Plagiarism. It is the one word that strikes fear into the heart of every student, researcher, and content writer.
Whether it is intentional or accidental, the consequences of plagiarism can be severe, from a failing grade to academic suspension. But here is the challenge: when you are writing a research paper, you have to use other people's ideas. The key is communicating those ideas in your own unique voice.
This process is called Paraphrasing.
Paraphrasing isn't just swapping a few synonyms (a common mistake known as "patchwriting"). It requires completely restructuring the text. In this guide, we will cover 5 proven ways to rewrite essays effectively to ensure your work is original, plagiarism-free, and high-quality.
1. The "Read, Hide, Write" Method
This is the classic manual technique taught in universities. It ensures that you aren't just copying the sentence structure of the original author.
How to do it:
- Read the original paragraph or section until you fully understand the concept.
- Hide the source material (minimize the tab or flip the book over).
- Write the concept down from memory in your own words.
- Compare your version with the original to ensure accuracy, but check that the phrasing is distinct.
Pro Tip: If the source text is too long to memorize, use a Text Summarizer first to extract the key points, then rewrite from the summary.
2. Change the Voice and Structure (Active vs. Passive)
One of the easiest ways to differentiate your writing from the source is to change the grammatical voice. If the original text is in the passive voice, switch to the active voice (and vice versa).
- Original (Passive): "The experiment was conducted by the research team in a controlled environment."
- Rewritten (Active): "The research team performed the experiment within a controlled setting."
This simple switch often forces you to rearrange the entire sentence structure, significantly lowering the similarity score on plagiarism checkers like Turnitin.
3. Use an AI Paraphrasing Tool (The Smart Way)
Let’s face it: manual rewriting takes time, and sometimes you get "writer’s block" trying to find the right words. This is where advanced AI tools save the day.
The Paraphrase Tool App acts as an intelligent writing assistant. It doesn't just spin words; it understands context.
Why use an app instead of a thesaurus?
- Contextual Awareness: The app ensures that technical terms remain accurate while changing the surrounding descriptive text.
- Multiple Modes:
- Standard Mode: Keeps it simple and factual.
- Fluency Mode: Fixes awkward phrasing (great for ESL students).
- Creative Mode: Completely reimagines the sentence for a more engaging tone.
How to use it: simply paste your draft into the app, hit "Paraphrase," and watch it generate a fresh, unique version of your text in seconds.
4. Synthesize Multiple Sources
The best way to avoid plagiarism is to never rely on just one source for a paragraph. "Synthesis" means combining ideas from Source A and Source B to create a new thought (Source C).
Example:
- Source A says: "Climate change causes rising sea levels."
- Source B says: "Coastal cities are at risk of flooding."
- Synthesis: "Because climate change is driving sea levels upward, major coastal cities are facing an increased risk of catastrophic flooding."
By combining ideas, you create something entirely new that is naturally plagiarism-free.
5. Don't Forget to Check Your Grammar
Sometimes, when you rewrite sentences extensively to avoid plagiarism, you accidentally create grammatical errors or awkward phrasing. A sentence that is "unique" but unreadable is just as bad as a plagiarized one.
Before submitting your essay, always run your rewritten text through a Grammar Checker.
The Paraphrase Tool App includes a free, built-in grammar check that scans your rewritten content for:
- Subject-verb agreement errors.
- Misplaced punctuation.
- Run-on sentences.
Conclusion: Paraphrasing is a Skill, Not a Cheat
Rewriting text isn't about hiding the source; it's about understanding the source well enough to explain it yourself.
By combining manual techniques like the "Read-Hide-Write" method with powerful technology like the Paraphrase Tool App, you can submit essays with confidence.
Stop worrying about plagiarism scores.
Download the Paraphrase Tool: AI Rewriter today on iOS to paraphrase, summarize, and grammar-check your papers instantly.