Responsible Paraphrasing and Citation | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: During an academic tutoring session, a student and tutor discuss how to paraphrase sources responsibly and cite ideas even when wording changes..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Responsible Paraphrasing and Citation to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Me preocupa que mis paráfrasis se mantengan demasiado cerca de las fuentes.

meh preh-oh-KOO-pah keh mees pah-RAH-frah-sees seh mahn-TEN-gahn deh-mah-see-AH-doh SEHR-kah deh lahs FOO-en-tehs I worry that my paraphrases stay too close to the sources.
B

Una prueba útil es comprobar si ha cambiado la estructura de la oración.

OO-nah PROO-eh-bah OO-teel es kohm-proh-BAHR see ah kahm-BYAH-doh lah es-trook-TOO-rah deh lah oh-rah-SYOHN A useful test is whether the sentence structure has changed.
A

A veces cambio el vocabulario, pero mantengo la lógica original.

ah BEH-sehs KAHM-byoh el boh-kah-boo-LAH-ryoh PEH-roh mahn-TENG-oh lah LOH-hee-kah oh-ree-hee-NAHL Sometimes I change vocabulary but keep the original logic.
B

Entonces, la paráfrasis todavía puede depender demasiado de la fuente.

en-TOHN-sehs lah pah-RAH-frah-sees toh-dah-BEE-ah PWEH-deh deh-pen-DEHR deh-mah-see-AH-doh deh lah FOO-en-teh Then the paraphrase may still depend too heavily on the source.
A

Probablemente debería cerrar el artículo antes de redactar.

proh-bah-BLEH-men-teh deh-beh-REE-ah seh-RRAHR el ahr-TEE-koo-loh AHN-tehs deh reh-dahk-TAHR I should probably close the article before drafting.
B

Eso puede obligarte a reconstruir la idea con tus propias palabras.

EH-soh PWEH-deh oh-blee-GAHR-teh ah reh-kohn-stroo-EER lah ee-DEH-ah kohn toos PROH-pyahs pah-LAH-brahs That can force you to reconstruct the idea in your own terms.
A

También debería citar las afirmaciones aunque la redacción sea diferente.

tahm-BYEN deh-beh-REE-ah see-TAHR lahs ah-feer-mah-SYOH-nehs OON-keh lah reh-dahk-SYOHN SEH-ah dee-feh-REN-teh I should also cite claims even when the wording differs.
B

Eso es esencial, porque las ideas también requieren atribución.

EH-soh es eh-sen-SYAL POR-keh lahs ee-DEH-ahs tahm-BYEN reh-KYEH-ren ah-tree-boo-SYOHN That is essential, because ideas require attribution too.

