Inappropriate Paraphrase

A more subtle type of plagiarism is the "inappropriate paraphrase" in which quoted text is altered only slightly from the original and no acknowledgment of the original author is given. Here is an example of an inappropriate paraphrase.

Original Text

The minds of children are "wired" to acquire language automatically (undergoing exactly the same stages, no matter what the language is). From ages 1-5, kids can acquire any possible language (from English to Chinese to Hawaiian), and acquiring multiple languages is no problem, provided children have enough exposure. From 5-10, kids still have an easy time, but once adolescence hits, most people lose the ability to pick up languages easily.

— Pyatt, 2000

Inappropriate Paraphrase ([bold, green text] = altered text)

The minds of [infants] are ["configured"] to acquire language automatically (undergoing exactly the same [processes], [regardless of language]). From ages 1-5, kids can acquire any possible language (from English to [Tibetan] to [Navaho]), and acquiring multiple languages is [not difficult], provided children [are exposed to them enough]. From 5-10, kids still [can learn languages easily], but once adolescence [begins], most people lose the ability to [acquire] languages easily.

Even though the second paragraph is not a direct quote, it is still a form or plagiarism because the re-edited paragraph preserves the same ideas in exactly the same sequence. The second paragraph is merely inserting some synonyms without expressing a new idea.

The key to avoiding an inappropriate paraphrase is to acknowledge the source of your material as in:

Acceptable Paraphrase

As pointed out by (Pyatt 2000), the minds of infants are "wired to acquire language automatically," undergoing the same processes in the same order, regardless of language. Children ages 1-5 can acquire any possible language, and acquiring multiple languages is not difficult, provided children have enough exposure". Children ages 5-10 can still learn languages easily, but once adolescence begins, "most people lose the ability to pick up languages."

Two things make this paraphrase acceptable - (1) the paragraph specifically identifies the author with the "(Pyatt 2000)" citation and (2) passages that are copied from the original are put in quotation marks.

On a final note - you cannot turn in a paper which merely paraphrases one or two sources even if you acknowledge them. You do have to provide some original input in order to receive a good grade.