Students often get confused as to the differences between summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting. Whether it is writing a simple article or even an intricate research paper, students need to be aware of the differences between these three to excel at academics.
What is paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing is re-writing another writer’s words or ideas in your own words without altering the meaning. The paraphrase is about the same length as the first since the objective is to rephrase without leaving anything out, and not to shorten and most people use the best paraphrase tool online free for paraphrasing purposes. A summary is always shorter than the first since the idea is to comprise only the main points of the initial work and to leave out the immaterial. A summary is generally about one-fifth the size of the original.
Now when should you paraphrase and if should you outline?
Paraphrase when:
You wish to use another author’s words without plagiarizing
You wish to use another writer’s words without the use of quotes
The ideas of the other writer are more important than his/her style
You believe the words of another writer are too difficult for your readers
Listed below are five essential differences between the three which will allow you to make sure that you write properly.
1. Definitions
However, when you paraphrase something, you use your words which have exactly the same significance. While developing a list, you compose the fundamental notion of the text in a shorter form using your own words.
2. The Objective
You provide a quote to offer authority to what you’re saying. When you mention a quotation, your text becomes more authoritative. You paraphrase something once the first author’s words are not that important and you have to express in your own language. You write a summary when you would like to give a gist of someone else’s work and you just need to focus on a number of the primary points.
3. How should you do it?
While quoting, you estimate the source as well as the words. In one way, you replicate the words give credence to the first writer. With both paraphrasing and summarizing, you compose your own words but ensure that you focus on never copying’ anything from the first text. To put it simply, during outlining, you are given a main article text or body you need to shorten and write in your own words.
4. Ideas and words
You should estimate and cite ideas and words. You can’t take anybody’s thoughts as your own rather than cite it. Neither can you take words mentioned by the next to be stated by you?
5. Common knowledge
Is what you writing common knowledge or have you ever thought of it? In case you have initially thought of what it is you are composing, you can just write exactly what you have to say. If it’s common knowledge and known by all, you don’t have to cite it also. But if it is not common knowledge, you need to cite it.
It is important to give credit to the original author of an article or thought to avoid charges of plagiarism and keep your credibility as an author.
These are a few of the vital differences between summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting collected by SEO Tools Centre that you should know.
