Paraphrase is the restatement of a source’s ideas in the writer’s own words. Unlike a direct quotation, which reproduces exact language, and a summary, which compresses the main point, a paraphrase follows the source’s argument in detail but translates it into different language and sentence structure.
Paraphrase serves three functions in essay writing:
- Integration. Paraphrase lets the writer weave source material into their own argument without the disruption of a block quote. The essay maintains a consistent voice while drawing on others’ ideas.
- Demonstration of understanding. A writer who can accurately paraphrase a source has understood it. A paraphrase that distorts the original reveals miscomprehension. This is why paraphrase is more demanding than quotation — quotation can hide behind the source’s words; paraphrase cannot.
- Analysis. Paraphrase is often the first step toward analysis. By restating the source’s argument, the writer makes it available for evaluation: “Smith argues that X. But this claim depends on an assumption that…”
The most common paraphrase failure is surface substitution — replacing a few words with synonyms while keeping the source’s sentence structure. “The economy experienced significant growth” paraphrased as “the economy experienced major expansion” is not paraphrase; it is inadequate quotation. Genuine paraphrase requires restructuring the sentence and reconceiving the idea in the writer’s own terms.
Paraphrase always requires attribution. The writer who paraphrases without citing the source has committed plagiarism — the ideas remain the source’s even when the words are the writer’s.
Related terms
- evidence — paraphrase is one way to present evidence from sources
- analysis — paraphrase often precedes analytical commentary
- signal phrase — introduces the paraphrase and attributes it
- synthesis — paraphrasing multiple sources is a step toward synthesis