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 and Folse, K.S., Mahnke, M.K., Solomon E.V., and Williams L. (2003) Blueprints 2 Composition skills for academic writers. USA. Thomson Heinle.

Learning outcomes
identify a good paraphrase understand the techniques of paraphrasing introducing an outside source

understand the importance to paraphrase

apply the techniques of paraphrasing

Definition of paraphrase
Paraphrase

Restate what has been said or written in a different way

Use your own words to express another writers 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

Five attributes of a good paraphrase

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

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

Five attributes of a good paraphrase

3. The grammar and vocabulary are not the same with the exception of technical terms 4. The use of multiple paraphrasing strategies simultaneously
5. The use of varied paraphrasing strategies

Why is paraphrasing important?

What are the attributes of a good paraphrase?

RECAP

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
miniscule well equipped room with scientific equipment for experiments more or less eight hundred

Paraphrased

Have a good dictionary or thesaurus at hand

Technique 1: Using synonyms

Original
miniscule well equipped room with scientific equipment for experiments more or less eight hundred

Paraphrased
minute / small

self-contained laboratory

about eight hundred

Have a good dictionary or thesaurus at hand

Technique 2: Varying sentence structure

Original Development can cause disaster. Paraphrased ________________ ________________ ________________

Technique 2: Varying sentence structure

Original Development can cause disaster. Paraphrased Disaster as a result of development is possible.

Technique 3: Changing the order of ideas

Original Development can improve the quality of life if we plan carefully for the future. Paraphrased

Technique 3: Changing the order of ideas

Original Development can improve the quality of life if we plan carefully for the future. Paraphrased Carefully forward planning can ensure that development will meet our future needs.

Technique 4: Breaking long sentence into short ones

Original During the study it was found that men and women have different taste in reading genres whereby older men prefer emotional stories while younger ones prefer factual details. Paraphrased Both men and women have different reading genres. Older men prefer emotional reading articles. Younger men prefer factual materials to read.

Technique 4: Breaking long sentence into short ones

Original Throughout the process, it became clear that many of the people in the study were having difficulty and were becoming frustrated as they completed the ASC Research. Paraphrased The ASC Research involved a course of action. It was evident as the research came to an end that most of the research participants faced problems and felt annoyed.

Technique 5: Simplifying abstract ideas

Original This model provides a microeconomic theoretical rational for why researchers have failed to find consistent evidence of the superiority of one teaching technique over another in the production of learning in economics. Paraphrased ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

Technique 5: Simplifying abstract ideas

Original This model provides a microeconomic theoretical rational for why researchers have failed to find consistent evidence of the superiority of one teaching technique over another in the production of learning in economics. Paraphrased This accounts for why theorists working in the area found the following: a student that is taught with Method A is as unprepared as he is taught with Method B. The evidence does not show that either A or B is better in terms of learning outcomes.

How many techniques are there in paraphrasing?

What are they?

RECAP

Introducing an outside source

Use the phrase According to followed by the name of the author or the name of book. For example: According to Amin

In (the name of the author or the name of book) view For example: In Amins view

Introducing an outside source

Use 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.

James stated the need to reassess the rate of velocity of the Gyro-turbo H25000.

On a final note

Use a variety of paraphrasing techniques

Always ensure information paraphrased is true to the original

Lesson 6

exit

Paraphrasing Sources

A paraphrase is when you would focus on one or two sentences of a writer and put them into your own words.

You would do this if you wanted to highlight the details, facts or arguments within the sentence(s). You not only want to change one or two words of the original, but to put the whole sentence into your own words. REMEMBER : Paraphrased passages still require citation because the ideas came from another source, even though you are putting them in your own words.

Lesson 6

exit

Example of a paraphrase from Newsweek:

Original: A 1997 study by Japanese researchers showed
that repetitive rhythms can bring on either serenity or arousal (Begley, 59). Paraphrase: __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Lesson 6

exit

Example of a paraphrase from Newsweek:

Original: A 1997 study by Japanese researchers showed
that repetitive rhythms can bring on either serenity or arousal (Begley, 59). Paraphrase: If a rhythm is repeated over and over, it can cause someone to feel serene or aroused, according to a 1997 Japanese study (Begley, 59).

3 criteria for a GOOD paraphrase:

i. A good paraphrase has the same meaning as the original
all main ideas included No new ideas added

ii. A good paraphrase is different enough from the original to be considered your own writing
Uses very few original words, changes grammar and vocabulary as much as possible.

iii. A good paraphrase refers directly to (or cites) the original source.
Must include the name of the author or the source (You will study citing and referencing in Week 3 and 4)

NOW YOU TRY :

Many of the doctors taking part in the survey on assisted suicide doubted whether they could decide if a patient had less than six months to live. The Anguish of Doctors 1996 Paraphrase 1 : According to a survey on assisted suicide in The Anguish of Doctors (1996), many doctors disagree with the assisted suicide because they cant know when a patient will die. Paraphrase 2 : In a survey on assisted suicide in The Anguish of Doctors (1996), many doctors were not sure they could always know whether a patient will die within six months.

Which paraphrase meets all 3 criteria?

ANSWER : Paraphrase 1 doesnt meet all 3 criteria because it does not have the same meaning.
Paraphrase 2 is accurate.

NOW YOU TRY!

Countries are likely to indulge in romance if they are wealthy and value individualism over the community.
- Levine, Robert, Is Love a Luxury? 1993

Paraphrase 1 : Rich individual countries are more likely to think love is important (Levine, 1993). Paraphrase 2: Countries that are rich and value individualism are more likely to believe in romantic love (Levine, 1993). Which paraphrase meets all 3 criteria?

The end