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Paraphrasing Tool
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Julia holds multiple degrees in Linguistics, Language and speech pathology, and Dutch language and culture. After a few years as a researcher, teacher, and academic editor, she now helps students and professionals all around the world with articles about grammar, language, and academic writing.

Julia Merkus
Author
Paraphrasing is rewording information using different vocabulary and sentence structure while maintaining the original meaning. When you paraphrase, you must always credit the original source.
Paraphrasing is very useful when you want to include information from other sources without relying too heavily on quotations. It is used frequently in academic and professional writing and in everyday situations.
Paraphrase example
Original Text | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
Exercise offers myriad benefits that extend beyond physical fitness. Regular physical activity enhances cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and bones, and improves flexibility and balance, reducing the risk of injury. Mentally, exercise is a powerful stress reliever, promoting the release of endorphins that boost mood and combat anxiety and depression. Additionally, it can enhance cognitive function, improve sleep quality, and increase energy levels throughout the day. | Exercise has many benefits, even beyond getting in shape. Consistent physical activity increases bone and muscle strength, enhances balance and flexibility, and improves heart health. On the mental health side, exercise produces endorphins, which improve mood, relieve stress, and fight depression and anxiety. Physical activity can also lead to higher energy, improved brain function, and better sleep (Ligon 2022). |
A paraphrasing tool can help you paraphrase texts more quickly and easily.
To paraphrase a quote from another source, you should put it into your own words by using different vocabulary and sentence structure. Be sure to maintain the meaning of the original source and include a citation.
Writing that is full of quotations can be difficult to read and can seem unoriginal. So, it is often a good idea to paraphrase rather than quoting, especially when the quotation is long or does not use particularly interesting phrasing.
Each citation style guide has different rules for how to cite a paraphrase. The major style guides (including APA, MLA, and Chicago) require both in-text citations and a separate reference that includes all the publication information.
Basically, you want readers to know that the ideas or information came from another source and how they can find that source.
To paraphrase in MLA style, all paraphrases should include an in-text citation that includes the author’s last name and the page number of the original material in parentheses.
The only difference between a paraphrase and a quotation is the presence of quotation marks. The citations are the same.
As in every style, paraphrased material should preserve the meaning of the original while being sufficiently different in both vocabulary and syntax.
MLA paraphrase example
Original Text | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
Second language learning is a multifaceted process that involves not just the acquisition of vocabulary and grammar, but also an understanding of cultural nuances and social contexts. Engaging with a new language can enhance cognitive abilities, improve memory, and foster greater empathy by exposing learners to different perspectives. Methods such as immersion, interactive practice, and technology-driven resources can significantly enrich the experience, making it both enjoyable and effective. | Learning a second language is a complex process that includes comprehending social settings and cultural norms in addition to vocabulary and grammar. There are many benefits of learning a second language, including increased cognitive skills and memory. Additionally, through exposure to a variety of viewpoints, learners can develop more empathy. Practice techniques using technology, interaction, and immersion can make the learning process more fun and successful (Palomares 267). |
To paraphrase in APA Style, any paraphrased material should be accompanied by a parenthetical in-text citation that includes the author’s last name and the publication date.
While quotations in APA Style require a page number in the in-text citation, paraphrases typically do not.
APA paraphrase example
Original Text | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
The use of technology in second language learning has revolutionized the way learners engage with new languages. Language learning apps, online courses, and interactive platforms provide instant access to vocabulary exercises, pronunciation practice, and cultural content, enabling learners to study at their own pace. Virtual reality and language exchange platforms facilitate immersive experiences and real-time conversations with native speakers, enhancing practical language skills. Additionally, gamification elements in educational software make learning more engaging and motivating. | Technology has transformed the way people acquire a second language. Learners can study at their own speed with various online platforms and apps that offer immediate access to practice resources for pronunciation and vocabulary as well as cultural aspects. Platforms that allow for synchronous conversations with native speakers or use virtual reality to immerse learners in another world allow users to develop their real-world language skills. Furthermore, the gamification involved in these tools makes learners more interested and motivated to continue (Palomares, 2022). |
To paraphrase a paragraph, you can follow these steps:
Read through the entire paragraph to make sure you understand its meaning.
