What do you call a restatement of a text in a different form or words, often for clarity?

The term that describes the act of restating a text in a different form or with different words for the sake of making it clearer is paraphrase. Paraphrasing involves taking an original passage and rewording it while preserving its essential meaning, which is particularly useful in academic and literary contexts where clarity and comprehension are critical. This technique allows readers to grasp complex ideas without the original wording potentially causing confusion.

While other terms like parody refer to a humorous or satirical imitation of a work, pathos relates to the emotional appeal within rhetoric, and pedantic describes an overly scholarly or formal approach that may focus more on minute details than on broader understanding, they do not encompass the core idea of restating for clarity that paraphrasing embodies. Thus, paraphrasing stands out as the most effective approach for enhancing understanding through reexpression in simpler or clearer terms.