Paraphrasing is a fundamental skill in academic writing, serving as a bridge between research and original thought. Scrible’s new Paraphrasing Support feature in its Edu Pro plan directly addresses the needs and challenges identified in recent academic research.
The Critical Nature of Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing is not just about rewording text; it reflects comprehension and the ability to critically engage with the material. Eaton and Hughes emphasize its role in maintaining academic integrity, stating, “Paraphrasing is essential to disseminating knowledge in an ethical manner” (Eaton and Hughes).
Paraphrasing as a Learning Tool
The ability to paraphrase is closely tied to a student’s understanding and learning. As noted in a ResearchGate publication, “Paraphrasing encourages deeper engagement with the source material, promoting better understanding and retention.” ([ResearchGate Publication on Guided Inquiry Learning]).
Scrible’s Paraphrasing Support: A Game-Changer
Scrible meets a critical need in academic writing by simplifying the paraphrasing process through the following ways:
- Allows users to create unique paraphrases for portions of their text.
- Measures the percentage of verbiage quoted from the source material, ensuring originality in the paraphrased content.
- Makes it easy to properly cite the paraphrased material in MLA, APA, Chicago, and more than 9,000 citation styles.
- Seamlessly inserts paraphrased material into the writing document with our Google and Scrible Writer Add-ons.
This is especially valuable given the observation from the University of New South Wales that effective paraphrasing is a skill that requires practice and understanding (“Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quoting”). Siqi Song points out this is especially true for non-native English speakers, “For ESL students, mastering paraphrasing is a step toward fluency in academic writing” (Song). Scrible’s Paraphrasing Support is designed to make this step less intimidating, providing a built-in opportunity to prevent plagiarism and ensure the paraphrase is distinctly different from the annotated text.
The Broader Educational Impact
Effective paraphrasing indicates a student’s understanding and ability to critically analyze information. Mastering the skill of paraphrasing is essential for academic success. Scrible’s innovative Paraphrasing Support feature meets a crucial need in the educational landscape, helping students demonstrate their understanding and engage more deeply with their research. It’s not just a tool; it’s a partner in the journey of academic excellence.
References
Eaton, Sarah Elaine, and Julia Christensen Hughes, editors. Academic Integrity in Canada: An Enduring and Essential Challenge. Springer, 2022.
Song, Siqi. “Teaching the Challenging but Essential Academic Writing Skill of Paraphrasing.” EFL Magazine. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.
[An Interventive Collaborative Scaffolded Approach with a Writing Center On ESL Students’ Academic Writing]. ResearchGate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.
[Implementation of Guided Inquiry Learning Model in Improving Students’ Understanding of Paraphrasing]. ResearchGate. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.“Paraphrasing, Summarising and Quoting.” University of New South Wales. Accessed 14 Nov. 2023.
