Paraphrasing Techniques (strategies to rewrite an idea in a different way)

Paraphrasing involves taking a set of statements, facts or opinions and rewording them. When
paraphrasing, it is important to keep the original meaning and to present it in a new form. Basically,
you are simply writing something in your own words that expresses the original idea.

1. Change from a Clause to a Phrase (or vice versa)

2. Change from Quoted Speech to Reported Speech (or vice versa)

3. Change from Active Voice to Passive Voice (or vice versa)

4. Change to Synonyms

5. Change Word Forms

6. Change the Word Order

7. Combine ideas or expressions (Synthesis)

8. Using Negatives or Opposite Expressions

Task 1: Match the examples with the types of paraphrases listed.

Original Paraphrase Types of paraphrases

a Sarah is an accurate typist.
b Japan is a large country in
comparison to most European nations.
c Mr. Lee said, “I am ready for lunch.”
d Jane wore a woolly hat and gloves to
keep her warm.
e After he studied, John took a nap.
f Most of the students failed to
complete the test.
g The price of a resort vacation
typically includes meals, tips and
equipment rentals, which makes your
trip more cost-effective.
h A hotel employee will carry your
bags.
Sarah types accurately. Word forms
Japan is not a small country in Using negatives or opposite
comparison to most European expressions
nations.
Mr. Lee said he was ready for lunch. Quoted speech to reported
speech
To keep her warm, Jane wore gloves Word order
and a woolly hat.
After studying, John took a nap. Clause to a phrase
A majority of the pupils didn’t finish Synonyms
the exam.
All-inclusive resort vacations can Synthesis (summarizing)
make for an economical trip.
Your bags will be carried by a hotel Active to passive Voice
employee.

Caution: When paraphrasing, do not change key terms or proper nouns.

You also may wish to combine two or more techniques in a single clause or sentence in
order to ensure an effective paraphrase is written.
 In addition, the examples in this document highlight mainly sentence structure changes;
successful paraphrases need to include more changes using synonyms.

Task 2: Complete the paraphrases below by filling in the gaps with missing words.
Underlined words should be altered or repositioned.

1 Despite increased spending on public transport, the services on offer haven’t improved.
phrase to a clause:
________ ________ ________ increased spending on public transport, the services on offer
haven’t improved.

2 Karl Marx stated that religion was the opium of the masses. reported speech to quoted speech:
Karl Marx ________: ‘‘religion ________ the opium of the masses’’.

3 The car engine will be repaired by the mechanic over the next week. passive voice to active voice:
The mechanic ________ ________ the ________ ________ over the next week.

4 Education is not a luxury, but a basic human right which should be available to everyone.
change to synonyms:
________ is not a ________ but a ________ human entitlement which ________ ____ be available
to ________.

5 Formalised examinations are the only effective method to assess a student’s performance.
change word formations:
________ ________ are the only method of ________ that works ________

6 Winning a talent contest was the best experience of my life! word order:
_____ ______ ________ of my life so far _____ ________ a ________ _______.

7 Malaria kills more than one million people annually, and the overwhelming majority of them are
children in sub-Saharan Africa. synthesis:
________ of the one million people who ______ annually from malaria are Sub-Saharan, ________
________.

8 Peter wanted some candy, but there wasn't any in the bowl. negative to affirmative statement:
Peter wanted some candy, but the bowl _____ ________.
Task 3: Rewrite the originals as paraphrases according to the instruction given.

1 We couldn’t go out yesterday, because it was raining. (clause to phrase)

_______________________________________________________________

2 “The Conservative party has won this year’s election,” the reporter announced.
(quoted speech to reported speech)
________________________________________________________________

3 The police arrested the suspect. (active – passive voice)

____________________________________________________________________

4 He has tons of stuff to throw away. (change to synonyms)

____________________________________________________________________

5 The value of the stock rose sharply. (word formation / word order)
____________________________________________________________________

6 Symptoms of influenza include fever and nasal congestion. (word order)

____________________________________________________________________

7 Dogs make for nice pets, as do cats, and many people also like birds and fish. (synthesis)
____________________________________________________________________

8 Mary was disappointed because the movie wasn’t very good. (positive to negative & vice-versa)
____________________________________________________________________
Freer Practice

Sentences
1 An astounding number of species are facing extinction in the wild.
2 The government ought to invest more funds in the arts for the cultural enrichment of society.
3 It is important that prisoners are provided with education and rehabilitation courses while
incarcerated.
4 University education is the key to gaining a successful career.
5 The most significant stage in a child’s development is said to be between birth and the age of 4.

Paragraph
The wide accessibility of the internet brings both positive and negative effects. One aspect of the
Internet which people are increasingly aware of is internet security. Advocates of internet tracking
and data collection believe that it helps marketers to understand what people want. Those who
oppose internet tracking believe that it is an invasion of privacy. This information age will cause
more and more people to become concerned with the level of personal detail that can be found
from the internet.

Practical application: Essays (topic statement to introduction)

Comment + essay outline

a) In order to solve traffic problems, governments should tax private car owners heavily and
use the money to improve public transportation.
To what extent do you agree with this view?

b) Overpopulation of urban areas has led to numerous problems, such as increased rates of
crime, unemployment and poverty.
Identify one or two serious ones and suggest ways that governments and individuals can
tackle these problems.

c) Some people believe that it is a good idea to share as much information as possible in
scientific research, business and the academic world. Others believe that some
information is too important or too valuable to be shared freely.
Discuss both these views and give your own opinion.