Write out a paraphrase of the source in your own words without looking at the original source.
Compare your paraphrased paragraph to the original source. Are your word choice and sentence structure different from the original? You may need to use more synonyms or alter the order of information.
Make sure that your paraphrase has the same meaning as the original paragraph.
Include an in-text citation based on your style guide.
A paraphrasing tool can make this process much easier. You can use the tool to complete step 2 and then customize its output to match your style.
When paraphrasing a poem for an academic assignment, you should rewrite the poem in prose form. The structure and the vocabulary should be changed while maintaining the overall themes and mood.
Poetry paraphrase example
Original Poem | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower; But only so an hour. Then leaf subsides to leaf. So Eden sank to grief, So dawn goes down to day. Nothing gold can stay. —“Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost | In “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” Robert Frost uses a series of four rhyming couplets to explain that all good things are fleeting. He describes that, in nature, green shoots begin as a gold color, and all leaves begin as tiny flowers. However, this stage does not last, much as the paradise of Eden did not last and a sunrise is fleeting. |
Paraphrasing a poem is more difficult than paraphrasing prose because the word choice and structure are often essential to the meaning of the poem. So, often it is best to include short quotations from the poem itself rather than relying entirely on paraphrase.
A useful creative writing exercise is paraphrasing a poem line by line, maintaining the structure (and sometimes even the rhyme scheme) of the original poem while using synonyms.
Paraphrasing a sentence is similar to paraphrasing a paragraph. You should change both the individual words and the structure of the sentence. If you find that this is difficult to do (e.g., if the sentence uses a lot of technical words that cannot be replaced with synonyms), you may want to quote the sentence instead.
A paraphrasing tool can be very helpful in paraphrasing individual sentences.
Paraphrasing sentences (APA) examples
Original Sentence | Paraphrase |
|---|---|
Learning a second language through immersion is one of the most effective and enriching methods available. | Of the various methods to learn a second language, immersion is one of the most rewarding and efficient (Palomares, 2022). |
Critics argue that the electoral college creates disparities in voting power across states and can discourage voter participation in states deemed "safe" for one party. | Critics of the electoral college system claim that it can decrease voter participation in states that reliably have a one-party majority and cause voting inequity among states (Wilkes, 2024). |
In order to avoid plagiarism when paraphrasing, you need to do two things:
Make sure your paraphrased text is significantly different from the original text in both vocabulary and sentence structure.
Include a citation indicating where the original information came from.
Many people commit accidental plagiarism because they forget to cite the original source. Even if you are not quoting a source directly, you still need to let the reader know that the ideas are not your own.
In this article
How to Paraphrase - Explanation & Examples
How to paraphrase a quote
How to cite a paraphrase
How to paraphrase in MLA
How to paraphrase in APA
How to paraphrase a paragraph
How to paraphrase a poem
How to paraphrase a sentence
How to paraphrase without plagiarizing
Frequently asked questions about how to paraphrase
You can start a paraphrase with a signal phrase that indicates that the information came from a particular source. Examples of signal phrases include:
According to Smith,
Smith argues that
Researchers have found that
Professor Elaine Smith claims
These are all examples of narrative citations. The specific style guide you are using will have guidelines for how to format a narrative citation.
It is also fine to just start with the paraphrased material and include a citation at the end.
You can introduce a paraphrase with a narrative citation that explains where the information came from. These narrative citations typically begin with signal phrases, such as the following:
Juan Alcala asserts that
According to Alcala,
In a previous study, Alcala found that
Different style guides have different requirements about how to format these narrative citations.
To paraphrase a website, you should put the information in your own words and then include a citation indicating where the information came from.
Different style guides have different requirements for citing a website. Typically, the in-text citation will include at minimum the author or organization’s name. The full reference typically includes the author, date, page title, organization, and URL.
To paraphrase ChatGPT, you can rephrase its output in your own words, changing the sentence structure and vocabulary with a ChatGPT rewriter. A paraphrasing tool can help you with this process.
When writing in an academic or professional context, you should check your institution’s guidelines about use of ChatGPT. You may need to acknowledge its use, especially if you have relied heavily on it in your writing.
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