Techniques in Paraphrasing Texts

Paraphrasing as an Integrative Writing Skill

This set of notes summarizes Techniques in Paraphrasing Texts from the transcript for English for Academic and Professional Purposes. The material frames paraphrasing as an essential, integrative writing skill useful for academic papers. It presents multiple techniques, practical steps, and examples (original versus paraphrased) to help students identify how ideas can be restated without changing meaning, while also highlighting cautions such as preserving proper nouns, technical terms, and citations. The content is organized around a sequence of engage-explore-explain-extend-evaluate prompts, with concrete activities, models, and reminders that connect to broader writing practice, including definitions, attributions, form, and word choice. The core objective is to enable students to identify techniques, practice paraphrasing quotations and passages, and understand how different strategies affect tone, structure, and emphasis while maintaining accuracy and ethical use of sources.

Learning objectives and core questions

The lesson sets explicit aims: (1) identify different techniques for paraphrasing, and (2) practice paraphrasing different quotations and passages. These objectives are introduced alongside a prompt: "How can you relate the quotation to paraphrasing different texts?" The material emphasizes that paraphrasing is an integral skill for writing academic papers, enabling reformulation of ideas while preserving meaning and context. An essential question asks how to rewrite text without altering the underlying ideas and context. Throughout, the module reinforces that paraphrase should reflect careful word choice, sentence structure, and attribution signals, all while staying faithful to the original information.

Paraphrasing by changing words (changing parts of speech)

Paraphrasing by changing words involves altering the form of words to switch parts of speech or to reposition meaning through statistical replacement. The basic steps include (1) identifying which words can safely be changed (e.g., noun to verb, adjective to adverb), (2) rewriting the sentence or passage with the new form, and (3) checking that the original and paraphrased sentences retain similar meaning. A key demonstration is: Original: "Wake up determined; go to bed satisfied." Paraphrased: "Wake up with determination; go to bed with satisfaction." This shows how changing a word form or part of speech can preserve sense while adjusting expression.

Paraphrasing by changing words—more examples

The module provides several illustration pairs to show how word changes influence paraphrase quality. For instance, changing a noun to a verb, an adjective to an adverb, or vice versa is employed to maintain meaning while altering surface form. Another example contrasts an original sentence with a paraphrase that substitutes key terms while keeping the intent intact.

Paraphrasing by using synonyms

Using synonyms allows the writer to replace original words with others that carry the same or very similar meanings. The process supports maintaining the sense of the text while varying diction. A representative example contrasts:

Original: "The semisolid nature of the material allowed for more creative ideas."
Paraphrased: "The plasma-like material made more innovative concepts possible."
This demonstrates how substitution of terms can shift imagery while preserving core meaning. The Tips section notes that writers may consult a thesaurus or dictionary to locate appropriate synonyms.

Paraphrasing by using synonyms—tips

A practical hint is to use a thesaurus or dictionary to locate synonyms. The emphasis is on selecting terms that preserve the original meaning and tone while offering stylistic variation. The technique is presented as a way to diversify language without distorting content.

Paraphrasing by changing word form—further examples

A provided example shows how to adjust word form while staying faithful to meaning. Original: "In order to hold the musical note to the end, the violinist should maximize the use of his bow." Paraphrased: "In order to hold the musical note to its finality, the violinist must utilize his entire bow." This illustrates how altering word form (e.g., noun to adjective/adverb, verb to noun) can yield a natural paraphrase without weakening the message.

Paraphrasing by using synonyms—additional samples

Another set demonstrates synonym substitution with a similar intent:

Original: "The harder you work for something, the greater you’ll feel when you achieve it."
Paraphrased: "The harder you work for your goal, the better you’ll feel when it is accomplished."
This shows not only synonym replacement but also a small adjustment to mention of a goal and the state of achievement.

