paráfrasis

Paràfrasis, or paraphrase, is the restatement of a text or spoken passage in different words while preserving the original meaning. It involves rewording, reorganizing, or expanding ideas to convey the same information more clearly or in a different style. Paraphrase differs from a summary in that it tends to reproduce most of the original content with adjustments in wording and structure, whereas a summary condenses the main points.

Etymology: The term derives from Greek para- "beside" and phrasis "speech" and entered languages via Latin and French; in Catalan the form paràfrasis mirrors this origin.

Usage: Paraphrase is widely used in education, journalism, and scholarly writing to explain difficult material, translate ideas into another linguistic register, or integrate sources with original analysis. Ethical use requires attribution and faithful representation of the source's meaning, avoiding distortions or misrepresentation.

Techniques: Common methods include substituting synonyms, changing sentence order, converting passive to active voice (or vice versa), breaking long sentences, and defining terms. A close paraphrase preserves most content closely; a loose paraphrase emphasizes interpretation and stylistic changes.

Examples: Original: "The study found that sleep improves memory." Paraphrase: "The research showed that memory performance benefits from sleep." A faithful paraphrase keeps the essential claim.

See also: Plagiarism avoidance, translation, summary.