How to Paraphrase and Summarize

Copying and pasting is easy, but it’s also plagiarism. Paraphrasing and summarizing are critical academic skills. They show you don’t just *find* information; you *understand* it.

This guide is your resource for how to paraphrase and summarize. We’ll cover *why* it’s important (Macro Context) and the *process* for doing it (Micro Context). This skill is the best way to maintain academic integrity.

What is Paraphrasing?

Paraphrasing is restating someone else’s idea in your own words and sentence structure. A good paraphrase maintains the original meaning but isn’t “patchwritten”—it doesn’t just swap words. It is a complete restatement.

Paraphrasing vs. Quoting

You should paraphrase most of the time. Only use direct quotes when the author’s original words are so powerful or unique that they cannot be changed. Paraphrasing shows comprehension; quoting shows you can copy. Learn more at our guide to integrating evidence.

Paraphrasing vs. Summarizing

This is the key difference:

• A Paraphrase restates a specific passage (a sentence or paragraph) in your words. It is usually about the same length as the original.
• A Summary restates the main ideas of an entire article or book in your words. It is always much shorter than the original.

Why is This Skill Essential?

As Purdue OWL explains, paraphrasing is a vital skill. It lets you use sources to build your argument without your paper becoming a “quilt” of other people’s words.

1. To Avoid Plagiarism

This is the primary reason. Copying an author’s text *or* sentence structure without citation is plagiarism. Using an author’s *idea* without citation is also plagiarism. Paraphrasing correctly (and citing) is the only way to avoid plagiarism.

2. To Show Comprehension

To paraphrase correctly, you must first understand the idea. Your professor can tell when you don’t. A good paraphrase proves to your professor that you have read and *processed* the research, not just copied it.

3. To Integrate Evidence Smoothly

Paraphrasing allows you to weave an author’s idea directly into your own sentence. This creates a smoother, persuasive paper. It keeps your *voice* at the center of the paper, using sources for support. This is a key part of writing a strong paragraph.

How to Paraphrase: A 5-Step Process

A good paraphrase is a restatement. Follow this 5-step process.

Read the original passage 2-3 times. Understand its meaning. If you can’t explain it to a friend, read it again.

This is the most important rule. Close the book, cover the text, or close the browser tab. This frees your brain from the author’s original sentence structure.

From memory, write the idea in your own words. Imagine explaining it to a classmate. This ensures the paraphrase is in your natural voice.

Now, open the original text and compare it to your paraphrase. Ask two questions:

1. Did I maintain the original meaning?
2. Did I use my own words and sentence structure?

If you used more than 2-3 unique words (besides key terms) from the original, you are “patchwriting.” You must revise it.

This is non-negotiable. Even though the words are yours, the *idea* is not. You must add an in-text citation (e.g., (Smith, 2023)) at the end of your paraphrased sentence. Failure to do so is plagiarism.

Paraphrasing Examples (Weak vs. Strong)

Let’s look at a real example.

Original Text

“The process of ‘patchwriting,’ in which students copy from a source text and then delete or change a few words and substitute synonyms, is a common but dangerous form of plagiarism that often stems from a lack of confidence.” (Smith, 2023, p. 12)

Weak Paraphrase (Patchwriting)

This is plagiarism. It just swaps words and copies the sentence structure.

“A dangerous form of plagiarism called ‘patchwriting’ is when students copy a text and then change some words or use synonyms. This is common and comes from a lack of confidence.” (Smith, 2023, p. 12)

Strong Paraphrase

This is good. It cites the source, uses a signal phrase, and restates the idea in a new structure and voice.

According to Smith (2023), students who “patchwrite”—or copy a passage while only changing a few words—are engaging in a serious form of plagiarism. This is not always malicious, as it often originates from the student’s own lack of confidence in their writing.

How to Summarize an Article

A summary is shorter than a paraphrase and covers an *entire* work. As university guides explain, the goal is to “briefly give the reader the main points.”

1. Read the Abstract, Intro, and Conclusion: This is where the author states their thesis and main findings.
2. Identify the Main Arguments: Read the topic sentences of each body paragraph.
3. Draft a One-Sentence Summary: State the author’s main thesis in one sentence.
4. Write a Short Paragraph: Write 3-5 sentences that cover the thesis, the 2-3 main supporting points, and the conclusion.

Common Paraphrasing Pitfalls

Avoid these common mistakes: