Paraphrasing:

As most of you know, copying someone else’s work is a violation of copyright. In academic circles it is called “plagiarism” and this might cost you the grade you were trying to get in that history class. So, in a nutshell, never copy someone else’s work! However, it is not wrong to paraphrase, or capture the essence of what someone has said in your own words. There are three recommendations I have for you so that you are successful with this writing tip and don’t end up walking on someone else’s lawn, if you get my drift.

1. Recommendation #1:
Understand what the original text says, but understand it in a bullet-list or nice menu structure.

2. Recommendation #2:
If you copy text directly or even “closely”, you must cite the author as the source, with all bells and whistles. There is your obligation as a writer, that is, an honest one.

3. Recommendation #3:
When you paraphrase, make sure you use text that is completely “you” and that you are not following the presentation structure of the other person. Again, capture the essence of the text or message, but in your own unique way, even if it means presenting a summary of ideas and the actual content size is less. It is better to be safe than sorry