Proper vs. Improper Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is an essential skill in writing as it allows you to express someone else’s ideas in your own words. However, there is a fine line between proper and improper paraphrasing. If done correctly, paraphrasing can enhance your work, make it more engaging, and help you avoid plagiarism.

But in some cases, it can lead to unintended plagiarism, misrepresentation of ideas, or even distortion of the original meaning. That’s why knowing the difference between proper and improper paraphrasing techniques is important to ensure that your writing remains ethical and authentic.

This blog will discuss the factors that set proper paraphrasing apart from improper paraphrasing. Moreover, we will explore how this technique can be employed in the writing process to eliminate plagiarism. So, read on to learn more!

Proper Paraphrasing

Proper paraphrasing involves rewriting content to reflect the original meaning while using your own words and structure. This type of paraphrasing is not just about tweaking a few things. Instead, it involves thoroughly understanding the message and expressing it freshly.

This is a legitimate way to add ideas, research findings, or statistics to your content. Moreover, proper paraphrasing includes appropriate citations to ensure that credit is given to the source. This approach prevents plagiarism and strengthens your work by backing it up with credible references.

Original Text:

Patience and practice are the most important factors when learning a new skill. Regardless of the skill, you have to make a continuous effort, as progress is not instant. Each attempt brings you closer to improvement. You can grow in skill only if you combine your efforts with a willingness to learn from mistakes.

Proper Paraphrasing:

If you want to learn a new skill, you must dedicate time and effort. It does not matter how easy or hard the skill is; practice and patience will make you a master. Every step towards this goal will make you stronger and better in that domain. Moreover, you have to learn from your mistakes to become a master.

In this paragraph, the content is paraphrased but the intent is the same. The sentence structure and wording is altered to create an entirely new text.

(Note: You can use an online paraphrasing tool for proper paraphrasing.)

Improper Paraphrasing

A paraphrasing technique in which the outlook of the original content is not altered or the meaning is changed is termed improper paraphrasing. This happens when only a few words are swapped with synonyms, while the sentence structure and key phrases remain the same. It results in writing that still closely resembles the original source, which is seen as a form of plagiarism.

Improper paraphrasing can also happen when the main idea is not understood completely or misrepresented. In such cases, the rephrased content differs from the original intent in context. This may lead to confusion or distortion of the message. Improper paraphrasing compromises both the content's integrity and the writer's credibility.

Original Text:

Communication is an important skill for connecting with anyone. Knowing how to talk to a friend, colleague, or target audience can make all the difference. Your tone, language, and communication medium can help ensure your message is clear and impactful.

Improper Paraphrasing:

Communication is an essential skill for talking to people. Knowing how to talk to friends, family, colleagues, or your target audience can make a difference. You must adjust the tone, language, and communication medium to ensure your message is clear and impactful.

In this example, only a few changes are made to the text. Such a type of paraphrasing is plagiarism.

Key Differences Between Proper and Improper Paraphrasing

Here is a quick comparison table that shows the traits of both paraphrasing techniques. 

How to Paraphrase Text without Plagiarizing?

In order to add content in your writing without facing consequences of plagiarism, you have to follow the right approach. You can follow these tips to paraphrase properly.

Read and Comprehend the Original Text

Before paraphrasing, it is important to understand the source material fully. Read through it carefully and make sure you get the main idea. Without this step, you may unintentionally copy too much of the original structure or wording.

Take Notes

One way to avoid copying the source is to take brief notes afterward. This allows you to focus on the general meaning without getting stuck on the exact wording used in the original piece. You can also provide a broad implication of the same idea.

Use Your Own Words and Sentence Structure

As we have discussed, paraphrasing is not about making a few changes in the text. You have to rewrite the information in your language. In this way, you will be able to change both the words and the structure of the sentences.

Avoid Using Too Many Direct Phrases

It is fine to use specific terms (subject related to the field) or common phrases. However, avoiding overusing the same wording as the original text is necessary. If a particular phrase is essential, use quotation marks and cite the source directly.

Cite the Source Appropriately

Even though you are rephrasing the content, it is important to credit the original author. This can be done by citing the source in your text or including a reference at the end. Proper citation is crucial in avoiding plagiarism and maintaining academic integrity.

Compare with the Original

After paraphrasing, check your version against the original text to ensure that it is significantly different in wording and structure while preserving the meaning. If your version is too close to the original, it may still be considered plagiarism. You can utilize the plagiarism checker to be on the safer side. It will check your content against millions of websites to identify any instances of plagiarism.

Wrap Up

Paraphrasing skill is essential for any writer, student, or professional looking to communicate ideas effectively without committing plagiarism. They need to learn the proper way to paraphrase the content. Proper paraphrasing reflects your understanding of the text and allows you to present information in a fresh and original way.

Remember, paraphrasing is about respecting the ideas of others while contributing your voice to the conversation. You can paraphrase confidently with careful attention to detail and the right techniques.