BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING PARAPHRASING THIS IS STRICTLY FOR INTERNAL CIRCULATION ONLY 1 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Paraphrasing means taking another person's idea and restating it using your own words. The word paraphrase itself can be split into /par (equal) /a / phrase /, which means a phrase equal to the original, but written in other words and in a different format. Paraphrasing can be quite challenging for some of you. Below are some of the common problematic areas: 1. Students tend to copy important parts of the original text, word for word. Substantial verbatim replication of the text, often known as "near copy" (Campbell, 1990) or "patch writing" (Howard, 1996), is not paraphrasing but plagiarism. 2. When attempting to paraphrase, students tend to make superficial changes such as substituting with words from a thesaurus. However, using synonyms out of context may distort the original meaning of the text. 3. Students tend to use the same sentence structure as the original, failing to realize that when they substitute one word for another it may be necessary to change the sentence structure. 4. Students are sometimes under the impression that when they paraphrase it is not necessary to cite the original source. THREE CONDITIONS FOR A GOOD PARAPHRASE For a paraphrase to be considered acceptable and legitimate, it must fulfill three conditions. Condition Dos and Don’ts • • • Your paraphrase must have the same meaning as the original. 2 Include all important ideas. Don't add any new ideas. Don't alter the tone and original intention. BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING • You should use your own words. • • • Change the vocabulary as much as possible. Change the sentence structure as much as possible. Don't copy more than five words in a row. Don't copy distinctive vocabulary; quote it instead. You should cite the original source (i.e. Include in-text citations. telling readers where you got the (Refer to chapter 3 on documenting information). evidence.) Let us look at some examples. Original: Latin language was the principal language of Western Europe for hundreds of years. It was the language of the Roman Empire and the Roman soldiers and traders took it wherever they went. Latin, because of its precise expressions, was the perfect language for law and government. Source: The World Book Encyclopedia. (2000). Language. Chicago: World Book Inc. Paraphrase: According to The World Book Encyclopedia, for centuries the primary language of Western Europe was Latin. This language of the Roman Empire was spread through war and trade. Since it had exact terms, Latin was ideal for the use of law and government. This is a good paraphrase as it meets all the three conditions: the original meaning is retained there is rewording, and credit is given to the source. Look at paraphrase A and paraphrase B. Do the paraphrases meet all three conditions? How can the paraphrases be improved? Paraphrase A: Latin language was the primary language of Western Europe for many years. It was the language of the Roman Empire. The Roman soldiers and traders took it wherever they went. Latin, because of its concise expressions, was the perfect language for law and government. (The World Book Encyclopedia, 17, 114.) 3 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Paraphrase B: For centuries the primary language of Western Europe was Latin. This language of the Roman Empire was spread through war and trade. Due to its exact terms, Latin was ideal for the use of law and government. Paraphrase A is unacceptable; it constitutes plagiarism because it is too similar to the original text. The lack of rewording can be seen in the first sentence, where only two terms have been changed {primary substitutes principal, and many substitutes hundreds of). The second sentence in the original is broken up into two shorter sentences showing no major change to the sentence structure ("It was the language of the Roman Empire and the Roman soldiers and traders took it wherever they went" substituted with "It was the language of the Roman Empire. The Roman soldiers and traders took it wherever they went"). In the fourth sentence, the meaning of the original text is distorted by the incorrect use of the word concise. Concise means short or brief, while the original text uses precise, which means exact or accurate. Paraphrase B is also unacceptable; it constitutes plagiarism because the source is not cited. PARAPHRASING METHODS There are many methods of paraphrasing. In this chapter, we will discuss three commonly used methods. 1. Grammar Help Method 2. Retelling Method 3. Chunking Method Grammar Help Method A simple way to paraphrase is by changing grammar and vocabulary to form a new sentence, yet maintaining the meaning of the original sentence. This method is nothing new; you have been using it all along, perhaps without realising it. We call it the Grammar Help Method. It is useful when paraphrasing short sentences. 4 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING This method is often used with other methods simultaneously to form a complete paraphrase. It can also be used as a pre-paraphrasing activity. Steps 1. Read the original sentence several times until you truly grasp the meaning of the sentence. 2. Underline the important words, phrases and ideas that need to be included in the paraphrase. 3. Change the vocabulary, grammar and sentence structure of the original sentence as much as possible. (Refer to "Help techniques" below.) 4. Check your paraphrased version against the original for accuracy of meaning. Help techniques 1. Substitute some of the words with synonyms. Original: The teacher sauntered into the canteen. Revised: The instructor strolled into the cafeteria. 2. Change the verb to negative. Original: The nurse remembered to give the patient his medication. Revised: The nurse did not forget to give the patient his medication. 