What should you do before you put information into your own words for a project?
Before you put information into your own words for a project, it is important to follow a few steps to ensure accuracy, avoid plagiarism, and maintain the integrity of the original information. Here's what you should do before paraphrasing or summarizing:
1. Understand the material: Read and analyze the original information thoroughly to gain a clear understanding of the main ideas, supporting details, and overall context.
2. Take notes: While reading, make concise notes highlighting key points and relevant details that you may want to include in your project. This will help you organize your thoughts and avoid accidentally copying phrases or sentences verbatim.
3. Use multiple sources: Consult multiple reliable sources to gather additional information, perspectives, and evidence related to the topic. This will enhance your understanding and enable you to provide a well-rounded explanation.
4. Highlight important phrases: Identify essential words, phrases, or ideas that form the core of the original information. This will help you maintain focus on the crucial elements when rephrasing.
5. Paraphrase responsibly: When rephrasing, aim to express the original author's ideas in your own words while maintaining the overall meaning. Use synonyms, change sentence structure, and alter the organization of the information, but be careful not to distort the original intention or omit important details.
6. Attribute the original source: Always give credit to the original source by citing it properly. Provide in-text citations or footnotes, and include a complete bibliography or reference list at the end of your project. This demonstrates respect for the work of others and avoids plagiarism.
Remember, paraphrasing is not just about changing a few words; it involves understanding the content and re-expressing it in a way that showcases your comprehension while acknowledging the original source.