Changing numbers and percentages into different forms

Changing numerical expressions into different forms is a common paraphrasing strategy. The goal is to maintain accuracy and relation between numbers while expressing them in alternative formats. Remember: the numbers and percentages should remain accurate and closely related to one another. Examples illustrate how a specific count can be reframed without altering substantive meaning:

Original: "Only 20 respondents answered the survey." Paraphrased: "Less than half of the 50 participants answered the survey." (Note: this example implies a relationship between 20 and 50; a careful paraphrase should reflect the same proportion or provide a clear equivalent statement.)
Original: "Less than two-thirds of the bread was covered in mold after three days." Paraphrased: "More than half of the bread was covered in mold after three days." (This demonstrates changing the threshold while preserving the sense of significant mold growth.)
Original: "The experiment took more than three weeks to observe and accomplish." Paraphrased: "The experiment was done in less than a month." (Here, the time frame is restated with a different but related duration.)

Paraphrasing by changing word order

Changing word order allows a shift between active and passive voice or other structural rearrangements. Examples include:

Original: "The researchers observed the child’s behavior for a week before reaching conclusions." Paraphrased: "The child’s behavior was observed by the researchers for a week before reaching conclusions." This moves from active to passive voice.
Original: "The milk spoiled when left for a few hours at room temperature, according to the results." Paraphrased: "The results showed that milk did spoil after a few hours when left at room temperature." This demonstrates relocating the subject, auxiliary, and verb to alter emphasis.
Original: "The participants’ experiences in eating at fast-food restaurants served as data." Paraphrased: "Data collected from the participants were all experiences in eating at fast-food restaurants." This reflects a shift in sentence focus through rearrangement.

Paraphrasing by using different definition structures

Definitions can be restructured to convey the same concept using different definitional forms. The module identifies three kinds of definitions: formal, informal, and extended. Examples illustrate how different definition structures can be used to restate a concept while preserving precise meaning:

Original: "The future is a time or period that is regarded as still to come." Paraphrased: "The future is a time or period that is unknown to everyone, as it has still yet to happen and be experienced." This reframes the idea with a focus on unknown or experiential aspects.
Original: "Cabinets are equipped with shelves and drawers in order to function as storage space for a variety of things." Paraphrased: "Cabinets are used for storage space, as they can fit all kinds of things: clothes, toys, bags, and junk." This shifts the structural framing while maintaining the concept of storage.
Original: "Light bulbs are actually glass inserted into a lamp or a socket in a ceiling to provide light by passing an electric current through a filament." Paraphrased: "Light bulbs provide light by being a part of a lamp and having electricity." This redefines the idea with a simpler, more general description.
Remember: There are three kinds of definitions, formal, informal, and extended.

Utilizing different attribution signals (direct quotes and reported speech)

Attribution signals adjust how the source is presented, often with tense adjustments between direct quotation and paraphrase. The module demonstrates how to use directed and reported speech for paraphrased material, and notes that verb tense may vary between quoted and paraphrased forms. Examples include:

Original: Jack Ma said, “I don’t want to be liked. I want to be respected.” Paraphrased: "Jack Ma said that he would rather be respected than liked." This shifts from a direct quote to reported speech with a tense adjustment.
Original: Ninoy Aquino said, “If we Filipinos cannot fight for our freedom, we do not deserve it.” Paraphrased: "Aquino said that if we Filipinos cannot fight for our freedom, then we do not deserve it." The paraphrase preserves attribution and meaning with a natural flow.
Original: One Hebrew proverb says, “The end product is found in the first thoughts.” Paraphrased: "According to a Hebrew proverb, it is said that a conclusion can be found as early as in the first stages of thinking." This shows how attribution signals can introduce paraphrase while referencing sources.

