction

• specialized words within particular disciplines, e.g. cash, budget,

catalyst, relative humidity
 References
Bailey, S. (2015). Academic writing: A handbook for international students
(4th ed.). Routledge.

  Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Library. (n.d.). Cite. Retrieved April 23, 2020,
from http://library.utar.edu.my/gw_2013_2_8/html/default/en/2014/Cite.html