Paraphrase - Definition and Overview

Paraphrasing is the act in which a statement or remark is explained in other words or another way, as to clarify the meaning. Often, a paraphrase might substitute a euphemism for an actual statement, in order to avoid offense.

Paraphrases are also a type of literature arising, originally, out of biblical exegesis. In the early history of the Christian church, evangelists and missionaries needed the Gospel and the Pauline epistles written in a manner suitable for local populations and less educated priests. Therefore, various Church authorities had "paraphrases" issued. While, until the Reformation, the Bible remained in the Vulgate Latin (in the Western church), believers and pastors needed vernacular commentaries and explanations of scripture. The most famous of the paraphrases was probably The Paraphrases of Erasmus, a commentary on the Gospels written by D. Erasmus, which Edward VI of England ordered to be posted in all parish churches in England in 1547. The section of that paraphrase on the Gospel of John was translated into English by the Princess Mary.

In pedagogy, the creation of a paraphrase has been a student exercise since the medieval period in rhetoric. Students were required to write paraphrases of classical set pieces.

Example Usage of Paraphrase