When writing an article, people refer to the work of previously published articles. They either paraphrase the existing idea or cite that idea to avoid plagiarism. However, in the realm of academia, the line between plagiarism and paraphrasing is not clear and can be blurred if writers are not cautious.
Therefore, in a world where people use resources without giving credit to the author, it is essential to understand the difference between paraphrasing and plagiarism to maintain academic integrity and promote originality.
In this article, we will explore what plagiarism and paraphrasing is. When does paraphrasing turn into plagiarism? What are some tips and tricks to avoid plagiarism? And how can one improve paraphrasing skills through practice?
What is Plagiarism?
At its core, plagiarism is the act of exploiting someone else’s work and presenting it as your own without giving credit to the author. However, there are different types of plagiarism that can range from global to accidental or unintentional plagiarism to severe plagiarism. But regardless of the intent, plagiarism is considered equivalent to a crime that results in extreme academic penalties and even legal repercussions.
To ensure your content is free of plagiarism and paraphrasing is done well, use the advanced plagiarism detection tool.
What is Paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing is an act of using your words to present someone else’s ideas. Simply, it is restating the ideas of others in your own words by replacing them with synonyms and changing sentence structure.
Imagine you are tested on a certain topic your instructor taught you yesterday. What will you do in the test? You will write the central idea of that topic maintaining the original thought, but in your own words. This is what paraphrasing is called.
When does Paraphrasing count as Plagiarism?
Although plagiarism and paraphrasing sometimes sound confusing, there are 2 ways when paraphrasing counts as plagiarism:
- Paraphrasing is plagiarism when you share the ideas of others without proper referencing.
- Paraphrasing is plagiarism when you have cited the author, but your words are somewhat similar to the original work.
Hence, paraphrasing is not labeled as plagiarism when you have used your own wording but included proper citations in your work.
This is a skill that develops with practice and time. You can check this example to identify paraphrased and plagiarized content and then practice avoiding it.
| ORIGINAL TEXT | PLAGIARIZED CONTENT (Writer A) | PARAPHRASED CONTENT (Writer B) |
| The Internet is a global network of interconnected devices and communication systems that enables individuals to access a wide range of information and resources from anywhere in the world. The origins of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s. Source Cited: Introduction to Internet. Netherlands, Gilad James Mystery School. | The Internet is a global network of interconnected devices and communication systems that enables individuals to access a wide range of information and resources from anywhere in the world. The origins of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s. | The Internet works as a worldwide network that connects various devices, granting individuals access to an extensive array of information and resources regardless of their location. The inception of the Internet can be traced back to the 1960s. |
In this example:
Writer B has retained the same meaning and successfully paraphrased the original text by using synonyms and altering the sentence structure a little bit. This is counted as plagiarism because it lacks citation.
Author A, on the other hand, has directly copied the original text without giving any credit to the author who wrote the original text. This type of work is also considered plagiarism as it presents the original author’s work as their own.
It’s important to remember that while plagiarism and paraphrasing, the Focus Keyword and combination appear 12 times. paraphrasing, it’s not enough to just change a few words here and there; the ideas must be expressed in a new way, and proper citations should be used when the ideas are not your own.
How to Distinguish Plagiarism and Paraphrasing?
Plagiarism and paraphrasing have a thin line; however, you can distinguish between these by keeping these pointers in mind:
Refer to or cite the source
Always mention the name of the author or title of the article when you are generating ideas from others. You can use in-text citations or add a bibliography at the end to ensure academic integrity.
You can get our citation generation service to create free citations for your work.
Rephrase it well
When you are restating, never substitute just 2-3 words with the synonyms because our advanced AI detection tool powered by Turnitin can easily detect the paraphrased work and label it as plagiarism. Therefore, always change sentence structure, parts of speech, some clauses, and phrases when you are paraphrasing, and don’t forget to credit the author.
Use Quotation Marks for Direct Speech
When you want to write the saying of some great personalities or want to use the work of someone with unique terminology, it is always preferred to add it within the quotation marks.
Always remember that if your work looks like the already published work, then there are high chances that you have committed plagiarism no matter whether you have paraphrased your work or not.
For example
“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.”
William Faulkner
Always write famous sayings in quotation marks along with the name of the author.
What are the Common Types of Plagiarism?
Plagiarism and paraphrasing are confusing terms. There are several forms of plagiarism, however, according to the Writing Program, there are 6 different types of plagiarism:
1: Verbatim Plagiarism
Stealing and presenting the work of others word by word.
For example:
Original Text: With the growth in the availability of images through the World Wide Web, the question of the detection of non-textual plagiarism is increasingly important. (Reference of Source: Bowman, Steve. (2008). The Creativity of Plagiarism.)
