A student submits a literature review chapter and the similarity checker reports 9% — below the department’s threshold. The supervisor still senses something odd: some paragraphs read with unusual fluency, others stumble. Placed beside the sources, the fluent paragraphs keep the original sentence structure with synonyms swapped in. The software missed them because the words changed; an experienced reader caught them at once.
This has a name: patchwriting. It usually stems not from intent to cheat but from never having been taught how to paraphrase. The consequences for the writer can still be serious. The good news is that the skill can be learnt through a clear process.
Four ways of using a source, and where the lines fall
| Use | What it does | What it requires |
|---|---|---|
| Direct quotation | Keeps the exact words | Quotation marks, citation, page number |
| Paraphrase | Restates the idea in your own structure and words, at similar length | Citation |
| Summary | Condenses the main point, much shorter | Citation |
| Patchwriting | Keeps the source’s sentence structure, swaps words | Not acceptable, even with a citation |
The crucial point is in the last row: a citation does not make patchwriting acceptable. The citation credits the idea; if you keep the expression, it needs quotation marks.
Example: from source to legitimate paraphrase
Source (hypothetical): “Students who work more than 20 hours per week tend to reduce their independent study time substantially, but this effect is much weaker among those whose jobs are related to their field of study.”
Patchwritten: “Students working over 20 hours a week usually cut their independent study time considerably, although this impact is far smaller for those employed in jobs linked to their discipline (Author, year).” The sentence structure, order of ideas and even the rhythm mirror the source.
Legitimate paraphrase: “Long working hours do not erode independent study equally for all students: when the job connects to their degree, the shortfall in study time is markedly smaller than when it does not (Author, year).” The idea is reorganised around a new claim, starting from the condition rather than from the students.
Note that “20 hours” and “independent study” could remain. Technical terms and figures need not change; what must change is how the sentence is built and how you position the idea within your own argument.
A five-step paraphrasing process
- Read until you understand, not until you remember the wording. If you cannot explain it to a classmate, you are not ready to paraphrase.
- Take keyword notes, not sentences. Write “work >20h → less self-study; weaker if job fits field”.
- Close the source and write from your notes, inside the context of your own argument.
- Compare with the original: is the meaning accurate, and does any sentence mirror its structure?
- Add the citation immediately, as you write the sentence, never “later”.
Step three is the key. With the source open on screen, almost nobody can avoid following its sentence structure.
When to quote directly
- Formal definitions where the exact wording matters.
- Statements whose wording is itself the object of analysis, as in discourse, policy or literary studies.
- Cases where paraphrase would lose an important nuance.
Beyond these, keep direct quotation to a minimum. A review chapter dense with quotation marks suggests the writer has not digested the sources. In many natural science fields, direct quotation barely appears at all.
Situations that are often overlooked
- Secondary citation: you read author A’s idea in B’s paper without reading A. Cite as “A (year), as cited in B (year)” following your style guide — or, better, find and read A.
- Self-plagiarism: reusing passages from your own thesis or earlier paper without acknowledgement. Many journals have specific text-recycling policies, especially for methods sections; check your target journal.
- Common knowledge: facts everyone in the field knows and every textbook states need no citation. When in doubt, cite.
- AI tools: many universities and publishers now have policies on using and disclosing generative AI. Read the specific policy where you submit; AI tools cannot be listed as authors.
Reading similarity reports correctly
Tools such as Turnitin and iThenticate compare your text against a database and report a percentage match. That number is not a plagiarism verdict. A high figure may come from the reference list, properly quoted passages or scale names. A low figure can still hide patchwriting where words have been changed. Assessors need to read the detailed report, not just the percentage. There is no universal threshold; each institution and journal sets its own.
A pre-submission checklist
- Every idea that is not yours carries a citation.
- Every phrase kept verbatim is in quotation marks with a page number.
- No passage keeps a source’s sentence structure.
- Secondary citations are marked correctly.
- You have checked policies on text recycling and on AI tools.
- The reference list matches in-text citations exactly.
Next step: pick three paragraphs in your draft that you wrote with a source open. Place each beside its source; if the order of ideas and sentence shapes line up, close the source and rewrite that paragraph from keyword notes.
Câu hỏi thường gặp
What is the difference between paraphrasing and patchwriting?
Paraphrasing restates an idea using your own sentence structure and words. Patchwriting keeps the source’s structure and swaps in synonyms, which counts as plagiarism even when cited.
What Turnitin percentage counts as plagiarism?
There is no universal threshold. A similarity score is only a starting point for review; the detailed report must be read. Each institution and journal sets its own policy.
Do I need to cite if I paraphrase in my own words?
Yes. The idea still belongs to the original author, so it must be credited even though the wording is yours.
What is self-plagiarism?
It is reusing your own previously published or submitted text without acknowledgement or permission. Many journals have text-recycling policies, particularly for methods sections.
How do I cite a source I found in another source?
Use a secondary citation such as “A (year), as cited in B (year)”, following your style guide. Where possible, locate and read the original source instead.
