PARAPHRASING

WHAT IS PARAPHRASING?

◼ To rephrase or rewrite the work of someone else in your own words to include the
main ideas and arguments
◼ Fundamental to note taking and academic writing
◼ A good paraphrase will contain no direct quotation from original source
STEPS INVOLVED IN PARAPHRASING
1. First, read the text thoroughly. As you read, guess the meanings of unfamiliar words
2. Ask yourself, “What is the main idea of the text?”. If the main idea is not directly
stated, look back over the paragraph to help you find the key words
3. Next, look out for relevant supporting details of the text to be included in your
paraphrase
4. Remember to write down all important points in your own words. Do not copy the
text word unless you want to quote it.
5. When you rewrite the text, rely on your notes rather than the original texts.
6. Finally, compare your paraphrase to the original text to ensure that you have used
your own words and maintain the original meaning of the text.
PARAPHRASING STRATEGIES

◼ Strategy 1: Using synonyms

◼ Strategy 2: Using Varied Sentence Pattern
◼ Strategy 3: Retelling Method
◼ Strategy 4: Chunking Method
STRATEGY 1: USING SYNONYMS

◼ Example
The percentile of poverty has exploded in the last decades
Answer: The percentile of poor people has grown in the last ten years
STRATEGY 2: USING VARIED SENTENCE PATTERN

◼ Change the sentence pattern without changing its meaning

◼ Change a sentence from active to passive/passive to active
◼ Change nouns to verb without altering its meaning
◼ Change adjective to adverbs or adverbs to adjectives
◼ Use of linkers; although, therefore, because, unless, so that
CHANGE THE SENTENCE PATTERN WITHOUT CHANGING ITS MEANING

Technology can improve the quality of life if we plan carefully for

the future.
Paraphrase:
Technology can enhance the quality of human life if due
consideration is given for planning for the future
CHANGE A SENTENCE FROM ACTIVE TO PASSIVE/PASSIVE TO
ACTIVE

◼ A piece of plastic has been swallowed by the child.

◼ Paraphrase:
◼ A child swallowed a piece of plastic
CHANGE NOUNS TO VERB WITHOUT ALTERING ITS MEANING

◼ The imprisonment of a number of under-aged teenagers by

the police was criticised by the public
◼ Paraphrase: The public condemned the police for imprisoning
several juveniles
CHANGE ADJECTIVE TO ADVERBS OR ADVERBS TO ADJECTIVES

◼ He spoke eloquently in the public speaking competition

◼ Paraphrase: He was an eloquent speaker in the public speaking
competition
USE OF LINKERS; ALTHOUGH, THEREFORE, BECAUSE, UNLESS, SO THAT

◼ I was sick. I went to work after taking medication. I had to

submit my report the following day
◼ Paraphrase: Although I was sick, I went to work after taking
medication as I had to submit my report the next day.
STRATEGY 3: RETELLING METHOD

How do you retell a text?

1. Read the original text and understand it
2. Note down key points
3. Put away original text
4. Refer to notes and retell using own words
5. Ensure all important notes are included
STRATEGY 4: CHUNKING METHOD

How does chunking work?

1. Read original text thoroughly
2. Divide the passage into chunks by underlining main ideas
3. Focus on phrases rather than individual words
4. Explain each chunks using own words
5. Combine these explanations
6. Restructure the chunks of ideas
PRACTICE 1

Regardless of our efforts, we will age and along with ageing

comes physical and mental impairment and the potential need for
long-term care. Like it or not, Our ageing population will
continue to increase over time primarily due to falling birth rate
and longevity.
PRACTICE 2

◼ Early childhood is generally defined as the first five years

of life. This is the time when a child’s brain is most
receptive to influences of the environment. It is the
most critical period during the entire life of a child for
physical, cognitive, social and emotional skills
development. Researchers suggest parents and family
play an important role in early childhood development