What is paraphrasing?
Definition: Paraphrasing rewrites a source passage in fresh wording and structure that fits your audience and purpose. It is not a synonym swap. It must be accurate and typically must be cited.
Paraphrase vs. Quote vs. Summary:
- Paraphrase: same scope, new wording.
- Quote: same wording, quotation marks + citation.
- Summary: condensed key points in new wording (linking out: Paraphrase vs. Rewrite vs. Summarize).
Tone vs. Style vs. Mode
Writers often conflate these. Use them deliberately to match task requirements:
- Tone = attitude (e.g., formal, friendly, confident, apologetic). It shapes how readers feel.
- Style = expression norms (e.g., academic, business, casual, professional). It shapes expectations of format and precision.
- Mode = transformation type (e.g., standard, fluent, creative, academic, expand, shorten, grammar).
Choosing the right combination keeps your paraphrase faithful, readable, and appropriate to context (a lab report versus a product page demand different decisions).
A step-by-step paraphrasing workflow
- Read for meaning first. Ask: What is the claim? Evidence? Limitations?
- Note protected terms (names, formulas, jargon) you should not change.
- Close the source and write a plain-language restatement.
- Refine tone, style, and mode for your audience (e.g., formal + academic + shorten for abstracts).
- Compare to the source for accuracy and structure; adjust wording and syntax.
- Cite the source in the required format (APA, MLA, Chicago).
- Final polish: check grammar, cohesion, and flow.
- Did you change both wording and sentence structure?
- Did you keep protected terms accurate?
- Is meaning identical and cited?
- Does tone + style + mode match the assignment or brand?
Before-and-after examples
Source: “Widespread device usage after midnight correlates with reduced sleep quality and lower next-day executive function among adolescents.”
Academic tone, shorten mode: “Night-time device use is linked to poorer sleep and weaker next-day executive function in adolescents.”
Business style, confident tone: “Late-night screen time hurts teen sleep and next-day focus-limit usage after midnight.”
Tip: Keep the claim intact; vary syntax and diction to fit your audience.
Ethical use & citation
Paraphrasing strengthens your voice but never erases authorship. Always cite when paraphrasing someone else’s idea. In research writing, many journals also expect page numbers for close paraphrases. When using AI, treat outputs as drafts: verify claims, keep discipline-specific terminology, and add references.
Using an AI paraphrasing tool (the right way)
AI can speed up the wording stage, especially for tone shifts (formal → friendly), style alignment (business ↔ academic), and mode changes (expand, shorten). A good workflow:
- List protected words (people, terms, citations).
- Select tone, style, and mode appropriate to your task.
- Run a paraphrase, then review for accuracy and add sources.
- Use a highlight/diff view to ensure structure and claims are faithful.
SnipText’s Paraphrasing Tool lets you set protected words, rewrite strength, quality, and toggle modes (standard, fluent, creative, academic, expand, shorten, grammar) with a clean diff preview. It’s designed for clarity first-so you keep meaning and voice.
FAQ
- What is “tone” in paraphrasing and why does it matter?
- Tone is the writer’s attitude (e.g., formal, friendly, confident). Matching tone to context increases trust and readability-for example, formal for journals, friendly for onboarding docs.
- Is paraphrasing with AI allowed in academia?
- Policies vary. Many institutions allow support tools if you maintain authorship, verify accuracy, and cite original sources. Always check your syllabus or journal guidelines.
- How do I choose between expand and shorten modes?
- Use shorten for abstracts, meta descriptions, or tight word counts. Use expand to unpack dense claims into clearer steps or to add transitions-without adding new, unsupported content.
- What’s the fastest way to avoid plagiarism when paraphrasing?
- Close the source, restate the idea from memory, then reopen and compare for accuracy. Change structure, not just words, and add a citation. Protected words should remain unchanged.
Paraphrasing is a craft: align tone, style, and mode with your goals; preserve meaning; and cite appropriately. Use tools to accelerate-not replace-critical reading and source integrity.