How can you paraphrase without losing your own voice?

1 Understand the source

Before you attempt to paraphrase, you need to fully understand the source material. Read it carefully, identify the main points, arguments, and evidence, and note down any key terms or phrases. Try to grasp the author's purpose, tone, and perspective, and how they relate to your own. You can also use tools like dictionaries, thesauruses, or online paraphrasing generators to help you find synonyms or alternative ways of expressing the same meaning.

2 Rewrite in your own words

Once you have a clear idea of what the source says, you can start rewriting it in your own words. Avoid copying any words or phrases from the source, unless they are technical terms or quotations. Use your own vocabulary, sentence structure, and style, and make sure you convey the same message as the source. You can also add your own examples, explanations, or comments, as long as they are relevant and consistent with the source.

3 Compare and revise

After you have rewritten the source, you need to compare your paraphrase with the original and check for accuracy, clarity, and originality. Make sure you have not changed the meaning, omitted any important information, or added any false or misleading details. Also, make sure you have not used any words or phrases that are too similar to the source, or that sound unnatural or awkward in your own voice. If you find any problems, revise your paraphrase until you are satisfied with it.

4 Cite the source

The final and most important step in paraphrasing is to cite the source. You need to acknowledge the author and the publication where you found the information, and provide a reference according to the citation style you are using. This will help you avoid plagiarism and show respect for the intellectual property of others. Citing the source will also allow your readers to verify your claims and find more information on the topic.

5 Practice and improve

Paraphrasing is a skill that requires practice and improvement. You can improve your paraphrasing skills by reading a lot of different sources on your topic, comparing different ways of expressing the same idea, and writing summaries or notes of what you read. You can also ask for feedback from your peers, tutors, or online services, and learn from your mistakes. The more you practice, the more confident and fluent you will become in paraphrasing without losing your own voice.

6 Benefits of paraphrasing

Paraphrasing has many benefits for academic writing. It can help you demonstrate your understanding of the topic, improve your critical thinking and analytical skills, and develop your own voice and style. It can also help you avoid repetition, enhance your arguments, and support your claims with evidence from credible sources. Paraphrasing can also make your writing more engaging, clear, and concise for your readers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?