Glossary
Paraphrasing
Restating someone else's ideas in your own words while preserving the original meaning.
Definition
Paraphrasing is the practice of restating information, ideas, or arguments from a source in your own words rather than quoting directly. A good paraphrase captures the meaning and essence of the original while expressing it in a completely new sentence structure and vocabulary. Paraphrasing must still include a citation to the original source.
Why It Matters
Paraphrasing is a fundamental academic and journalistic skill that allows writers to incorporate external information while maintaining their own voice and avoiding verbatim copying. In SEO content, paraphrasing is used to synthesize information from multiple sources into original, value-added articles.
Examples
Original text'Regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease by 35%.' (Source: study)
Good paraphrase'People who exercise regularly are significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular conditions, according to research.' (+ citation)
Poor paraphrase (too close)'Regular physical activity reduces the chance of heart disease by approximately 35%.' — still requires quotes + citation
Common Mistakes
Paraphrasing without citing the source.
Changing only a few words and calling it a paraphrase — this is patchwork plagiarism.
Paraphrasing inaccurately — distorting the original meaning.
Over-relying on paraphrasing instead of developing original analysis.