Here's how to paraphrase effectively:
1. Read the source carefully: Understand the main idea and the supporting details.
2. Put the source away: Don't look at it while you write your paraphrase.
3. Write the information in your own words: Use different vocabulary and sentence structure.
4. Check for accuracy: Ensure your paraphrase accurately reflects the original source's meaning.
5. Cite the source: Even though you're not directly quoting, you must still give credit to the original author by providing a citation.
Example:
Original source: "Climate change is a significant threat to the global environment, causing rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss."
Paraphrased version: The Earth's climate is changing, resulting in negative impacts such as increased sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and a decline in biodiversity.
Note: When paraphrasing, it's important to avoid simply changing a few words in the original sentence. The paraphrase should be a completely new expression of the information.