How to Write a Killer Paraphrase

1. Paraphrasing

2. What is Paraphrasing?
When you paraphrase, you restate the
author’s main idea in your own words. The
words are changed, but the meaning stays
the same.

3. What is Paraphrasing?
When you paraphrase, you restate the
author’s main idea in your own words. The
words are changed, but the meaning stays
the same.
Original
The Antarctic
seals, however, after almost
extinct, have made an
astonishing comeback, and
the population is now
rapidly increasing.

4. What is Paraphrasing?
When you paraphrase, you restate the
author’s main idea in your own words. The
words are changed, but the meaning stays
the same.
Original Paraphrase
The Antarctic After almost dying
seals, however, after almost out, Antarctic seals make a
extinct, have made an big comeback.
astonishing comeback, and
the population is now
rapidly increasing.

5. Why do we paraphrase?
 Make Marginal Notes

6. Why do we paraphrase?
 Make Marginal Notes
 Test Comprehension

7. Why do we paraphrase?
 Make Marginal Notes
 Test Comprehension
 Create Study Guides

8. Why do we paraphrase?
 Make Marginal Notes
 Test Comprehension
 Create Study Guides
 Prevent Plagiarism

9. What Makes a Good
Paraphrase?
 It sticks with the topic.

10. What Makes a Good
Paraphrase?
 It sticks with the topic.
 It is written in your own words.

11. What Makes a Good
Paraphrase?
 It sticks with the topic.
 It is written in your own words.
 It is clear and easily understood.

12. What Makes a Good
Paraphrase?
 It sticks with the topic.
 It is written in your own words.
 It is clear and easily understood.
 It is focused on the main idea, not the minor
details.

13. What Makes a Good
Paraphrase?
 It sticks with the topic.
 It is written in your own words.
 It is clear and easily understood.
 It is focused on the main idea, not the minor
details.
 It remains true to the content.

14. How Can I Write a Good
Paraphrase?
 First, ask yourself, “What is the writer saying
about the topic?” This will help you find the
main idea.
 Second, figure out which words can be
paraphrased and which can’t.
 Third, look away from the original text. This will
help you find new words to describe the main
idea.
 Fourth, write it down clearly! Make sure you
can understand it later on.

15. Where Can I Learn More?
 Reading for Results by Laraine Flemming:
pages 204-210.
 Reading Across the Disciplines by Kathleen T.
McWhorter: pages 199-203.