What does it mean to paraphrase a text?

Paraphrasing a text involves taking the information presented and restating it in your own words without altering its original meaning. This skill is essential for demonstrating comprehension of what you have read while allowing you to express the ideas in a way that is unique to you. When paraphrasing, it's important to capture the essence and details of the text to ensure that the meaning remains intact.

By rephrasing the content, you can clarify complex ideas, put them in a different context, or make them accessible to a different audience. This technique is useful in academic writing, studying, and discussions, as it shows understanding and integration of the material. The other options either imply a different action or do not encompass the complete intent of paraphrasing. For example, copying text word-for-word does not involve any personal interpretation, summarizing may omit details, and analyzing intent goes beyond simply restating information.