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Paraphrasing

The document discusses strategies for paraphrasing when answering exam questions. It provides 4 strategies: 1) Use synonyms to substitute keywords while maintaining the original meaning. 2) Use the negative form if you can't think of synonyms. 3) Change the order of ideas or sentence structure. 4) Change between active and passive voice. Students are advised to combine strategies when paraphrasing and to ensure the altered text has the same meaning and reads smoothly.

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2K views

Paraphrasing

The document discusses strategies for paraphrasing when answering exam questions. It provides 4 strategies: 1) Use synonyms to substitute keywords while maintaining the original meaning. 2) Use the negative form if you can't think of synonyms. 3) Change the order of ideas or sentence structure. 4) Change between active and passive voice. Students are advised to combine strategies when paraphrasing and to ensure the altered text has the same meaning and reads smoothly.

Uploaded by

api-3697552
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GENERAL PAPER II

Skills Focus: Paraphrasing


Paraphrasing

• Almost all question will ask you to write your answer


using your own words as far as possible.

• You have to know how to paraphrase ideas and


phrases from the text when answering questions.

• While word-for-word substitution is a popular choice,


this generally causes awkwardness in their
language, and could result in the examiner marking
them down for language use.
Paraphrasing Strategy 1

Use Synonyms

• Come up with a word from your own vocabulary that


comes as close to the meaning of the keyword(s) in
the original sentence as possible.
• Check that the paraphrased sentence makes sense
and is not different in meaning from the original
sentence.
• If the meaning does not match, replace the words
with another possible choice.
Paraphrasing Strategy 1

Use Synonyms: Example

Original  He remained optimistic in spite of


adversity.
Altered  He continued to be hopeful
notwithstanding misfortune.

Original  The businessman sympathised


with the homeless.
Altered  The entrepreneur pitied the
destitute.
Paraphrasing Strategy 2

Use the Negative

• This is useful especially if you know the meaning of


the word, but just cannot think of any possible
alternative.
Paraphrasing Strategy 2

Use the Negative: Example

Original  It is difficult to set realistic objectives.


Altered  It is not easy to set goals that are
achievable.

Original  Only a few attempts are successful.


Altered  Most endeavours end in failure.
Paraphrasing Strategy 3

Change the Order of Ideas or the Sentence


Pattern

•Use this strategy if the sentence contains two or more


parts.
Paraphrasing Strategy 3

Change the Order of Ideas or the Sentence


Pattern

Original  Advanced nations provided aid to rebuild


the country destroyed by the typhoon.

Altered  The state devastated by the hurricane was


helped by the developed states in its reconstruction.
Paraphrasing Strategy 4

Change Active Voice to Passive Voice

•You could also change from the active to the passive


voice, or passive to active voice.
Paraphrasing Strategy 4

Change Active Voice to Passive Voice

Original  They are going to complete the project


before the deadline
Altered  The assignment will be finished ahead of
time by them.
•
Use of Paraphrasing Strategies

• While you can use the paraphrasing we have


discussed, take note that very often you are
required to combine strategies to paraphrase
material accurately and appropriately.
When Paraphrasing...

Ask yourself the following key questions:

• Does the altered sentence mean exactly the same


as the original?
• Is the meaning clear?
• Does the altered sentence read smoothly?
Paraphrasing Exercise

Let’s do Exercise 2.2

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