When paraphrasing, you need to be careful not to plagiarize. Here are some helpful tips for paraphrasing: 

• Read the whole passage first before restating.
• Make sure you completely understand the passage. 
• Write down key information from the source.
• Put the original aside, and then re-write the passage in your own words using the key information. 
• Follow the rule of 3:
  • Three consecutive words that are identical to the original are considered a quotation and should be cited as a direct quote. It is no longer a paraphrase.