Can I use synonyms when summarizing or paraphrasing?
Answer
The Strayer Writing Standards guide outlines how and when to use direct quotes and how to paraphrase. There is also a great page with examples in our mini-lesson, Use Your Own Words: Preventing Plagiarism (20 min).
A paraphrase is rewording source information in your own words:
- Rephrase source information in your own words.
- Avoid repeating the same words of the author.
- Remember, you cannot just replace words from the original sentence by using synonyms.
- Add the author’s last name and a number to the end of your paraphrase as a in-text citation (which will be the same on your Source List).
It is not acceptable to use generative AI to paraphrase a source with the intention of copying the paraphrase into your coursework.
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