Library Guides
Paraphrasing means putting the ideas/theories/models/concepts/practices you have been reading and learning about into your own words. You will need to provide details of these in your assignment, according to the assessment brief. Paraphrasing ideas in your own words helps you understand information and furthermore helps you remember that information.
Taking a piece of text from a source and changing a few words or the order of the ideas presented is NOT PARAPHRASING. If you do this in your assignment, even if you reference it appropriately, then you are still committing the offence of plagiarism. The use of ‘TURNITIN’ plagiarism detection software is widely used throughout the university to detect such practices.
Learning how to paraphrase will help you avoid plagiarising and will enable you to develop confidence in your own understanding and writing. Tutors want to know what you have to say! Information on how to paraphrase is available here