Word by Word

Me In "Me preocupa", "Me" means “to me” and marks the person who feels concern. The construction "Me preocupa que..." is useful for expressing worry about a situation. You can use it when telling a tutor or colleague what concerns you.
preocupa In "Me preocupa que...", "preocupa" expresses “worries” or “concerns” me. It introduces the situation causing concern, here "que mis paráfrasis se mantengan demasiado cerca de las fuentes". Use "Me preocupa que..." to describe an academic or personal concern.
que Here "que" introduces the situation that causes concern in "Me preocupa que mis paráfrasis se mantengan demasiado cerca de las fuentes". It corresponds to “that” in this sentence. The pattern "Me preocupa que..." is reusable when the following clause explains the concern.
mis In "mis paráfrasis", "mis" means “my” and refers to more than one thing. It comes directly before the plural noun "paráfrasis". Use "mis" before plural nouns when identifying things that belong to you.
paráfrasis "Paráfrasis" means “paraphrases” here, referring to rewritten versions of source material. In "mis paráfrasis", it is the subject of the concern. You can use it when discussing how you restate information in academic writing.
se In "se mantengan", "se" is part of the expression meaning “remain” or “stay”. It combines with "mantengan" to describe the paraphrases continuing to be close to the sources. Use the pattern "mantenerse cerca de..." for something remaining near or closely related to something else.
mantengan In "se mantengan demasiado cerca de las fuentes", "mantengan" means “stay” or “remain”. It appears after "Me preocupa que", which presents the possibility being worried about. The pattern "que ... se mantengan..." can describe something continuing in a particular state.
demasiado In "demasiado cerca", "demasiado" means “too” and shows that the closeness is excessive. It modifies the expression "cerca de las fuentes". Use "demasiado" before an adjective or adverbial expression when something exceeds the appropriate degree.
cerca In "demasiado cerca de las fuentes", "cerca" means “close” or “near”. The preposition "de" identifies what the paraphrases are close to. Use the pattern "cerca de..." to describe proximity or close similarity.
de In "cerca de las fuentes", "de" links "cerca" to the sources being referred to. Together, "cerca de" means “close to” or “near”. This preposition is reusable after "cerca" when naming the reference point.
las In "las fuentes", "las" means “the” and identifies a plural noun in this expression. It agrees with "fuentes". Use "las" before a plural noun when referring to specific feminine things.
fuentes "Fuentes" means “sources”, referring here to the original academic materials. In "las fuentes", it is the reference point for the paraphrases being too close. You can use it when discussing articles, books, or other materials used as evidence.
Una At the beginning of "Una prueba útil", "Una" means “a” and introduces one useful test. It comes before the feminine noun "prueba". Use "una" before a singular feminine noun when introducing a non-specific item.
prueba "Prueba" means “test” here: a method for checking whether the sentence structure has changed. In "Una prueba útil", it names the suggested way to evaluate a paraphrase. Use it for a check or method used to evaluate academic work.
útil In "Una prueba útil", "útil" means “useful” and describes the test as helpful for evaluating a paraphrase. It follows the noun in this expression. You can use it to describe a helpful method, tool, or suggestion.
es In "Una prueba útil es comprobar...", "es" means “is” and connects the test with what it involves. The following infinitive, "comprobar", explains the content of the test. Use "es" to identify or define what something is.
comprobar In "es comprobar si ha cambiado la estructura de la oración", "comprobar" means “to check” or “to verify”. It names the action that makes the test useful. Use an infinitive after "es" when explaining what a method or task consists of.
si Here "si" means “whether” and introduces the point being checked in "si ha cambiado la estructura de la oración". It is not introducing a condition in this sentence. Use "comprobar si..." when checking whether something is true or has happened.
ha In "ha cambiado", "ha" helps form the expression meaning “has changed”. It combines with the participle "cambiado" to describe a completed change relevant to the present check. Use "ha" with a participle in this kind of completed-action expression.
cambiado In "ha cambiado la estructura de la oración", "cambiado" means “changed”. Together with "ha", it says that the sentence structure has changed. Use "ha cambiado" when referring to a change that matters now.
la In "la estructura", "la" means “the” and identifies a singular feminine noun. It agrees with "estructura". Use "la" before a specific singular feminine noun.
estructura "Estructura" means “structure”, specifically the arrangement of the sentence in this lesson. In "la estructura de la oración", "de la oración" specifies what kind of structure is meant. You can use it when discussing the organization of a sentence, paragraph, or argument.
oración "Oración" means “sentence” in "la estructura de la oración". It identifies the language unit whose structure is being checked. Use it in academic or language-learning discussions about sentences.
A At the start of "A veces", "A" is part of the expression meaning “sometimes”. It does not mean “to” in this dialogue. Use the complete pattern "A veces" to introduce an action that happens on some occasions.
veces In "A veces cambio el vocabulario", "veces" contributes to the expression “sometimes”. The complete expression "A veces" describes an action that occurs occasionally. Use it at the beginning of a sentence or before the action being described.
cambio In "A veces cambio el vocabulario", "cambio" means “I change”. It describes the speaker changing the vocabulary of the paraphrase. Use it before an object, as in "cambio el vocabulario", when saying what you change.
el In "el vocabulario", "el" means “the” and identifies a singular masculine noun. It agrees with "vocabulario". Use "el" before a specific singular masculine noun.
vocabulario "Vocabulario" means “vocabulary” in the phrase "cambio el vocabulario". It refers to the words chosen in the paraphrase. You can use it when discussing the words used in a text or in someone’s language.
pero In "pero mantengo la lógica original", "pero" means “but” and introduces a contrast. The speaker changes the vocabulary but keeps the original logic. Use "pero" to connect two ideas that differ in this way.
mantengo In "mantengo la lógica original", "mantengo" means “I keep” or “I maintain”. It describes preserving the original logic while changing the vocabulary. Use it before the thing that remains unchanged, as in "mantengo..." plus an object.
lógica "Lógica" means “logic” here, referring to the reasoning or organization of the original source. In "mantengo la lógica original", it is what the speaker preserves. You can use it when discussing the reasoning in an argument or explanation.
original In "la lógica original", "original" means “original” and describes the logic taken from the source. It distinguishes that logic from the new wording. Use it after a noun when identifying something as belonging to the initial source or version.
