Paraphrase and credit
The idea
Paraphrasing restates an idea using your own sentence structure and vocabulary while preserving its meaning. Changing a few words is not enough. Attribution remains necessary because the idea came from another source. Separate your interpretation from the source’s claim.
Worked example
If a source says evaporation transfers water into the atmosphere, a paraphrase might explain that liquid water becomes vapor and enters the air. Record the source title and location so a reader can check the explanation.
Another application
Keep separate notebook columns for copied words, paraphrased ideas, and your own analysis. Put copied text in quotation marks immediately; this prevents confusing borrowed wording with your own draft later.
A common misunderstanding
Replacing words one by one can preserve the source’s structure too closely. A good paraphrase starts from understanding and still credits the source.
Try it yourself
Read a short paragraph, close it, and explain its meaning from memory. Reopen it to check accuracy. Add the author or organization, title, date if available, and link.
Check your understanding
Does paraphrasing remove the need to cite?
Reveal the explained answer
No. Borrowed ideas still need attribution.