The three paraphrasing rules — change words, change syntax, cite source

Sort: 4 versions of same passage. Which are plagiarism? (1) Copy-paste no cite. (2) Same syntax, 3 words swapped, no cite. (3) Different words AND syntax, no cite. (4) Different words AND syntax, WITH cite.

• Reveal: 1, 2, 3 all plagiarism; only 4 correct
• Note surprise at #3 — many students think 'in my own words' = no cite needed

M-7-F-RES-07-B Chart

MG-36 anchor: 1-page reference with 5 plagiarism types and wrong+fixed example per type. Print-ready 11x17.

MG-36 Chart

Plagiarism examples and fixes anchor: 1-page reference with 5 EXAMPLES of plagiarism types. TYPE 1 — DIRECT (copy-paste with no citation). TYPE 2 — PATCHWORK (changing some words but keeping the syntax). TYPE 3 — UNCITED PARAPHRASE (true paraphrase but no citation — the most common student error). TYPE 4 — UNCITED IDEAS (the IDEA is borrowed even though the words are original). TYPE 5 — SELF-PLAGIARISM (reusing your own old paper without disclosure — preview for G9+). Each type with a WRONG example and a FIXED example. Bottom rule: 'When in doubt, CITE. There is no penalty for over-citing.' Print-ready 11x17.

The most common student plagiarism is UNCITED PARAPHRASE. The three rules prevent this. RULE 1 — CHANGE THE WORDS (synonyms at matched register). RULE 2 — CHANGE THE SYNTAX (rearrange clauses; passive↔active; clause order reverse). RULE 3 — CITE THE SOURCE (parenthetical citation). All three must happen together. Rule 1 alone = PATCHWORK plagiarism. Rules 1+2 without 3 = UNCITED paraphrase = plagiarism. When in doubt, CITE.

• Plagiarism software catches patchwork easily.

  model Words changed but syntax unchanged. Patchwork plagiarism.

  prompt ORIGINAL (Aveni 23): 'The Maya were master astronomers who developed sophisticated calendars based on careful observation of celestial movements.' WRONG paraphrase 1: 'The Maya were expert astronomers who created complex calendars based on detailed study of star movements.' Why wrong?
• This is the trap. 'My words = my idea' is wrong.

  model Words AND syntax changed but NO CITATION. Idea is borrowed.

  prompt Same ORIGINAL. WRONG paraphrase 2: 'Through detailed celestial observation, the Maya built calendar systems of remarkable complexity.' Why wrong?
• Over-citing has no penalty.

  model All three rules satisfied.

  prompt Same ORIGINAL. RIGHT: 'Through detailed celestial observation, the Maya built calendar systems of remarkable complexity (Aveni 23).' Why right?

• Pair-share: paraphrase one sentence from your source applying all 3 rules.
• Cold Call: which paraphrasing rule is most often forgotten?
• Thumbs: I can apply all 3 rules (up) / I need re-explanation (down)

M-7-F-RES-07-A Chart

MG-7 anchor: 3-rule card with worked example showing original + wrong (patchwork) + wrong (uncited) + right paraphrase. Print-ready 11x17.

MG-7 Chart

Three paraphrasing rules anchor (CCSS W.7.8): 3-rule card with worked examples. RULE 1 — CHANGE THE WORDS: use synonyms, but match register (don't substitute formal for informal or vice versa). RULE 2 — CHANGE THE SYNTAX: rearrange the sentence structure (subordinate clause becomes coordinate; passive becomes active; etc.). RULE 3 — CITE THE SOURCE: parenthetical citation at the end, even though you used your own words. Worked example: ORIGINAL — 'The Maya were master astronomers who developed sophisticated calendars based on careful observation of celestial movements.' WRONG paraphrase (changes words only): 'The Maya were expert astronomers who created complex calendars based on detailed study of star movements.' (Syntax unchanged — still plagiarism.) WRONG paraphrase (no citation): 'Through detailed celestial observation, the Maya built calendar systems of remarkable complexity.' (Words and syntax changed but no citation — still plagiarism.) RIGHT paraphrase: 'Through detailed celestial observation, the Maya built calendar systems of remarkable complexity (Aveni 23).' (All three rules satisfied.) Bottom: 'All three rules must happen together. One alone is plagiarism.' Print-ready 11x17.

• Paraphrase 4 passages using 3-column worksheet (ORIGINAL/PARAPHRASE/RULES-CHECKED).

  scaffold MG-7 anchor; worked example at top of worksheet
• Pair-edit: check each paraphrase against all 3 rules. Flag any with only 1 or 2 rules satisfied.

  scaffold Pair-edit rubric: Rule 1 y/n; Rule 2 y/n; Rule 3 y/n

• Paraphrase applying all three rules: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus's 584-day cycle with precision unmatched by their contemporaries.'

• Restate: change words + change syntax + cite source. Every time.
• Preview: quote-sandwich four-part integration

• Paraphrase 4 more passages from note cards applying all 3 rules. Bring tomorrow.