Changing the sentence structure and using different connecting words

Altering sentence structure and connecting words can fully change how information is presented, including the use of conjunctions and varying sentence types. Types of sentence structures include simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. The example from a well-known line shows how rearrangement and connectives can produce a different reading:

Original (Invictus): "We are the masters of our fate, and we are the captains of our souls." Paraphrased: "I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." This demonstrates transforming structure and perspective.
Other examples illustrate changes in sentence organization and connecting words:
Original: "The results showed there was no change in the state of the children, even after eating sugar." Paraphrased: "Even if the children had eaten sugar, there was no change in their state." This shifts emphasis and clause placement using a different connective.
Original: "Ideas and concepts may have multiple functions. They help create new concepts and innovations." Paraphrased: "Ideas and concepts have multiple functions, as they may help create new concepts and innovations." This adds a connecting word to link ideas with a causal or explanatory relation.

Tips for paraphrasing (practical guidance)

The module provides a concise set of practical tips to guide paraphrasing practice:

Do not change technical terms and proper nouns. They must remain intact.
Cite your sources accordingly when you paraphrase material to acknowledge original authors.
The lengths of the two sentences or passages should be similar, more or less, to maintain balance.
The meaning of the sentences should stay the same; the paraphrase should preserve the core information.

Practice prompts and prompts for reflection

The unit includes an exercise to paraphrase a given text, starting with: “Hercules himself could not cope with two assailants.” (Latin proverb). Students are invited to identify which techniques they used for their paraphrase and consider whether multiple paraphrase techniques can be employed in a single text. A reflective question asks: Is it possible to use multiple paraphrase techniques in a text? This prompts learners to recognize that several techniques can operate simultaneously to produce a paraphrase that remains faithful to the source while varying form.

Wrap up and synthesis

Wrap-up emphasizes that several techniques can be used to paraphrase effectively:

Change of words (changing the surface form), and
Change of sentence structure (altering syntax and connectivity).
Additionally, students are reminded not to change proper nouns and technical terms, and to maintain the original meaning while paraphrasing. The wrap-up lists the techniques in a consolidated way:
Change the words
Change the sentence structure
Change the part of speech
Use synonyms
Change the word order
Use different definition structures
Change numbers and percentages to different forms
Use different attribution signals
Change the sentence structure and use different conjunctions

Remember and reference notes

Key reminders from the module include:

Do not change proper nouns and technical terms when paraphrasing. Maintain accuracy in terminology.
Citation is essential when paraphrasing material.
Keep sentence lengths comparable and preserve meaning.

Summary of techniques at a glance

The module presents a structured taxonomy of paraphrasing techniques, summarized here for quick reference:

Changing the words: change part of speech, use synonyms.
Changing numbers and percentages: convert to different forms while maintaining accuracy.
Changing word order: switch active ↔ passive and remap sentence elements.
Using different definition structures: formal, informal, extended definitions.
Using different attribution signals: direct quotes vs reported speech; tense adjustments.
Changing sentence structure and connecting words: vary sentence type and conjunction usage.
Do not alter proper nouns/technical terms; cite sources; keep meaning.
Practice with provided examples to internalize each technique.

References and bibliography (as provided in the module)

Koshy, Betty. “Learn To Teach And Teach To Learn [abstract].” Online Journal of Multidisciplinary Subjects 12, no. 2 (September 2018).
“Paraphrasing and Summarising.” Learning Hub. Accessed February 7, 2020.
“Techniques for Effective Paraphrasing.” SFU Library. Accessed February 7, 2020.
“Techniques for Paraphrasing.” SFU Library. Accessed February 7, 2020.
“Techniques for Paraphrasing.” FutureLearn. Accessed February 7, 2020.

Endnotes

The content frequently references the platform Quipper for examples and prompts. Quipper sections are labeled in the original material and are integrated into the examples and tips above to reflect authentic instructional framing.
The material includes multiple prompts labeled ENGAGE, EXPLORE, EXPLAIN, EXTEND, EVALUATE to guide learner activities, reflection, and assessment readiness. These prompts are embedded throughout the notes as cues for practice and self-checks.
The overall aim is to replace the original source with a comprehensive, self-sufficient study guide that preserves all major and minor points, examples, and practical implications for paraphrasing in academic writing.