Tools mentioned: Paraphrasing Tool, Grammar Checker, Plagiarism Checker, AI Detector, BibTeX to Citation Converter, Word and Character Counter, Case Converter, Smart Synonym Finder
What is paraphrasing
Definition: Rewrite a source passage in fresh wording and structure that fits your audience and purpose. It is not a synonym swap. It must be accurate and cited.
- Paraphrase: same scope, new wording and syntax, cite the source (build references with the citation tool).
- Quote: same wording in quotation marks with a citation.
- Summary: shorter version with only key points. See Paraphrase vs Rewrite vs Summarize.
Tone vs style vs mode
- Tone = attitude, like formal, neutral, friendly, confident.
- Style = conventions, like academic, business, technical, casual.
- Mode = transformation type, like standard, fluent, creative, academic, expand, shorten, grammar. See Tool Modes & Best Practices.
Pick the trio that matches your task. A lab report needs formal tone, academic style, and shorten mode for tight word limits. A product page may need confident tone, business style, and fluent mode. For headline polish, run titles through the Case Converter and check limits in the Word Counter.
Step by step paraphrasing workflow
- Read for meaning. Identify claim, evidence, and limits (jot bullets with the Text ⇄ List Converter).
- List protected terms that must not change—names, formulas, jargon (lock them in the Paraphrasing Tool).
- Close the source and write a plain-language restatement from memory.
- Set tone, style, and mode for the audience. Example: formal + academic + shorten.
- Compare to the source for accuracy and structure; fix mechanics with the Grammar Checker.
- Cite in APA, MLA, Chicago, etc. Use the BibTeX ↔ Citation Converter and see the citation guide.
- Verify originality with the Plagiarism Checker; if requested, add a scan from the AI Detector.
- You changed both wording and sentence structure.
- Protected terms are accurate and unchanged.
- Meaning matches the source and is cited.
- Tone and style fit the assignment or brand (trim or expand with the Word Counter as needed).
Before and after examples
Source: “Widespread device usage after midnight correlates with reduced sleep quality and lower next day executive function among adolescents.”
Academic tone, shorten mode: “Night-time device use is linked to poorer sleep and weaker next-day executive function in adolescents.”
Business style, confident tone: “Late-night screen time harms teen sleep and next-day focus. Limit usage after midnight.”
Tip: keep the claim intact but vary syntax and diction to fit audience needs. Normalize caps with the Case Converter; swap repeats with the Smart Synonym Finder.
Ethical use and citation
Paraphrasing strengthens your voice but never replaces authorship. Always cite the source when paraphrasing. Some courses and journals expect page numbers for close paraphrases. If you use AI, treat output as a draft, verify claims, keep discipline-specific terminology, and add references. For policy and classroom guidance, read Ethical Paraphrasing in Academia.
Using an AI paraphrasing tool the right way
- Set protected words and choose tone, style, and mode.
- Generate options in the Paraphrasing Tool and review side-by-side (compare versions later with the Code Diff Checker).
- Edit heavily to keep your voice and structure; fix grammar in the Grammar Checker.
- Cite sources and run checks: Plagiarism Checker and optional AI Detector.
- Meet word limits with the Word Counter and format headings via the Case Converter.
FAQ
- Is paraphrasing with AI allowed in academia
- Policies vary. Many allow support tools if you maintain authorship, verify accuracy, and cite the original sources. Check your syllabus or journal guide; see Ethical Paraphrasing.
- How do I choose between expand and shorten modes
- Use shorten for abstracts, meta descriptions, or strict caps. Use expand to unpack dense claims with transitions without adding unsupported content (see Modes best practices).
- How do I cite a paraphrase in APA
- Include author and year in-text plus a reference entry; page numbers are recommended for close paraphrases. Build entries with the BibTeX ↔ Citation Converter.
- Will a paraphrasing tool make my writing sound robotic
- Not if you edit. Use the tool for options, then revise for rhythm and voice. Finish with the Grammar Checker and avoid common errors from the Grammar Blunders guide.
- What is the fastest way to avoid plagiarism while paraphrasing
- Close the source, write from memory, then compare and cite. Change structure and diction. Verify with the Plagiarism Checker before submitting.
Paraphrasing is a craft. Align tone, style, and mode with your goals, preserve meaning, and cite sources. Use AI to accelerate your process while keeping judgment and integrity in your hands—then keep improving with our Best AI Writing Tools roundup.