ELC 550: ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC WRITING

PARAPHRASING
INSTRUCTOR: NURHAFIZAH ALI
WHAT IS PARAPHRASING?

to restate or rewrite someone else’s ideas in your own words

a necessary skill in academic writing used to avoid plagiarism
demonstrates how well you understand the text
 GENERAL STEPS TO PARAPHRASING
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Read the text
thoroughly

Compare your
paraphrase to the Find the main idea
original text

Rely on your notes Look for the

rather than the relevant supporting
original text details

Write down the

points in your own
words
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PARAPHRASING TECHNIQUES

1.Synonyms
2.Active to Passive & Vice versa
3.Change parts of speech
4.Using Linkers and Conjunctions (combine the sentences)
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1. SYNONYM

Approximately 30000 students may be assisted by the proposed “free

lunch” program
About 30000 students may be helped by the planned “free lunch”
program

With the development of flash memory cards, the market for portable
music players jumped sharply
With the invention of flash memory cards, the demand for portable music
players increased significantly
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2. ACTIVE TO PASSIVE

She hates cats. (active)

Cats are hated by her. (passive)

The floor is swept every day by the cleaner. (passive)

The cleaner sweeps the floor every day. (active)

A child has swallowed a piece of plastic. (active)

A piece of plastic has been swallowed by the child. (passive)
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3. CHANGE THE PART OF SPEECH

You have to give us your decision by tomorrow.

You have to decide by tomorrow.

The president explains about it.

The president gives an explanation about it.

She dances gracefully.

She is a graceful dancer.

He is a creative designer for wedding dresses.

He designs wedding dresses creatively.
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4. USING LINKERS AND CONJUNCTIONS

I was sick. I went to work after taking medication. I had to submit my report
the following day.
Although I was sick, I went to work after taking medication as I had to
submit my report the next day.

Datuk Nicole David trains very hard. She wants to retain her position as the
World Number 1 squash player
If Datuk Nicole David wants to retain her position as the World Number 1
squash player, she needs to train very hard.
REFERENCE
Arumugam, N. et. Al. (2017). Step up academic writing skills. Malaysia:
UiTM Press.

THE END