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Preventing Plagiarism
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4A. What is the correct way to paraphrase? Techniques

Paraphrasing is a technique used to avoid plagiarism. Your paraphrase can be longer or shorter than the original. Concentrate on the meaning and not on the words to get the paraphrase in your own "voice." Use some or all of the paraphrasing techniques listed below:

• Change word form or part of speech (example).

• Use synonyms of "relationship words" (example). Look for relationship words such as contrast, cause, effect, and substitute a word or phrase that conveys a similar meaning. This will often change the structure of your sentence.

• Use synonyms of phrases and words (example).

• Change the word order (example).

• Change passive voice to active and move phrases and modifiers.

• Use reversals or negatives that do not change the meaning (example).

• Do not change concept words, special terms, or proper names (example).