Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Paraphrasing is the act of restating someone else's words or ideas in your own words, while maintaining the original meaning. It helps to clarify and simplify complex information.
Related terms
Summarizing: Summarizing involves condensing the main points of a text or speech into a shorter version, capturing the key ideas without including all the details.
Quoting: Quoting involves directly using someone else's exact words within quotation marks, usually when you want to emphasize their specific phrasing or argument.
Plagiarism refers to using someone else's work or ideas without giving proper credit. It is important to avoid plagiarism by properly paraphrasing and citing sources.