Using paraphrase in writing

Adapted from:Davies, M. Quoting, plagiarism and quoting. University of Melbourne. Retrieved from: http://tlu.ecom.unimelb.edu.au/pdfs/crals/Lecture on 7th June 2008 andFolse, K.S., Mahnke, M.K., Solomon E.V., and Williams L. (2003) Blueprints 2 Composition skills for academic writers. USA. Thomson Heinle.

Learning outcomes

Apply the technique

s of paraphras

ing

Definition of paraphrase

Restate what has been said, or written, in a

different way

Use your own words to express another writer’s words and ideas

The importance of paraphrasing

To avoid plagiarism.

• To report ideas and information which belong to someone else.

• As an alternative to quoting.

Attributes of a good paraphrase

The use of different words to convey the same ideas and information as the original writing.

The length of the paraphrase is of almost equal length to the original.

Attributes of a good paraphrase

The grammar and vocabulary are not the same with the exception of technical terms.

The use of multiple paraphrasing techniques simultaneously

Techniques in paraphrasing

● Use synonyms

• Use varied sentence patterns

• Change the order of ideas

• Break long sentences into short ones

• Simplify abstract ideas

Technique 1: Using synonyms

Original

• stress

Paraphrased

• anxiety

• primary application • principle use

• at least 600 • about six hundred

Technique 2: Varying sentence structure

Original

Although at least 600 of the devices are used in the US, there are apparently only three in Britain.

Paraphrased

Britain has just three devices, whereas America uses around 600.

Technique 3: Changing the order of ideas

OriginalDektor claims that the muscle tightening occurs very quickly, and can change from one word to the next, so that it is possible to pick out a word or phrase that cause stress.

Paraphrased An anxiety-inducing

word or phrase may be obvious, as the muscles can tighten between words, according to Dexter.

Technique 4: Breaking long sentence into short ones

Original

In the US, the device is used for pre-employment interviews, with interviews such as “Have you used marijuana?” and for monthly checks with branch managers, asking questions like, “Do you suspect any present employees of cheating the company?” – which at least prevents a manager from setting his own pace to investigate possible suspicious behavior.

Paraphrased

The PSE is used in America to ask prospective employees if they have taken narcotics and to question financial managers about possible fraud in the company. This is a prevention against branch managers conducting their own investigations.

Technique 5: Simplifying abstract ideas

Original

Normally, but not under stress, these voluntary muscles vibrate at 8-12Hz, and this adds a clearly noticeable frequency-modulated component to the voice. The PSE works by analyzing this infrasonic FM component.

Paraphrased

The PSE analyzes vibrations of muscles in the mouth and throat which usually vibrate at 8-12Hz. However, under stress, these muscles tighten and the PSE can identify this change in the voice.

Introducing an outside sourceUse the phrase “According to…” followed by

the name of the author.

• For example: According to Amin…

• In …(the name of the author) view…

• For example: In Amin’s view…

Introducing an outside sourceUse the name of the source with these verbs:

state, say, argue, believe, reveal, conclude, report or suggest

• These verbs can be used in the present or past tense.

• Hanlon suggested there was a need to prevent the widespread use of the Dektor in the UK.

On a final note

Always ensure information

paraphrased is true to the

original

Use a variety of

paraphrasingtechniques

The end