Research and Documentation

Guidelines for Effective Paraphrasing
(from New Century Handbook, 211)

Of course, paraphrasing adequately may be the most difficult, and commonly violated, aspect of effective source use. The bottom line with paraphrases is that the ideas are the source's (so they must be cited), but the words are yours (so they must be yours!). Changing a word or three or eliminating part of a sentence or sentences does not constitute adequate paraphrase. The following are some suggestions for paraphrasing your source material effectively.

 

1) Place the information in a new order

2) Break the complex ideas into smaller units

3) Use concrete, direct vocabulary in place of technical jargon

4) Use synonyms for words in the source

5) Accompany each important fact or idea in your notes with the source page number

6) Incorporate the paraphrase smoothly into the grammar and style of your own writing