3. Change the voice by changing active sentences to passive sentences and passive sentences to active. Original: This new drug can prolong human life. Revised: Human life can be prolonged by this new drug. 4. Change the parts of speech. (a) Change nouns to verbs. Original: The execution of many innocent civilians by terrorists was denounced by the government. Revised: The government denounced terrorists who executed many innocent civilians. 5 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING (b) Change verbs to nouns. Original: She advertised her products online. Revised: She took out an advertisement for her products online. Original: It is not necessary to introduce a new system as we can amend the old one. Revised: It is not necessary to introduce a new system as amendments to the old one can be made. c) Change adverbs to adjectives. Original: He drives the car carefully. Revised: He is a careful driver. Original: Politically, it was a smart move. Revised: From a political point of view, it was a smart move. d) Change adjectives to adverbs. Original: He made a quick decision. Revised: He made the decision quickly. • Move the parts of the sentence to change the sentence structure. Original: The police sprayed tear gas, hoping to disperse the crowd. Revised: Hoping to disperse the crowd, the police sprayed tear gas. • Use sentence linkers to combine phrases and sentences, such as but and however for contrast, if and unless for conditions, because and as for causes, in order to and so that for purposes, therefore and hence for consequences, and so on. Original: My wife loves beach holidays. I like spending my vacations in the mountains instead. Revised: Although my wife loves beach holidays, I prefer mountain vacations. 6 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Retelling Method Another way to paraphrase is by retelling. In the retelling method, you concentrate on understanding what the text means. Then, you put away the original text and explain to yourself the meaning of the text in your own words. With practice, you will find that you are able to retell the text in a completely new way. Steps 1. 2. Read the original sentence several times until you have fully understood its meaning. Put away the original text, or minimize the view of the electronic text so that you will not be tempted to look at it. 3. Write the paraphrase as you understand it, using your own words. 4. Check your paraphrase with the original to make sure that your version captures the original idea. Let us look at examples using this technique. Original: Companies today are exploring e-learning by conducting studies in some sectors to determine its effective use. There is still the perception that it is not as good as classroom education, but it has unique benefits. Source: Schooley, C. (2003). The perception of e-learning in the cooperate marketplace. ELearning, 7(3), 20-31. Paraphrase: Corporations are carrying out research on the efficient use of e-learning in a few areas. Although e-learning has its special advantages, it is still viewed as inferior to traditional learning (Schooley, 2003). Original: The shimmering white glove Michael Jackson wore when he premiered his trademark moonwalk dance in 1983 was auctioned off for US$350,000. Source: Dobnik, V. (2009, November 23). Gleaming glove sold. Associated Press. Paraphrase: The glittering white glove, made famous when Michael Jackson introduced the world to the moonwalk dance back in 1983, was sold for US$350,000, according to Dobnik from Associated Press. ** In both examples, the main ideas from the original text have been included in the paraphrase but reworded, and the sentence structure has been altered. 7 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Chunking Method The chunking method is often used when paraphrasing longer paragraphs. Longer passages are sometimes difficult to comprehend, so you can break up, or chunk, the original text into more manageable pieces. Once you have divided the sentence into manageable chunks, work on explaining the meaning of each chunk using your own words. Steps 1. Read the original text several times until you have fully understood its meaning. 2. Divide the text into chunks. It is better to chunk the text into phrases than into individual words. 3. Focus on the meaning of each chunk. Restate the meaning using your own words. 4. Join your new phrases to form the paraphrase. Check and double-check that the ideas in each sentence are logically linked. 5. Include your in-text citation in the paraphrase. 6. Read the paraphrase carefully; make sure it expresses all the important information accurately in a new form. Below is an example of paraphrasing by chunking. Original: [The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century] [because of increased supply], [improved cutting and polishing techniques], [growth in the world economy] [and successful marketing strategies]. Source: Harlow, G. E. (1998). The nature of diamonds. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 8 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Chunk Using your own words The popularity of diamonds has risen since the 19th century since the 1800s diamonds have become increasingly popular because of increased supply due to greater production improved cutting and polishing techniques better cutting and polishing methods growth in the world economy expansion of the global economy and successful marketing strategies as well as effective advertising plans Note: Cutting and polishing are common terms used in the processing of diamonds. Hence, it is not necessary to change them. Paraphrase: Harlow (1998) writes that ever since the 1800s, diamonds have become increasingly popular. He explains that this is due to greater production, better cutting and polishing methods, expansion of the global economy as well as effective advertising plans. *** When Not to