Paraphrasing is summarizing someone else's original ideas or findings in your own words. Use paraphrasing to avoid excessive use of quotations or to combine multiple ideas or findings into a single sentence.
Always cite the ideas or findings of others even when paraphrasing them in your own words. It is plagiarism to paraphrase someone else's ideas or findings without giving them credit.
Example of a Paraphrase
Quote:
"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." (Kennedy, Inaugural Address, 1961)
Paraphrase:
Kennedy advised us to give back to our country, not just take from it. (1961, Inaugural Address)
Successful vs. Unsuccessful ParaphrasesUniversity of Wisconsin Madison - Writing Center Examples, red-letter highlights, and explanations. See right-side navigation links to find more help.