PARAPHRASING Paraphrasing is using your own words to

�Paraphrasing is using your own words to report someone else’s writing, but maintaining an

Rewriting a text for the purpose of including it in your own writing can

�By changing the verb form (e. g. from active to passive: this can change

� By changing the word class (e. g. from verb to noun phrase) e.

�By synthesis �You may need to combine two or more viewpoints or pieces of

Example of a synthesis �Johns and Dudley-Evans (1980) touched on the problems created by

�Two direct quotations are given below relating to the same topic (note taking). Paraphrase

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PARAPHRASING

�Paraphrasing is using your own words to report someone else’s writing, but maintaining an academic style. �Like in summarizing, paraphrasing involves looking for topic sentences and keywords in the original text (the main information/ points). �References must always be given to the sources of the texts you are making use of; otherwise you may be accused of plagiarism (using someone else’s ideas or words as if they were your own).

Rewriting a text for the purpose of including it in your own writing can be done in several ways: �By changing the vocabulary e. g. She examined the difficulties that… = She investigated the problems that… �Rewrite the following: Smith and Jones (1991) found that the circumstances had…

�By changing the verb form (e. g. from active to passive: this can change the focus or emphasis) e. g. Johns (1987) analyzed the students’ difficulties and … = The students’ difficulties were analyzed by Johns (1987) �Rewrite the following Brown and White (1994) observed the problems caused by seminars…

� By changing the word class (e. g. from verb to noun phrase) e. g. The reports were completed in April… = The completion of the reports in April ensured that the students had time to revise before their examination. Suggest a different continuation after: The completion of the reports in April… � Rewrite the following and add an appropriate comment of your own: James and Harris (1984) concluded that there was a need for note-taking practice.

�By synthesis �You may need to combine two or more viewpoints or pieces of information from other writers in your paraphrase and summary. Often one reference will support another, but there may be opposing views as well.

Example of a synthesis �Johns and Dudley-Evans (1980) touched on the problems created by the lecturers’ use of colloquial words and phrases…This use of informal language was also noted by Jackson and Bilton (1994) who investigated geology lectures given in English…

�Two direct quotations are given below relating to the same topic (note taking). Paraphrase and combine them in a brief report (not using direct quotations). ‘Terseness of note taking…rather than mere quantity seems to be an essential ingredient of effective… note taking. ’ (Dunkel, 1988) ‘several other researchers have found similar positive relationships between ‘terseness’ of notes and test performance…’ (Chaudron, Loschky and Cook, 1994)