Top Tips for Effective Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is a key skill in academic writing. Here are some tips to help you paraphrase effectively:
- Identify key ideas and replace them with synonyms—use a dictionary if needed.
- Change the part of speech where possible (e.g., 'decline' to 'to decline').
- Rephrase using your notes while altering grammar structures.
- Clarify unfamiliar terms by guessing and verifying their meanings.
- Ensure a full understanding of the text before rewriting it.
- Summarize the main idea of the text in a single sentence.
- Highlight or underline key points to focus your paraphrasing.
- Rewrite notes in your own words to ensure originality.
- Skim the text for a general understanding before starting.
By following these tips, you can effectively paraphrase and avoid plagiarism while ensuring your work is original.