PARAPHRASING

Paraphrasing
Some techniques on how to paraphrase or
to restate ideas:

I. Using one word instead of many

II. Using synonyms
III. Reducing Phrases or Clauses
IV. Changing sentences structure
 TECHNIQUES IN PARAPHRASING

1. Using one word instead of many

Example:
The people in the country will support the
reforms because these reforms will bring a
lot of good to the poor.

The citizens will support the reforms

because these reforms will benefit the poor.
 EXERCISE
Using one word instead of many
Substitute the underlined words in the following sentences with one word.
1. The majority of school children in this modern day and age feel that
studying history is old-fashioned and no longer useful.
2. When the businessman studied the differences and similarities between
the two proposed projects, he concluded that the first one was more
likely to achieve success.
3. The welfare officers found it difficult to believe that a mother could be so
cruel and violent to her children.
4. She was oblivious to the fact that making corrections to the article she
had written for the journal was taking up a long time.
5. The employee was immediately dismissed from the company because he
was disobedient and refused to follow the instructions from the superior
officer.
 TECHNIQUES IN PARAPHRASING

2 Using synonyms

Example:
They believe that the location of their
house is responsible for their misfortune.

They think that the site of their house is

responsible for their misfortune.
 EXERCISE
Using synonyms
Substitute the underlined word in each sentence with a
suitable synonym.
 
1. The calamity which was caused by a leak in the nuclear
plant resulted in the evacuation of thousands of people.
2. The killing was deliberate and a premeditated act of
violence.
3. The teenagers shocked their parents by dressing in
outlandish fashion.
4. Making impromptu speeches is an art, which can be
learnt.
TECHNIQUES IN PARAPHRASING

III. Reducing Phrases or Clauses

Example:
To end my argument above, I would
like to reiterate the most important
and essential point.

In conclusion, I would like to reiterate

the most crucial point.
 EXERCISE
Reducing Phrases or Clauses
Substitute shorter expressions for the phrases or clauses
underlined.
1. During the economic downturn both his father and mother
did not have jobs, so he had to stop schooling.

2. The company decided to retain her because the senior

officers were of the opinion that with time, she would be able
to develop her abilities and talents.

3. The man who was charged in court denied that he had done
anything illegal.

4. Feeling as if the whole world had come crashing down on

her, she just slumped on the chair as tears flowed from her
eyes.
 TECHNIQUES IN PARAPHRASING
IV. Changing sentences structure
 
Changing a complete sentence into dependent
clause

Example
Cliches are very common phrases and
expressions that are overused. Therefore, they
are no longer very effective when used.

Cliches are very common phrases and

expressions that are overused and no longer
effective.
Exercise
Sample
The original passage:
Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as
a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper.
Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as
directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the
amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking
notes.
 
Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.
 
A plagiarized version:
Students often use too many direct quotations when they take
notes, resulting in too many of them in the final research paper. In
fact, probably only about 10% of the final copy should consist of
directly quoted material. So it is important to limit the amount of
source material copied while taking notes.
Sample
The original passage:
Students frequently overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and as a
result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably
only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly
quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of
exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes.

A legitimate paraphrase:
In research papers students often quote excessively, failing to keep
quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually
originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material
recorded verbatim (Lester 46-47).
 
An acceptable summary:
Students should take just a few notes in direct quotation from sources
to help minimize the amount of quoted material in a research paper
(Lester 46-47).