Entonces At the beginning of "Entonces, la paráfrasis todavía puede depender demasiado de la fuente", "Entonces" means “then” and signals a conclusion from the previous statement. It connects the changed vocabulary with the remaining dependence on the source. Use it to introduce a result or inference in a discussion.
todavía In "todavía puede depender demasiado de la fuente", "todavía" means “still”. It shows that the paraphrase may remain too dependent despite the vocabulary change. Use it before the relevant verb or verb phrase when a situation continues.
puede In "puede depender demasiado de la fuente", "puede" means “can” or “may”, expressing possibility. It is followed by the infinitive "depender". Use "puede" plus an infinitive to describe what may happen or be possible.
depender In "puede depender demasiado de la fuente", "depender" means “to depend”. The phrase says that the paraphrase may rely excessively on the source. Use "depender de..." when naming what something relies on.
fuente In "de la fuente", "fuente" means “source”, referring to the original material behind the paraphrase. The preposition "de" marks what the paraphrase depends on. Use it when discussing the material from which information or ideas come.
Probablemente At the beginning of "Probablemente debería cerrar el artículo antes de redactar", "Probablemente" means “probably”. It signals that the speaker considers the action likely or advisable but not completely certain. Use it to soften a prediction or recommendation.
debería In "debería cerrar el artículo", "debería" means “should” and expresses the speaker’s considered course of action. It is followed by the infinitive "cerrar". Use "debería" plus an infinitive when giving yourself or someone else a cautious recommendation.
cerrar In "debería cerrar el artículo", "cerrar" means “to close”. The speaker plans to close the article before drafting, so as not to copy its wording too closely. Use "cerrar" with an object such as "el artículo" when ending access to or contact with something.
artículo "Artículo" means “article” in "cerrar el artículo". It refers to the source text the student is reading before writing a paraphrase. You can use it for an academic article or another written piece.
antes In "antes de redactar", "antes" means “before” and places drafting after another action. It is followed by "de" and the infinitive "redactar". Use the pattern "antes de" plus an infinitive to sequence two actions.
redactar In "antes de redactar", "redactar" means “to draft” or “to write”, especially in a formal academic context. The phrase says the student should close the article before beginning this action. Use it when referring to composing a formal text.
Eso At the beginning of "Eso puede obligarte a reconstruir la idea con tus propias palabras", "Eso" means “that” and refers to the previous suggestion. It makes that suggestion the subject of the next statement. Use "Eso" to refer back to an idea or action just mentioned.
obligarte In "puede obligarte a reconstruir la idea", "obligarte" means “to force you”. It combines the action of forcing with "te", the person affected. Use "obligar a alguien a" plus an infinitive when saying that someone is forced to do something.
reconstruir In "obligarte a reconstruir la idea", "reconstruir" means “to reconstruct” the idea. It describes expressing the source’s idea again in the learner’s own words. Use it after "obligar a alguien a" to name the action the person must perform.
idea "Idea" means “idea” in "reconstruir la idea con tus propias palabras". It is the meaning from the source that the student must express again. You can use it when discussing a point or concept in a text.
con In "con tus propias palabras", "con" means “with” and introduces the means used to express the idea. The complete phrase means “in your own words”. Use "con" to say what tool, means, or wording is used for an action.
tus In "tus propias palabras", "tus" means “your” and refers to one person’s words. It comes before the plural noun "palabras". Use "tus" before plural nouns when addressing one person and referring to something associated with that person.
propias In "tus propias palabras", "propias" means “own” and emphasizes that the words belong to the person doing the paraphrasing. It agrees with the plural noun "palabras". Use "propio"-type wording with a possessive to emphasize personal ownership or choice.
palabras "Palabras" means “words” in the expression "con tus propias palabras". The phrase emphasizes expressing an idea using wording chosen by the writer. Use it when discussing the wording someone uses to communicate.
También At the beginning of "También debería citar las afirmaciones", "También" means “also” and adds another responsibility to the earlier suggestion. It connects this action with the need to close the article before drafting. Use it to add a related point or action.
citar In "debería citar las afirmaciones", "citar" means “to cite”. It refers to acknowledging claims taken from a source, even when the wording changes. Use "citar" with the claim, source, or author being acknowledged.
afirmaciones "Afirmaciones" means “claims” in "citar las afirmaciones". It refers to statements or propositions from the source that need attribution. You can use it when discussing statements made or supported in academic writing.
aunque In "aunque la redacción sea diferente", "aunque" means “even though” or “although”. It introduces a condition that does not remove the need to cite the claims. Use "aunque" to acknowledge a difference or concession before stating the main point.
redacción "Redacción" means “wording” in "la redacción sea diferente". It refers to how the idea is expressed, rather than to the idea itself. You can use it when comparing the phrasing or written formulation of two texts.
sea In "aunque la redacción sea diferente", "sea" means “is” or “be” within the clause introduced by "aunque". It presents the wording as different while the citation requirement remains. Use the pattern "aunque ... sea..." to describe a concession about a situation.
diferente In "la redacción sea diferente", "diferente" means “different”. It describes the paraphrase’s wording as different from the source’s wording. Use it after a form of "ser" to describe how one thing differs from another.
esencial In "Eso es esencial", "esencial" means “essential” and describes citation as necessary. It emphasizes the importance of the practice in responsible paraphrasing. Use it to identify something that is necessary for a task or process.
porque In "porque las ideas también requieren atribución", "porque" means “because” and introduces the reason citation is essential. It links the conclusion with its explanation. Use "porque" before a clause that gives a reason.
ideas "Ideas" means “ideas” in "las ideas también requieren atribución". It refers to the underlying content, not only to the exact wording of a source. You can use it when discussing concepts communicated or taken from a text.
requieren In "las ideas también requieren atribución", "requieren" means “require”. It says that ideas need attribution even when their wording changes. Use it before the required thing, as in "requieren atribución".
atribución "Atribución" means “attribution” in "requieren atribución". It refers to identifying the source of an idea or claim. Use it in academic contexts when explaining that borrowed ideas must be credited.

