How to Say the Author States in Other Words
In academic writing, it is essential to paraphrase or restate the author’s statements to avoid plagiarism and demonstrate a deep understanding of the source material. However, expressing the author’s ideas in your own words can be challenging. This article will provide you with practical strategies and examples on how to say the author states in other words effectively.
Understand the Author’s Intent
The first step in rephrasing an author’s statement is to comprehend their intended message. Read the original passage carefully and identify the main idea, supporting details, and the author’s tone. By understanding the context and purpose behind the statement, you can create a more accurate and meaningful paraphrase.
Use Synonyms and Alternative Phrases
One of the simplest ways to restate an author’s statement is by using synonyms and alternative phrases. Replace specific words or phrases with their synonyms while maintaining the overall meaning. For instance, if the author says, “The study concludes that the participants demonstrated significant improvement in cognitive skills,” you can rephrase it as, “The research indicates a substantial enhancement in the participants’ cognitive abilities.”
Change the Sentence Structure
Another effective technique is to alter the sentence structure while keeping the original meaning intact. This can involve changing the order of the sentence components, using different sentence types, or employing a variety of tenses. For example, if the author writes, “The findings suggest that the new medication is more effective than the existing treatment,” you could say, “The study shows that the novel drug outperforms the current treatment in efficacy.”
Integrate the Paraphrase into Your Text
When incorporating a paraphrased statement into your own writing, it is crucial to introduce it appropriately. Provide a brief introduction to the original source and its relevance to your topic. This helps establish the context and demonstrates your understanding of the source material. For instance, “According to Smith (2020), the study found that the participants’ cognitive skills improved significantly after using the new medication, which is more effective than the existing treatment.”
Example of Restating an Author’s Statement
Original statement: “The research indicates that the new treatment significantly reduces the symptoms of depression in patients with major depressive disorder.”
Paraphrased statement: “The study shows that the innovative therapy dramatically alleviates the symptoms of major depressive disorder in patients.”
By employing these techniques and examples, you can effectively say the author states in other words, demonstrating your ability to engage with and analyze source material while maintaining academic integrity.
