Master Paraphrasing: Top Five Techniques

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Importance of Paraphrasing
3. Technique 1: Finding Synonyms
4. Technique 2: Changing Word Forms
5. Technique 3: Changing Grammar Structures
6. Technique 4: Changing Word Order
7. Using Multiple Techniques
8. Conclusion

Article

Introduction

Welcome to the British Council's English Tips video. In this video, we will discuss the essential skill of paraphrasing in writing tasks 1 and 2. Paraphrasing plays a crucial role in achieving higher scores in writing exams. Most students, however, tend to copy the question directly, resulting in lower scores. In this article, we will explore the top five paraphrasing techniques that will help You improve your paraphrasing skills and boost your writing score.

The Importance of Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is the act of expressing an idea or a piece of information in your own words while maintaining the same meaning. It is a skill that demonstrates your language proficiency, lexical range, and ability to rephrase sentences effectively. By paraphrasing, you Show the examiner your understanding of the question and your ability to present information in a different way. This skill is highly valued in academic and professional writing.

Technique 1: Finding Synonyms

The first and most common paraphrasing technique is finding synonyms for key words in the question. When paraphrasing, focus on identifying the important nouns and verbs in the question and think of suitable synonyms that can replace them. For example, if the question states "The Diagram below shows the process by which bricks are manufactured for the building industry," you can paraphrase it as "The diagram illustrates the way bricks are made for the building industry." By using synonyms, you maintain the original meaning while presenting it in a different manner.

Technique 2: Changing Word Forms

Another effective way to paraphrase is by changing the form of words in the question. This technique requires a good understanding of word families. You can change nouns to verbs, verbs to nouns, or even adjectives to their corresponding nouns. For instance, if the question says "The line graph below shows the consumption of four kinds of meat in a European country from 1979," you can paraphrase it as "The line graph below shows how one European country consumed four kinds of meat from 1979 to 2004." Here, the noun "consumption" is changed to its verb form "consumed," resulting in a well-paraphrased sentence.

Technique 3: Changing Grammar Structures

To paraphrase more effectively, you can also change the grammar structures of a question. One way to do this is by transforming the active voice into the passive voice. For example, if the question states "The real estate developers invested over 40 million USD into the development of a new senior living community," you can paraphrase it as "40 million USD was invested in the development of a new senior living community." By changing "invested" to "was invested," you maintain the meaning while altering the sentence structure.

Technique 4: Changing Word Order

Sometimes, simply rearranging the order of words in a sentence can lead to effective paraphrasing. By changing where the words stand in a sentence, you can Create a paraphrased version that reads differently while conveying the same information. For instance, if the question says "The line graph below shows the consumption of four kinds of meat in a European country from 1979 to 2004," you can paraphrase it as "The line graph below shows how four different kinds of meat were consumed over a 25-year period in one European country." Here, not only is the word order changed, but the main Verb "consumed" is also transformed from active to passive voice.

Using Multiple Techniques

While relying on one paraphrasing technique may be feasible, combining two or three different techniques can greatly enhance your paraphrasing skills. By using synonyms, changing word forms, altering grammar structures, and rearranging word order simultaneously, you can create paraphrased sentences that are both accurate and original. This approach showcases your language proficiency and lexical flexibility, resulting in a stronger piece of writing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, paraphrasing is a crucial skill for achieving high scores in writing tasks. By finding synonyms, changing word forms, transforming grammar structures, and rearranging word order, you can effectively paraphrase sentences while maintaining the original meaning. Remember to use multiple techniques simultaneously for the best results. Enhance your English skills and achieve your goals by coming to the British Council.

Highlights:

• Paraphrasing is an essential skill in writing tasks.
• Copying the question directly leads to lower scores.
• The top five paraphrasing techniques are: finding synonyms, changing word forms, altering grammar structures, rearranging word order, and using multiple techniques.
• Paraphrasing demonstrates language proficiency and lexical range.

FAQ

Q: Why is paraphrasing important in writing tasks? A: Paraphrasing shows your understanding of the question and your ability to express information in different ways. It demonstrates language proficiency and lexical flexibility, leading to higher scores.

Q: How can I improve my paraphrasing skills? A: By practicing techniques such as finding synonyms, changing word forms, transforming grammar structures, and rearranging word order, you can enhance your paraphrasing abilities. Using multiple techniques simultaneously yields the best results.

Q: Can I rely on just one paraphrasing technique? A: While it is possible to rely on a single technique, combining two or three techniques is recommended for more effective and impactful paraphrasing.

Q: Will paraphrasing help me achieve higher scores in writing exams? A: Yes, paraphrasing is highly valued in academic and professional writing. It showcases your language proficiency and lexical range, leading to better overall scores.

Q: Where can I improve my English skills? A: Visit the British Council for comprehensive English language courses and resources to enhance your skills and achieve your goals.