Plagiarized Text (Verbatim): With the growth in the availability of images through the World Wide Web, the question of the detection of non-textual plagiarism is increasingly important.
2: Inadequate Paraphrase
Resemblance of your work with the original source copy.
For example:
Original Text: With the growth in the availability of images through the World Wide Web, the question of the detection of non-textual plagiarism is increasingly important. (Reference of Source: Bowman, Steve. (2008). The Creativity of Plagiarism.)
Plagiarized Text (Inadequate Paraphrase): Due to the growth in the accessibility of images on the internet, the issue of identifying non-textual plagiarism is becoming more crucial.
3: Mosaic Plagiarism
Mosaic plagiarism is officially known as Patch Writing. It means using text from other sources word by word and changing just a few parts of it to present it as an original work without referencing, quoting, or paraphrasing.
For example:
Original Text: With the growth in the availability of images through the World Wide Web, the question of the detection of non-textual plagiarism is increasingly important. (Reference of Source: Bowman, Steve. (2008). The Creativity of Plagiarism.)
Plagiarized Text (Mosaic): The issue of detecting non-textual plagiarism is becoming important, with the rise in the accessibility of images on the internet.
4: Uncited Paraphrase
Paraphrasing but without giving credit to the source.
For example:
Original Text: With the growth in the availability of images through the World Wide Web, the question of the detection of non-textual plagiarism is increasingly important. (Reference of Source: Bowman, Steve. (2008). The Creativity of Plagiarism.)
Plagiarized Text (Uncited Paraphrase): On the internet, due to the easy access to images, the concern regarding identifying non-textual plagiarism is becoming progressively significant.
5: Uncited Quotation
Quoting without adding any reference material.
For example:
Original Text: “To be or not to be, that is the question.”
Plagiarized Text (Uncited Quotation): To be or not to be, that is the question.
6: Using other Student’s Work
Submitting other student’s work as your own and taking full credit.
For example:
Another Student’s Work: How climate change is the cause of melting glaciers.
Plagiarized Text: (Submitted by a different student): The impact of climate change on melting glaciers.
Hence, it is always preferred to cite and paraphrase your work properly to avoid any sort of plagiarism. But have you heard about self-plagiarism?
When you submit your already submitted work as a new source then it is also considered plagiarism and can harm your academic integrity.
To avoid any sort of accidental plagiarism, check our advanced plagiarism tool and get your report.
How to Avoid Plagiarism?
Plagiarism can only be prevented when you cite your resources properly with sufficient paraphrasing.
For plagiarism and paraphrasing, one of the best ways to make sure that your work is paraphrased well is by using a plagiarism checker. It will detect and highlight your work if it is not properly paraphrased.
Explore Skyline Academic’s Turnitin-powered plagiarism tool to make your papers unique and original.
How to Paraphrase Effectively?
Now that you have explored various forms of plagiarism, let’s focus on the technique of paraphrasing. Follow these tips to paraphrase successfully:
- Read the source material loud to have a thorough understanding of the topic.
- Compose your paraphrased version by changing sentence structure and order of ideas.
- See if your work conveys the original message or not.
- Make detailed notes on your sources and then add on the references.
- Use quotation marks if any term is borrowed directly from the source.
- Cite your work properly.
If you are still struggling, explore Skyline Academics’ Proofreading service to make your content well-organized and free from plagiarism.
What is the Importance of Distinguishing Between Plagiarism and Paraphrasing?
Understanding the difference between plagiarism and paraphrasing is of paramount importance because:
- Plagiarism is a breach of academic integrity that can lead to severe repercussions.
- Plagiarism hinders creativity whereas paraphrasing encourages intellectual growth by pushing people to understand complex ideas and writing in their own words.
- Paraphrasing can allow readers to maintain originality and empower their unique ideas without relying too much on the work of others.
- Citations and references ensure honesty and demonstrate respect for the work of others.
Plagiarism and paraphrasing are quite confusing, therefore, whether you are paraphrasing or directly quoting, always give credit to others by adding citations and references to prevent plagiarism which is considered a dishonest and unacceptable act.
Balancing between plagiarism and paraphrasing
In conclusion, distinguishing between plagiarism and paraphrasing is vital for upholding academic integrity and fostering originality in writing.
Proper citation, effective paraphrasing techniques, and awareness of various forms of plagiarism are key to preventing unintentional academic misconduct. By embracing these practices, writers contribute to a culture of honesty, intellectual growth, and respect for the work of others in the academic community.
If you need help with your writing, expert assistance is available at Skyline Academic.