3.4 How to Paraphrase
Try using this four-step method for effective paraphrase writing:
Step 1: Read the original text in its context, until you understand it fully.
Trying to paraphrase information out of context can lead to misunderstanding and therefore misrepresenting the information. Before trying to paraphrase something, read the passage in context and write down its main idea. You might imagine that you are explaining the passage to a friend or family member.
Ask yourself questions like
- What are the author’s main points?
- What is their conclusion?
This can help you not only confirm your understanding of the text, but also figure out what “your own words” actually are.
Additionally, you should
- read the source material several times and take notes as you read;
- identify any words from the original that are essential terminology and cannot or should not be changed;
- check your understanding of any unfamiliar words and concepts in a dictionary.
Why did the baby boom happen? A likely explanation is that during those 20 years, Canadians knew they could afford large families. The postwar economy was robust, the future seemed full of promise, and young couples wanted to share that bright future with a big family. A second reason was the high immigration levels that prevailed during the 1950s. (Foot & Stoffman, 1996)
Step 2: Without looking at the original text, write a first draft of the paraphrase.
Step 3: Compare your paraphrase to the original passage to ensure it accurately conveys the ideas in your own words.
Ask yourself:
- Am I presenting the meaning of the passage accurately?
- Have I used exact wording from the original unnecessarily?
- Are there words or turns of phrase that are unique to the original that I want to retain and therefore must put in quotation marks?
| Original | Paraphrase – first draft
This paraphrase accurately captures the meaning of the original but contains language that is the same as or too similar to the original (see yellow highlighted language), so it does not constitute a successful paraphrase. |
| Why did the baby boom happen? A likely explanation is that during those 20 years, Canadians knew they could afford large families. The postwar economy was robust, the future seemed full of promise, and young couples wanted to share that bright future with a big family. A second reason was the high immigration levels that prevailed during the 1950s. (Foot & Stoffman, 1996) | The authors theorize that the baby boom likely happened for two main reasons: the postwar economy was healthy and full of promise and young couples who wanted a big family knew they would be able to afford it, and high immigration levels prevailed during the 1950s. |
Step 4: Revise the paraphrase if necessary. Integrate it into your assignment, making sure it is properly cited.
| Original | Paraphrase – first draft
Accurately captures the meaning of the original, but contains language that is the same as or too similar to the original, so does not constitute a successful paraphrase |
Paraphrase — final draft
Very strong! This paraphrase accurately captures the meaning of the original in different wording. |
| Why did the baby boom happen? A likely explanation is that during those 20 years, Canadians knew they could afford large families. The postwar economy was robust, the future seemed full of promise, and young couples wanted to share that bright future with a big family. A second reason was the high immigration levels that prevailed during the 1950s. (Foot & Stoffman, 1996) | Foot and Stoffman (1996) theorize that the baby boom likely happened for two main reasons: the postwar economy was healthy and full of promise and young couples who wanted a big family knew they would be able to afford it, and high immigration levels prevailed during the 1950s. | Foot and Stoffman (1996) theorize that there were two main reasons behind the baby boom: a healthy economy that made young Canadians feel optimistic and gave them the confidence that they would have the means to support the large family they desired, and immigration that remained consistently high. |
