PARAPHRASING - How To

There are two ways to report what others have said. One way is to use quotation marks around the exact words. The other way is to paraphrase _that is, to put someone else´s ideas into your own words. In both cases, when you quote or paraphrase, it is essential to use attribution, which means that you indicate who the speaker is.
Below are examples of quoting and paraphrasing. Notice the use of attribution in each sentence.

1. Change the word order. For example, change from ctive voice to passive voice (or passive to active):
Quotation: Lillian Glass says, "I encourage all of my clients to read the newspaper, ..."
Paraphrase: Lillian Glass's clients are all encouraged to read the newspaper.

2. Change a word from one part of speech to another.
Quotation: According to Lillian Glass, "The best way to entice a person to have a conversation with you is by being sincere and respectful..."
Paraphrase: According to Lillian Glass, the best way to get someone to talk to you is by showing sincerity and respect.

3. Use synonyms.
Quotation: According to Lillian Glass, "The best way to entice a person to have a conversation with you is by being sincere and respectful..."
Paraphrase: According to Lillian Glass, the best way to get someone to talk to you is by showing sincerity and respect.

4. Use a negative or some other reversal that does not change the meaning.
Quotation: Glass asserts that "The best kind of ice breaker is one that's positive."
Paraphrase: Glass asserts that the best kind of ice breaker isn't negative.

5. Combine sentences. It can be helpful to combine sentences when you want to paraphrase, especially if the original sentences were short.
Quotation: Another recommendation that Glass gives is to "have a sencse of humor. Everyone enjoys a humorous story or joke."
Paraphrase: Glass also recommends that people have a sense of humor because everyone likes funny jokes and stories.

6. Use pronouns to replace names.
Quotation: "Dr. Glass has coached many celebrities on their voices, accents, and dialects."
Paraphrase: She has taught many celebrities how to use their voices, accents, and dialects.

(adapted from Improving the Grammar of Written English: The Handbook by Patricia Byrd and Beverly Benson. Wadsworth Publishing Company, Inc., 1989.)