Paraphrase: Specialized Vocabulary *** Each field of study has its own jargon or specialized vocabulary. These are terms which are commonly used and understood by the people involved in that line of work. For example, Internet terminology includes hack, cookie, spider and cache. Since these words are common terms related to the particular discipline, you need not attempt to paraphrase them. 9 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING REPORTING VERBS AND INTRODUCTORY PHRASES One of the most important conditions for a good and legitimate paraphrase is to cite the source. In order to do so, you have to use reporting verbs when introducing the author. It can be quite confusing for you, as there are many different verbs and each verb has somewhat different meaning. Verbs also differ in terms of their strength. Using the correct verb depends on how you interpret what the author is saying. Therefore, it is very important that you read the text carefully and interpret the author's ideas correctly. Basically, reporting verbs for research can be divided into three categories* neutral, tentative and strong verbs. Neutral verbs are used to mainly "say" what the author does or does not do. When you use neutral verbs, you are not judging the author's ideas or work; hence the term "neutral". Introductory phrases using NEUTRAL verbs (basically meaning "say") The author says ... The author states .. . The author believes . . . The author acknowledges . . . The author notes .. . The author reveals .. . The author declares .. . The author thinks .. . The author comments .. . The author responds .. . The author remarks .. . The author confirms .. . The author explains .. . The author describes .. . The author reports . .. The author demonstrates . .. The author mentions . .. The author indicates .. . The author suggests .. . The author expresses .. . The author points out. .. The author discusses .. . The author shows . . . The author observes .. . Tentative verbs are used when you are inclined to believe in the author's ideas or work, but you are still hesitant about it; hence the term "tentative". 10 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Exercise 1 Indicate which option expresses the same meaning as the sentence in bold. 1. Politicians should remember that voters expect promises to be carried out. a. It should be remembered that people look forward to politician pledges. b. Let politicians not forget that their supporters expect them to keep their word. c. Politicians know that the people want them to keep their promises. 2. Wait at least half an hour after a meal before exercising. a. You should only exercise 30 minutes after eating. b. Eat for 30 minutes after doing exercise. c. Make sure meals are consumed half an hour after exercising. 3. The students were worried about passing the difficult examination. a. Getting through the hard test bothered the students. b. Not failing the hard examination was a constant concern for the students. c. Obtaining a passing grade on the challenging assessment was what the students hoped for. 4. The survey revealed that most of the respondents made little use of English. a. A high percentage of the participants in the survey claimed to use much English. b. There was little reduction in the usage of English among those who were surveyed. c. The majority of the subjects in the survey did not use much English. 5. The judge gave the verdict without fear or favour. a. The judgement was enforced equally and fairly. b. The decision made by the judge was unbiased. c. Just decision was handed out to the judge. Exercise 2 11 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Paraphrase the following sentences. Use the words in the brackets to help you. 1. The country's meat industry was hardly able to meet local demand. (barely, domestic) The nation's _______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ 2. The traffic jam this year is considered minimal compared to previous years. (congestion, reduction) In comparison______________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ 3. "What can I do to get your attention?" (wonder) I ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4. The death toll of China's latest coal mine disaster has reached 100. (died, catastrophe) One hundred ____________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 5. I am happy that I'm still working while a lot of people I started out with no longer working. (contemporaries, employed) I am glad_________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 12 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING 6. UNICEF has pushed for India, home to one-fifth of the world's child population, to stop child marriages. (urged, halt) UNICEF___________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ 7. What others say or think about you always seems to carry a higher value than what you say about yourself. (matter more) Other people's ______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 8. Malaysian celebrity chef Nabilah Razak demonstrated the preparation of traditional desserts. (popular, sweets) Malaysia's__________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 9. Women are selling off their kidneys to pay their bills. (make ends meet) To ________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 10. Job appraisal can be a nerve-wrecking experience for some people. (find, evaluation) Some employees _____________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 13 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Exercise 3 Paraphrase the following statements using the Grammar Help Method . 