Here's a breakdown:
* Purpose: To make information easier to understand, to avoid plagiarism, or to fit a specific context.
* Method: You use different words and sentence structure to convey the same meaning as the original source.
* Key Points:
* Same meaning: You don't change the core message.
* Different words: You avoid using the same words and phrases from the original.
* Credit the source: You always acknowledge the original author or source.
Example:
Original text: "The sky was a brilliant blue, and the sun was shining brightly."
Paraphrase: "The clear, blue sky was illuminated by the sun's powerful rays."
Why is paraphrasing important?
* Understanding: Paraphrasing helps you to understand information better by forcing you to think about it and rephrase it in your own words.
* Avoiding plagiarism: Using someone else's exact words without proper attribution is plagiarism. Paraphrasing allows you to use other people's ideas while still giving credit to the original source.
* Adapting information: You can tailor information to your specific audience or purpose by paraphrasing.
Important Note: While paraphrasing is helpful, remember that it should never change the original meaning. Always carefully compare your paraphrase to the original text to ensure that you've accurately captured the information.