Reword or Rewrite-which one is better?

Written by Kimberley Richardson Updated at Sep 14, 2023 Reading time: 6

Reword or Rewrite-which one is better?


Determining whether to reword or rewrite content requires evaluating several factors. If the original text is well-structured but needs minor polishing, rewording to enhance clarity and flow is typically the faster, easier option. However, rewriting from scratch allows more flexibility to transform content with major stylistic or structural flaws. The ideal approach often involves rewriting poor sections and compiling surrounding content to blend it.

 

Consider the specific needs of the project and timeline when deciding on rewriting versus rewording. Rewording may suffice for improving website copy or giving a report a quick edit. But outdated blog posts or content needing conversion to a new format are better candidates for full rewrites. The quality of the existing content is also key - strong writing may only require light rewording, while poor writing needs extensive rewriting.

What does Reword mean?


Rewording means to express something that has already been written or said using different words. It involves taking an existing piece of text and modifying it by changing the vocabulary and sentence structure while retaining the same overall meaning.

Rewording is done for several reasons:

  • To simplify complex language and make it more understandable
  • To avoid plagiarism when using another author's ideas
  • To update outdated terminology or phrases
  • To adapt the text for a different audience or purpose
  • To improve clarity and reduce repetition

The main goal of rewording is to recreate an idea or passage in a new form without changing the core meaning and information. Synonyms and restructured sentences are used to rephrase the original text.

What does Rewrite mean?


Rewriting involves creating a new text to express the same essential ideas and information as the original. It goes beyond just changing the vocabulary and structure. When rewriting, the author expresses the concepts in their own unique words and style.

Reasons for rewriting include:

  • To target a different audience by adapting the content accordingly
  • To improve the flow, structure, and organization of ideas
  • To update old or ineffective writing
  • To change the tone or writing style
  • To make the piece more engaging and readable
  • To avoid plagiarism while still using the same basic research

The core ideas remain the same in rewriting, but the expression is unique. It relies on more than just substituting words and rearranging sentences. The author writes from scratch while following the basic premise of the original piece.

How do you use Reword and Rewrite in sentences?


Here are some examples of reword and rewriting used in sentences:

  • I planned to reword a few paragraphs in my essay to avoid repeating the same phrases.
  • The journalist reworded the witness's statement to remove bias while retaining the key details.
  • The professor suggested I rewrite my entire introduction to better frame my thesis.
  • The marketing team will rewrite the ad copy to target a younger demographic.
  • I like to reword difficult texts from academic papers to study the concepts in my own words.
  • The editor asked me to rewrite the story from the antagonist's perspective to create more tension.
  • I used a thesaurus to reword my statement and make it less emotional.
  • The student's paper was flagged for plagiarism, so she had to rewrite the copied sections in her style.

Which one is easier to use, reword, or rewrite?

 

Rewording is generally easier and faster than completely rewriting a piece from scratch. Here's a comparison:

Reword

  • Focuses on modifying vocabulary and sentence structure
  • Retains the same key ideas
  • Requires less time and effort than rewriting
  • Can utilize tools like thesauruses to substitute words
  • Allows building on an existing structure as a starting point

Rewrite

  • Requires expressing ideas in your own unique words and style
  • Needs a strong grasp of the concepts to convey them effectively
  • It can be time-consuming to create a new structure and flow
  • Tests writing skills by communicating the core message from scratch
  • Gives more creative freedom and flexibility

While rewriting produces a more original, tailored piece of writing, it also demands more writing skills and time. Rewording is simpler for research notes, descriptions, instructions, and text for background purposes. The medium and intended use should dictate which approach is more suitable.

Comparison between reword or rewrite?


Here is a summary comparing rewording and rewriting:

Reword

Rewrite

Modifies existing textCreates an entirely new text
Changes vocabulary and sentence structureExpresses ideas in own unique words and style
Retains core meaningconveys the same key ideas and information
Relies on paraphrasing skillsRelies on writing skills
Useful for research notes, updates, simplicityBetter for a complete makeover, originality
The lower level of changeHigher level of change
Closer to the original structureFlexibility for new structure
Less creative freedomGreater creative freedom
Usually faster and easierMore time-consuming and challenging

In essence, rewording modifies text while rewriting completely transforms it based on the same core ideas and premises. Rewording takes less effort, but rewriting allows more creative liberty in expression.

 

FAQs


Q: Is rewording considered plagiarism?


A: No, rewording is not plagiarism as long as you properly paraphrase the ideas in your own words rather than copying words and sentences verbatim from the source. Proper paraphrasing with citation avoids plagiarism.

Q: When should I rewrite versus reword?

 

A: Rewrite when you want to transform the existing text to make it read differently completely. Reword when you want to keep the core structure similar but modify vocabulary and phrasing. Also, rewrite when needing high originality.

Q: Is rewriting better for SEO?


A: Yes, completely rewriting existing content with unique text improves SEO, as it appears more original to search engines than rewording. However, the new content must also be high quality and relevant.

Q: What tools can help with rewording?


A: Tools like thesauruses, paraphrasing tools like Quillbot, and grammar-checking tools like Grammarly can help facilitate rewording by suggesting alternative words and highlighting problematic phrases.

Q: Can I rewrite content without permission?


A: If the content is under copyright, you generally need permission from the author to rewrite it substantially. For educational fair use, you can paraphrase moderate portions with citations. Factual information and ideas can be rewritten more freely.

Conclusion


Rewording and rewriting serve different purposes. Rewording modifies text to say the same thing differently, while rewriting expresses the ideas in your unique voice and style. Rewording is faster and easier but allows less creativity. Rewriting gives more freedom but requires strong writing ability. The intended use and parameters of the task determine which approach is better suited. With care to maintain meaning and cite sources, reworking and rewriting can effectively communicate ideas. The key is choosing the right method for the context.

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