What Is Paraphrasing?

Key Points
Paraphrasing means rephrasing text or speech in your own words, without changing its meaning. Summarizing means cutting it down to its bare essentials. You can use both techniques to clarify and simplify complex information or ideas.
To paraphrase text:

1. 
   Read and make notes.
   
2. 
   Find different terms.
   
3. 
   Put the text into your own words.
   
4. 
   Check your work.
   

You can also use paraphrasing in a meeting or conversation, by listening carefully to what's being said and repeating it back to the speaker to check that you have understood it correctly.
To summarize text or speech:

1. 
   Get a general idea of the original.
   
2. 
   Check your understanding.
   
3. 
   Make notes.
   
4. 
   Write your summary.
   
5. 
   Check your work.