We need to make sure that we understand what we are reading. We cannot paraphrase properly if we do not comprehend what we read.
There are six ways we can modify texts to paraphrase the information. We need to study each way and look at the examples.
1. Changing Word Order:
One way you can change a sentence for paraphrasing is to change the word order.
Because I slept too late, I missed my first class.
I missed my first class because I slept too late.
To pass that class, I had to study very hard.
I had to study very hard to pass that class.
It is sometimes necessary to change the wording of the parts of the sentences. For example,
Terry wanted more books, but he couldn't afford them, can be changed to
Terry couldn't afford more books, even though he wanted them.
If you're going to New York for Christmas, be sure to take warm clothes.
Be sure to bring warm clothes if you're going to New York for Christmas.
Even though the weather was good, Joan was in a bad mood.
Joan was in a bad mood, even though the weather was good.
I had no money, so I borrowed some.
I borrowed some money because I had none.
2. Changing Parts of Speech:
You can also change parts of speech. If the sentence uses a noun, you can rewrite the sentence to use the verb or adjective form of the word.
Fifty-four men signed the Declaration of Independence
Fifty-four men put their signatures on the Declaration of Independence.
The company needs to find a solution for this problem.
The company needs to solve this problem.
The poor economy has been the cause of high unemployment.
The poor economy has caused high unemployment.
If you eat rabbit, you will find its taste like chicken.
If you eat rabbit, you will find it tastes like chicken.
3. Using Synonyms:
English has many synonyms -- words that have the same or similar meanings -- so another way you can paraphrase is to change one word for a synonym.
Movies can be divided into three categories
Movies can be divided into three types.
The way a person dresses affects the impression that other people have.
The way a person dresses influences the image that other people have.
There is little chance that the situation will improve.
There is little possibility that the circumstances will get better.
4. Using Negatives or Opposite Expressions:
Another way to paraphrase is to change a positive expression into a negative expression, or a negative expression into a positive expression.
Rather than building a traditional memorial, the city built a park
The city did not build a traditional memorial; instead it built a park.
Shaun was disappointed because the movie wasn't very good.
Shaun wasn't satisfied because the movie wasn't very good.
Japan is not a small country, compared to European countries.
Japan is a large country, compared to European countries.
Geri wanted some candy, but there wasn't any in the bowl.
Geri wanted some candy, but the bowl was empty.
5. Combining or Separating Sentences:
Long sentences can be divided, and short sentences can be combined with other short sentences.
Ireland is a wonderful country, which has beautiful scenery, friendly people, and an interesting history
Ireland is a wonderful country. It has beautiful scenery, friendly people, and an interesting history.
Ireland is a wonderful country. It has beautiful scenery, friendly people, and an interesting history
Ireland, which is a wonderful country, has beautiful scenery, friendly people, and an interesting history.
Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII. She is one of England 's most famous queens.
Elizabeth I, who was the daughter of Henry VIII, was one of England 's most famous queens.
This book is about a woman who pretended to be a man to join the army in World War II. It is one of Lynn 's favorite books.
This book, which is one of Lynn 's favorites, is about a woman who pretended to be a man to join the army in World War II.
If you go to London, you should be sure to visit Westminster Abbey, where many of the kings and queens of England, as well as other famous people, are buried.
If you go to London, you should be sure to visit Westminster Abbey. Many kings and queens of England are buried there. Other famous people are buried there, too.
6. Using Different Grammar. Structure, Voice:
You can paraphrase by changing the grammar of a sentence, for example, but changing from active voice ("The dog bit the man") to passive voice ("The man was bitten by the dog") or by making other changes in the grammar.
"It is not unusual for June to be a rainy month here" to
"June is often a rainy month here," or
"It is thought that this new plan will save money" to
"Many people think that this new plan will save money."
Various languages are spoken in this country.
The people of this country speak various languages.
Frank studied French, and, as a result, he translated for our visitors from France.
Frank could translate for our visitors from France because he had studied French.
Tom McGovern got married three times and had five children.
Tom McGovern had three wives and was the father of five.
Exercises
Read the following sentences and paraphrase them, combining the techniques that you learned in this article.
1. Gone with the Wind, which was published in 1936, covered 12 years of the life of a woman named Scarlett O'Hara during and after the Civil War. It began when she was 16 years old and tells the story of her love for two men.
Published in 1936, Gone with the Wind was the story of Scarlett O'Hara and the two men she loved. It covers Scarlett’s life from the time she was 16 until she was 28, during the Civil War and the years that followed.
2. While California's cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco are probably better known, California is fortunate enough to have a great deal of beautiful scenery, both in its mountains and along its coast.
California might be well known for its cities, but it also has beautiful mountain and ocean landscapes.
3. The Internet is a vast treasure house of knowledge, but it does not have any central organization, and so it can be difficult to find information if you are not familiar with it.
A great deal of information is available on the Internet. However, because the information is not well organized, people who are not used to using the Internet may have difficulty finding the information they want.
4. Americans consider someone who looks them in the eye, to be honest. In contrast, a person who looks down or looks away is suspected of being dishonest.
For people from the US, not looking someone in the eye indicates not telling the truth while meeting a person’s eyes is a sign that they are telling the truth.
Retrieved from: Paraphrasing. By S. Kathleen Kitao, Kenji Kitao.
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