Paraphrasing

A paraphrase is an extract from another source re-written by another person. A paraphrase contains all or most of the points of the original text and is around the same length.

Paraphrasing attempts restating the relevant information.

To rewrite the idea from the original text in your own words.

Paraphrasing

An effective paraphrase usually:

1.has a different structure to the original

2.has mainly different vocabulary

3.Keeps the same meaning

4.keeps some phrases from the original that are in important.

Paraphrasing

5 C’s Guide to Paraphrasing:1.Comprehend – understand the text

2.Change – change structure and words

3.Combine – combine ideas if possible

4.Check– check if the meaning is the same

5.Cite – cite the external sources

Techniques for Paraphrasing

1. Change to Synonyms

1.1 The manager was content with the report.

1.2 The manager was happy with the report.

2.1 The millionaire has many expensive cars.

2.2 The millionaire owns a lot of luxury cars.

See Textbook Page 81 Exercise (a)

Parts of Speech– Noun, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, pronouns, preposition, conjunction, etc.

The common change – Noun to Verb, Verb to Noun or Adjectives to Noun.

1.1 Malaysia develops its own eco-friendly cars…

1.2 The development of eco-friendly cars in Malaysia…

2.1 John is an accurate typist.

2.2 John types accurately.

2. Change Word Form

See Textbook Page 82 Exercise (b)

1.1 Her name is Jane.

1.2 Jane is her name.

2.1 The little girl looks so cute when she has a flower in her hand.

2.2 When the little girl holds a flower in her hand, she looks very adorable.

3.1 The best explanation for the British location of the industrial revolution is found by studying demand factors.

3.2 A focus on demand may help explain the UK origin of the industrial revolution.

3. Change Word Order

See Textbook Page 82 Exercise (c)

4. Change from a Clause to a Phrase

1.1 After he ate lunch, John took a nap.

1.2 After eating lunch, John took a nap.

2.1 The house that is across the street is old.

2.2 The house across the street is old.

5. Change from Quoted Speech to Indirect Speech

Mrs. Lee said, “I am ready for lunch.”

Mrs. Lee said she was ready for lunch.

6. Change from Active Voice to Passive Voice

1.1 Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.

1.2 The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.

2.1 The scientist uses the kit.

2.2 The kit is used by the scientist.

7. Change transitions 1.1 Although it was raining, Bob walked to

work.

1.2 It was raining, but Bob walked to work.

1.3 It was raining; however, Bob walked to work.

1.4 Despite the rain, Bob went to work on foot.

8. Change Sentence Type1.1 She studies hard, for she wants to get a scholarship. [compound]

1.2 Because she wishes to receive a scholarship, she spends a lot of time studying. [complex]

2.1 The news reported that monsoon was coming to the north. [s/v]

2.2 According to the news, the monsoon was approaching the northern part. [phrase]

9. Combine Sentences1.1 When it rains heavily, don’t forget your umbrella. 1.2 You shouldn’t be in an open area.

1.3 Be sure to bring an umbrella and avoid an open area during the heavy rain.

2.1 Van Gogh was a great Dutch. painter. 2.2 He became famous posthumously.

2.3 Van Gogh, who was a great Dutch painter, became well-known after his death.

10. Combine Techniques: Change to a phrase & add synonyms or definitions

1.1 After he ate lunch, John took a nap.

1.2 After eating lunch, John slept a little.

2.1 The house that is across the street is old.

2.2 The dwelling on the other side of the road is ancient.

1. The working team forecasted a big increase in sales.

2. The department’s summary shows the continuous increase in sale.

3. Archibald McLeish, known for his poetry, was appointed head of the library of congress by President Roosevelt in 1939.

4. A local newspaper claims that 75% of all homeless people do not like homeless shelters and prefer to live as they do now.

Activity: Paraphrase the following:

1. The working team forecasted a big increase in sales.

The working team predicted a massive rise in sales.

2. The department’s summary shows the continuous increase in sale.

The department summarizes that sale increases continuously.

Activity: Paraphrase the following:

3. Archibald McLeish, known for his poetry, was appointed head of the library of congress by President Roosevelt in 1939.

President Roosevelt nominated Archibald McLeish, who was famous for his poetry, as head of the library of congress.

4. A local newspaper claims that 75% of all homeless people do not like homeless shelters and prefer to live as they do now.

An article in a local newspaper reports that three out of four homeless people think that the streets are better than the so-called homeless shelters.

5. A woman who was nominated by the president to head the department was quickly approved by the board of trustees.

6. College students today are the first groups of students to need the Internet for most of their schoolwork.

5. A woman who was nominated by the president to head the department was quickly approved by the board of trustees.

The board of trustees agreed with the president to appoint a woman head of the department.

6. College students today are the first groups of students to need the Internet for most of their schoolwork.

The current generation of students in higher education today is the first to use the internet for the majority of their studies.

Lekin (1998) suggests that the proper use of authentic reading materials such as newspapers “can efficiently promote learning, critical thinking, creativity and resourcefulness in learners of all ages” (p. 3).

Lekin (1998) suggests that the proper use of authentic reading materials such as newspapers “can efficiently promote learning, critical thinking, creativity and resourcefulness in learners of all ages” (p. 3).

Using authentic reading materials appropriately can foster learners’ L2 development, as well as their capacity to think critically, creatively, and to use resources effectively (Lekin, 1998).

Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time. - George Bernard Shaw (1920)

“No historian should begin research with someone else’s notes. Taking notes is the first (and perhaps most important step) in developing our own interpretation of a subject. It forces us to decide (again and again) what is interesting and important” (Reuben, 2005, p. 413)