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How to Paraphrase Without Plagiarising

Express a source in your own words and structure — and still credit the original.

6 min read · Written by UK academic writers

Paraphrasing well shows that you understand your sources, and it is far more impressive to a marker than stacking quotations. Done badly, though, it becomes plagiarism. This guide shows you how to do it right.

Understand Before You Rewrite

You cannot paraphrase what you do not understand. Read the passage until you can explain it to someone else, then write from that understanding rather than from the original wording.

Put the Source Away

A reliable technique is to close the source and write the idea from memory in your own words. Then check back for accuracy. This stops you echoing the original phrasing.

Change Words and Structure

Effective paraphrasing changes both vocabulary and sentence structure, not just synonyms. Reorder ideas, combine or split sentences, and use your own natural voice.

• Weak: swap a few words, keep the sentence shape
• Strong: rebuild the idea in your own structure
• Always check you have not distorted the meaning

Always Cite the Source

Even a perfect paraphrase needs a citation, because the idea belongs to the original author. Paraphrasing changes the words, not the ownership of the idea.

Avoid AI Spinning Tools

Automated paraphrasers often produce awkward or inaccurate text and can trigger misconduct concerns. Paraphrasing in your own words also deepens your understanding, which helps in exams.

Frequently Asked Questions

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