1. You may be expelled if you fail to observe the school's strict rules, (result) Failure ____________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________ 2. Rumour has it that the Prime Minister is about to announce the date for the 16th general election (GE16), (verge) The Prime Minister is said_____________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. One seldom gets the chance to meet Prince William in person, (get) Rarely_____________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 4. Decisions about the entertainment for the conference will be left to the chairman, (up) It will ______________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 5. His patients were completely surprised when the surgeon decided to resign from government service, (took) The surgeon's _______________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 14 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Exercise 4 Paraphrase the following statements using the Grammar Help Method . 1. In Malaysia, certain prices, such as the price of cooking oil, are controlled by the government. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 2. If a population is to grow, the birth rate must be higher than the death rate. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 3. The candidate submitted his application at the eleventh hour. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 4. The Olympic Games began more than 2,000 years ago in Olympia, Greece; however, women were forbidden to participate in the events. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 5. Pictures that showed the brutality of war entered the living room of millions of TV watchers on the nightly news. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 15 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING 6. Institutes of higher education should revise their curricula to reflect contemporary needs. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 7. Mood-influencing drugs may be useful for treating certain illnesses but are dangerous if used for other purposes. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 8. The "Green Revolution" of the 1960s increased global food production by introducing highyielding varieties of crops. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 9. The Indians who lived in Peru before the discovery of the New World by Europeans belonged to the Incan culture. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 10. According to research, hypertension is about twice as prevalent in patients with diabetes as in those without the disease. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 16 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Exercise 5 1. Study the list of reporting verbs given below. Circle the reporting verbs that can be used to introduce an author’s strong claim. argue note assert claim remark mention 2. Study the list of reporting verbs given below. Circle the reporting verbs that can be used to introduce an author's tentative claim. confirm speculate maintain suggest propose agree 3. Study the list of reporting verbs given below. Circle the reporting verbs that can be used to introduce an important point the author wishes to make. contend emphasize say stress point out mention 4. Study the list of reporting verbs given below. Circle the reporting verbs that can be used to introduce a paraphrase in which the author offers advice to readers. caution indicate imply deny warn urge 17 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Exercise 6 Use any of the methods suggested in this chapter or use a combination of methods to paraphrase the following paragraphs. Q1 Locally produced party drugs are not only cheaper and more easily available but they also come mixed with a host of other harmful ingredients. Source: Yip, Y. T. (2019, November 23). Party drugs that kill. The Star, p. N3. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Q2 Children of tense parents who lived in the polluted areas were far more likely to have asthma than friends in the same neighbourhood. Source: Wang, C. (2017, July 21). Stressed parents up asthma risk. BBC News, p. Dl. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Q3 Men live 8 to 10 years less than women. They have higher rates of stress- related disorders, alcoholism, car accidents and suicides. In sum, the male role is hazardous to men's health. Source: Santrock, J. (2021). Adolescence. Teen Issues, p. 33. ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ 18 BOOKLET 2 - PARAPHRASING Q4 With the rising costs of airfares and the increasing time it takes to get through security at the airports, more and more families are deciding to travel by car for their vacation. Most of us with young children are returning to the days we grew up in where we travelled most places by car with our parents. Source: Kimbell, J. (2019). 10 tips when travelling by car with children. Travelling Today, 3, ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 7 Paraphrase the following paragraph. Women from North America, Western Europe, and Australia/New Zealand who travel internationally are likely to be astonished and chagrined by the way they are regarded in some overseas cultures, where ideas of appropriate feminine behaviour can be quite different. In some countries, a woman who outranks a man may not be treated that way by hosts; they may still speak to and prefer to negotiate with the male, assuming he is her superior. In Asian countries and Muslim countries, women may find they are omitted from substantive conversation or overlooked in negotiations because of designated gender roles. Sometimes, a woman can establish greater credibility by clarifying her title, role and responsibilities in writing before a personal visit, but even this step won't guarantee the desired effect. Source: Reproduced with permission from McGraw-Hill Companies. From Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Business and the Professions by Adler, R., & Elmhorst, J. M. Copyright © 2008 McGraw-Hill Companies. This chapter is adapted from: Writing with Sources: A guidebook for Academic Writers K. Karuthan, N.A. Abdullah, A. M. Muhammad Credit : Aida AR, Aisyah Nurhuda AR & Nur Huda MA 19