Which statement best describes paraphrasing?

• A. Paraphrasing captures the main idea concisely.
• B. Paraphrasing restates specific sentences in your own words with similar detail.
• C. Summarizing restates the main idea concisely.
• D. Summarizing captures the main idea concisely; paraphrasing restates specific sentences in your own words with similar detail.

Answer: (B)

Paraphrasing means restating a specific sentence in your own words while keeping the same information and level of detail. It shows you understood exactly what the author said and expresses it anew without copying the original wording. This is different from summarizing, which focuses on the main idea and often shortens or leaves out details. Because paraphrasing preserves the detail from the particular sentence, it best fits the description that paraphrasing restates specific sentences in your own words with similar detail.

Example: If the original sentence says, “The rapid current of the river pulled the boat downstream,” a paraphrase would restate the idea in your own words but keep the same level of detail, such as, “The fast-flowing river dragged the boat further downstream.”