How can an author properly paraphrase a sentence from another author?

Proper paraphrasing requires that the author restates the original idea using their own words and writing style. This approach ensures that the author not only captures the essence of the original sentence but also incorporates their unique perspective and voice, which is critical in academic writing. This technique helps to distinguish the author's work from that of others, demonstrating both understanding and originality.

By effectively paraphrasing, the author also reduces the risk of plagiarism, as they are not simply replacing a few words in the original sentence but rather creating a new expression of the same concept. This shows both respect for the original author's ideas and a commitment to contributing their own thoughts to the discourse.

In contrast, simply making minor changes to the original sentence or trying to maintain the same voice while switching styles could lead to unintentional plagiarism, as these methods do not genuinely transform the original wording. Summarizing ideas in footnotes does not address the need for effective paraphrasing in the main text and doesn’t maintain the detail and nuance of the original idea.