What does it mean when asked to paraphrase a article? Do I use my own words or the authors words?
To paraphrase means to put all the author's words and ideas into your own wording, keeping the same emphasis and order of ideas.
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Using your own words to express the author's ideas (paraphrasing) indicates that you really understand what the author was saying. It requires more effort than quoting, but it increases your understanding.
Paraphrasing means putting it into your own words.
When you are asked to paraphrase an article, it means you need to restate its content in your own words while retaining the original meaning and ideas. Paraphrasing is commonly used to avoid plagiarism and to demonstrate your understanding of someone else's work.
To paraphrase an article effectively, follow these steps:
1. Read the article thoroughly: Understand the main ideas, arguments, and supporting details presented by the author.
2. Take notes: While reading, jot down key points and any important facts or statistics that you might want to include in your paraphrase.
3. Put the article aside: Once you've grasped the key points, set the article aside and refrain from looking at it directly while paraphrasing. This will help you avoid unintentionally copying the original wording.
4. Use your own words: Without referring to the original article, express the main ideas and points in your own language and writing style. Focus on conveying the information in a clear and concise manner, while remaining faithful to the original meaning.
5. Compare your paraphrase to the original: After you've finished paraphrasing, read the original article again. Compare your paraphrased version with the original text to ensure you haven't inadvertently repeated the author's phrasing or used their specific terminology.
Remember that paraphrasing does not mean simply replacing a few words with synonyms. Instead, you should reframe the content, reorganize sentences, and put the information in your own words. Properly paraphrasing an article showcases your comprehension of the topic and respects the original author's work.