Why is it important to paraphrase in your papers?
Paraphrasing is important because it shows you understand the source well enough to write it in your own words. It is important because it shows you and your reader (i.e. your lecturer) that you have understood the source sufficiently enough to write it in your own words.
Why do we need to paraphrase?
Paraphrasing requires, as mentioned, more understanding than merely copying the text, and in that way it helps your reader determine that you have understood the material and not just copied it.
What does it mean when you paraphrase?
Paraphrasing: To paraphrase is to include the ideas or information from an original source in your paper by rephrasing those ideas or information in your own words. Without proper citation, your paraphrase could be construed as plagiarism.
Why is it generally better to paraphrase than to quote?
It is generally better to paraphrase than to quote. Quotations tend to stick out. They draw attention to themselves and away from your ideas, so keep them to a minimum, and keep them short. If you can quote a few words or a phrase instead of an entire sentence, do it.