1. Plagiarism and Copyright
Paraphrasing

In the previous screens, we looked at examples of quoting information directly from a source. But what if you change the material you read into your own words?

This is called "paraphrasing". "Paraphrasing" means that you use your won words to convey another author's words and ideas.

Even though you are using your own words, you still must cite the source. Paraphrasing is a skill that you need to practice in order to develop, and careless use of paraphrasing can easily lead to plagiarism.

Here is an example:

Original Paragraph:

"One of the most artistically advanced forms of tattooing is found in the Japanese culture. For hundreds of years the practice of tattooing has been passed down from Hori (tattoo mentor) to student. Japanese tattoos use Japanese mythology as subject matter and are conventionally done as entire body suits (covering most of the body). Images are chosen from a proscribed set of imagery although artistic interpretation of the mythological characters may vary. There was a time when warriors and elites were tattooed in Japan , but currently only Yakuza (gangsters) and the Japanese youth, who emulate a more American style to be discussed later, take part in this practice. There is an incredible stigma attached to tattoos in Japan today, so much so that the tattooed are segregated from the rest of society and must have their own bath houses, brothels, and bars (Troy Denning, tattoo artist: personal communication 1998)."

Bell, S. (1999). Tattooed: A participant observer's exploration of meaning. Journal of American Culture 22(2) , 53. Retrieved July 30, 2004, from the MasterFILE Premier database.

Unacceptable Paraphrase:

The Japanese culture is home to one of the most artistically advanced forms of tattooing. For several centuries, tattooing has been passed on from Hori (tattoo mentor) to student. Japanese mythology is the subject matter of Japanese tattoos, generally in the form of body suits that cover a large part of the body. Images are selected from a set of mythological characters, although artistic interpretation is allowed. Once, warriors and elites were tattooed in Japan , but now only Yakuza (gangsters) and young people get tattoos. An incredible stigma is attached to tattoos in Japan . People with tattoos are separated from the rest of society. ( Bell 53)

Acceptable Paraphrase:

In Japanese culture, tattooing has developed into a high art form. Mentors known as Hori share their techniques with their students. Using almost the entire body as a canvas, Hori tattoo their artistic renderings of a set group of figures from Japanese mythology. Although warriors and other elite groups in Japanese society used to be tattooed, that is no longer the case: today, young people and gang members are the only groups willing to accept the consequences of being tattooed. Those with tattoos are ostracized and forced to frequent separate bars and other public facilities. ( Bell 53)