Required Materials
Study Skills
5500 112
Experiential English II
Chulalongkorn University Language Institute
Second Semester, 2009
1
Paraphrasing Skill
What is paraphrasing?
Paraphrasing means rewriting a text in your own style but keeping all the
meaning of the original.
Paraphrasing Procedures

Read the original text carefully until you understand its full meaning.

Check the meaning of terms you do not understand in a dictionary or try to
guess the meaning from the context provided.

Identify and underline the key words and main ideas in the text and write these
ideas down.

Use quotation marks to identify any unique vocabulary you have copied from
the source.

Set the original aside and write your paraphrase on a piece of paper.

Check your version with the original to make sure that yours accurately
expresses all the essential information in a new form.
Suggested Paraphrasing Methods
The following are some useful paraphrasing methods:
1.
Use synonyms.
You may use words or phrases that mean the same as those in the original text
or try to make difficult words easier to understand. However, do not change technical
terms and proper names.
Original version

Hidden-video cameras are becoming increasingly popular.
Paraphrased version

Hidden-video cameras are becoming more popular.
2
Original version

Hidden-video cameras are becoming increasingly popular.
Paraphrased version

2.
Hidden-video cameras are becoming more frequently used.
Change the order in which ideas are presented.
You can also rearrange ideas in a different order as long as they still make
sense.
Original version

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand.
Paraphrased version

The capital city of Thailand is Bangkok.

Thailand’s capital city is Bangkok.
3.
Combine two short sentences and simplify their structure.
If the original contains several short sentences, a paraphrased version can be
more concise by combining them.
Original version

When playing online games, you can talk to people you are playing with.

Also, you can make friends with them.
Paraphrased version

You can talk and make friends with people you are playing online games
with.
4.
Change word forms.
You may change the word forms to vary the sentence structure.
3
a.
Change the main verb into a noun.
Original version

One result of playing word, puzzle and trivia games is that they can
improve children’s speech. [improve (v.)]
Paraphrased version

The improvement of children’s speech is one result of playing word,
puzzle, and trivia games. [improvement (n.)]
b.
Change a noun into a verb.
Original version

Parents should put restrictions on their children’s use of cell phones.
[restrictions (n.)]
Paraphrased version

5.
Parents should restrict their children’s use of cell phones. [restrict (v.)]
Change transitions
You can paraphrase by changing transitions e.g. because, when, although.
Original version

Hidden-video cameras are becoming increasingly popular due to their
proven effectiveness in monitoring abusive nannies and babysitters.
Paraphrased version

Hidden-video cameras are becoming increasingly popular because they
are effective in recording abuse by nannies and babysitters.
6.
Change from the active voice to the passive voice and vice versa.
When the original is in the active voice, change it to the passive voice.
4
Original version

Governments banned the use of asbestos in car brake pads more than
ten years ago.
Paraphrased version

The use of asbestos in car brake pads was banned (by governments)
more than ten years ago.
When the original is in the passive voice, change it to the active voice.
However, this method is only possible when the agent of the active verb is known or
can be assumed.
Original version

The world’s first digital camera was invented by Steven Sasson in 1975.
Paraphrased version

Steven Sasson invented the world’s first digital camera in 1975.
Key Point
When paraphrasing, you should combine several of these methods in order to
write a meaningful and accurate paraphrase. When completed, you must check your
version against the original to make sure that both contain the same basic information.
Examples:
Original version

Europe’s first clinic for people who are addicted to games has opened.
Paraphrased version

A clinic for game addicts has opened for the first time in Europe. (using a
synonym and changing the order in which ideas are presented)
Original version
 This clinic offers treatment for people who can’t leave their keyboards
alone.
Paraphrased version

Computer addicts can be treated in this clinic. (using a synonym and
changing the active voice to the passive voice)
5
References
1.
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/sumpara.html
-discusses differences between quoting, paraphrasing and summarizing.
2.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/619/01/
-discusses how to paraphrase correctly and accurately.
3.
http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/llonline/writing/informationtednology/sources/2.5.3.xml
-suggests a process for paraphrasing and summarizing.
4.
http://www.culi.chula.ac.th/expeng/howtoparaphrase/index.htm
6
Paraphrasing Exercise
Paraphrase the following sentences by using the methods suggested. Make
other changes where appropriate. You may use other methods if you wish as
long as the meaning is the same.
1.
If we persist with the treatment, we will have a huge debt.

Use synonyms for the underlined words.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
2.
Hidden-video cameras can give us a sense of safety.

Replace ‘sense of safety’ with ‘safe’.

Change the verb ‘give’.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
3.
We should have a right to assemble peacefully without surveillance.

Use synonyms.

Begin a paraphrase with ‘It’s our right to…’
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
4.
Doctors said that Terri Schiavo was in a persistent vegetative state.

Use ‘according to’.

Replace ‘was in a persistent vegetative state’ with ‘could not …’
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
7
5.
The police use hidden-video cameras. Therefore, they do not have to put their
lives in danger patrolling dangerous areas.

Use synonyms.

Make one sentence by replacing ‘therefore’ with ‘because’.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
6.
The entire town was devastated by the blaze.

Use synonyms.

Change from the passive voice to the active voice.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
7.
There has been a significant growth in the use of the Internet since 2000.

Change the word form of ‘growth’.

Change the order in which ideas are presented.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
8.
If you suspect your babysitter does not treat your child properly, get a hidden
camera.

Change from the passive voice to the active voice.

Use synonyms.

Replace ‘suspect’ with ‘be not sure whether’.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
8
9.
A person who is addicted to alcohol consumes more but gets less pleasure than
a person who drinks just to be sociable.

Use synonyms.

Replace ‘but’ with ‘although’
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
10.
The inadequacy of baggage carts is one of the major problems at the airport.

Change the order in which ideas are presented.

Use synonyms.
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………