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WritingJul 8, 20268 min read
How to Paraphrase in Academic Writing Without Losing the Source
A four-step paraphrasing method that keeps meaning accurate, citation visible, and your own argument in control.
#paraphrasing#plagiarism#notes
Paraphrasing is a thinking task
A paraphrase is not a thesaurus pass. It restates a source idea in your own sentence structure while preserving the meaning and citing the source.
Start by reading the passage, closing it, writing the idea from memory, and then checking the result against the original for accuracy.
- Keep technical terms when changing them would alter meaning.
- Change sentence structure, not just individual words.
- Cite the source even when no exact wording remains.
Use paraphrases to serve your argument
A good paraphrase should not sit alone. Introduce why the idea matters, cite it, and then explain how it advances your own claim.
If the original wording is unusually precise or important, quote briefly instead of forcing a weak paraphrase.
Put the guide to work
Draft with your sources visible.
Start a Thesion project, gather sources, and keep citations attached while you build the draft.