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Reading & writing · Grades 8–12

Paraphrasing, attribution and argument

Changing a few words is not enough; express the meaning accurately in a new structure.

Make a worksheet

Understand the idea

Paraphrase the idea

Changing a few words is not enough; express the meaning accurately in a new structure.

Separate voices

Make clear which claims are yours and which come from a source.

Test the support

Relevant evidence still needs reasoning that connects it to the claim.

Worked examples

Which practice best describes a genuine paraphrase?

Both independent wording and attribution matter.

Restating an idea accurately in a new structure and attributing it

Paraphrase this original sentence: The trial showed that a wider handle made the tool easier to grip.

Preserve the finding without adding claims about every user or every tool.

For example: In the test, people held the tool more easily when its handle was wider.

Try it yourself

  1. Which claim is too broad for evidence from one class?

    1. More testing would be useful.
    2. The trial involved one class.
    3. The method improves learning in every school.
    4. The class improved on this task.

  2. A source reports an association, but an essay says it proves causation. Explain the problem.

  3. Which item normally needs attribution in an academic essay?

    1. A distinctive argument developed by another author
    2. The number of paragraphs in your draft
    3. Your own original observation, identified as such
    4. Your own choice of heading

  4. Which phrase clearly introduces a counterargument?

    1. No evidence is needed...
    2. A reasonable objection is that...
    3. Everyone knows...
    4. This cannot possibly be questioned...

Answers and marking notes

Answers and marking notes
  1. The method improves learning in every school.

    A single-class trial cannot establish a universal claim.

  2. The essay strengthens the conclusion beyond the evidence; association may have other explanations.

    Credit accurate preservation of the source's level of certainty.

  3. A distinctive argument developed by another author

    Borrowed ideas require attribution even without direct quotation.

  4. A reasonable objection is that...

    It presents an opposing point for consideration.

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