During your academic journey, you’ll encounter two terms very frequently: rephrasing & paraphrasing. To the average person, they’re the same.
Many students struggle to understand the difference between the two. But they’re pretty different. It’s just too subtle. Don’t worry! This blog will make things clear once and for all. Scroll down for more details.
It’s crucial to understand the difference between the two. Want to know why? It’s because your assignment quality depends on it. You’ll have a lot of trouble if you confuse paraphrasing with rephrasing.
Ultimately, you might hire essay editing by MyAssignmentHelp from editors online because your grades are on the line. But why bother? You can do it yourself! You need to figure out how to distinguish between the two. But first, let’s define them.
What is Rephrasing?
Have you ever read a complicated passage and wished it were presented better for easier comprehension? Well, that’s where rephrasing shines. Let’s put this in simple terms for you.
Rephrasing is altering the content by changing a few words and sentence order. The primary intent is to improve reading comprehension. It is also used to shift the focus on a particular point.
You can employ various techniques for rephrasing. Here are a few common ones –
- Interchange subject and object.
- Change a few words.
- Add a few sentences.
- Change the tense of the sentence.
- Add or remove paragraph breaks.
When Do You Rephrase?
Understanding the situations that call for rephrasing is crucial to figuring out how it differs from others. It’s usually used for two cases:
- When you want to make a write-up simpler
- When you want to avoid exact replication
Once you review the paraphrasing details, you’ll realize why people confuse the two. But for now, you understand the concept of rephrasing, right? Jump down to the example section. Check out a few samples for a better understanding.
What is Paraphrasing?
You’ve probably had to deal with this concept for a long time as a student. But how does it differ from rephrasing? Let’s find out.
Paraphrasing refers to rewording existing content while keeping the original context intact.
While writing academic papers, you’ll need to paraphrase often. That’s because you need to refer to other sources. Now, there are two ways you can achieve this:
- You quote directly from the source.
- You paraphrase the section you want to include.
While paraphrasing, you’re practically rearranging the way the information is presented. But it’s not for easier comprehension.
First, you understand what the source material has to say.
Then, you present it in your way. When paraphrasing, you must include the source as an in-text citation and in the reference list. After all, you’re borrowing someone else’s ideas. You can’t call them your own. That’s why this process is of utmost importance.
Paraphrasing is not rocket science. It’s pretty simple. Just check out these tips, and you can improve your skills quickly.
- Change the voice of the sentence.
- Change the tense of the sentence.
- Use synonyms for certain words.
- Change the sentence ordering.
- Modify phrases in the sentence.
Notice that a few points match the tips for rephrasing. Well, they’re indeed both somewhat similar. But they’re also fundamentally different. You’ll get into more of that soon.
Examples of Rephrasing and Paraphrasing
Rephrasing Example #1:
- Original version: The cumulative effort of the research group made the impracticable solution work out.
- Rephrased version: The research group worked together and worked out a solution to the problem.
Rephrasing Example #2:
- Original version: The police brutality against the minority group triggered public outrage that resulted in the dismantling of order and discipline.
- Rephrased version: The public protested the police brutality against the minority group. They threw order and discipline to the wind by burning police cars and blocking roads.
You can add details to the rephrased version for better comprehension. But you can’t do this when paraphrasing. Let’s check a few examples.
Paraphrasing Example #1:
- Original version: The experts couldn’t determine how to proceed with the experiment. So, they went back to square one.
- Paraphrased version: When the experiment’s progress was at a standstill, the experts decided to begin from the start.
Paraphrasing Example #2:
- Original version: The use of AI in the creative world has endangered the livelihoods of many writers and artists. The government needs to come up with measures to address the issue.
- Paraphrased version: Mass AI usage in the creative field has made it harder for writers and artists to sustain their livelihoods. It is up to the government to provide solutions.
Is it now clear that the context and details of the paraphrased version remain the same? You understand the original text.
Then, you write it in your own words. The primary intent isn’t to ensure easy comprehension. Instead, you paraphrase to avoid plagiarism.
Differences between Rephrasing and Paraphrasing
You’ve probably understood the main differences between the two by now. But let’s sum it up for your benefit.
| Rephrasing | Paraphrasing |
| 1. Used to reword sentences and passages. | 1. Used to rephrase long texts. |
| 2. You can modify the context for easier comprehension. | 2. You cannot change the context. |
| 3. Used to change one’s writing. | 3. Used to rephrase someone else’s text. |
What is a Paraphrase song in other words?
Paraphrasing songs is a creative way of expressing yourself through music.
It involves transforming an existing song into your own words, often changing the melody or tune to fit the original artist’s message better.
This allows you to express familiar ideas and can be used to help create original lyrics or provide a fresh perspective on an old favorite.
Paraphrasing provides an interesting way for those interested in making music to create something unique while still sharing their creativity with others.
How To Paraphrase A Song Lyric New?
Paraphrasing a song lyric can effectively give a song new life and make it more interesting.
When paraphrasing, select specific words that capture the song’s overall vibe. Look for key phrases or words that contribute to the meaning.
Start by writing down your interpretation of the lyrics without changing any words.
Then, select different language options that still contain the same message without using the same words as found in the original lyric.
Consider switching out some parts of speech and exploring synonyms that could provide different connotations and renderings of a phrase.
And lastly, examine punctuation and consider if there are other ways to use commas or periods to emphasize specific ideas or transitions within a verse or chorus.
Sum it up
Rephrasing and paraphrasing are pretty similar. That’s why it becomes challenging to differentiate between the two.
However, they do have noticeable differences. For example, from the utility perspective, you can paraphrase long texts. But rephrasing is only meant for 1-2 sentences or short paragraphs.
You can’t change the context for paraphrasing. You generally paraphrase someone else’s work. Minor differences like these separate the two.