Grammar Points

aunque + subjuntivo

Aunque se mantengan.

OON-keh seh mahn-TEN-gahn

Although they remain.

aunque takes the subjunctive when presenting a condition or situation without asserting it as a fact.

haber + participio: ha cambiado

La estructura ha cambiado.

lah es-trook-TOO-rah ah kahm-BYAH-doh

The structure has changed.

Spanish uses ha + past participle for a past change that remains relevant in the present.

Spanish Vocabulary

cerca de prep
SEHR-kah deh close to

cerca de las fuentes

comprobar verb
kohm-proh-BAHR to check / verify

es comprobar si

demasiado adv
deh-mah-see-AH-doh too / excessively

demasiado cerca

estructura noun
es-trook-TOO-rah structure

la estructura de la oración

fuentes noun
FOO-en-tehs sources

las fuentes

ha cambiado verb
ah kahm-BYAH-doh has changed

ha cambiado la estructura

mantengan verb
mahn-TEN-gahn stay / remain se mantengan

se mantengan demasiado cerca

oración noun
oh-rah-SYOHN sentence

de la oración

paráfrasis noun
pah-RAH-frah-sees paraphrases

mis paráfrasis

preocupa verb
preh-oh-KOO-pah worries

Me preocupa

prueba noun
PROO-eh-bah test

Una prueba útil

útil adj
OO-teel useful

Una prueba útil

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

useful

Show Answerútil

test

Show Answerprueba

paraphrases

Show Answerparáfrasis

too / excessively

Show Answerdemasiado