Paraphrasing

 Paraphrasing:  Restating someone else’s ideas in your own words by changing the vocabulary and grammar of a statement while keeping its original meaning.  

 

Example:  Original sentence- Scientists have found that the mere act of smiling can generate positive feelings within us, at least if the smile is not forced.  (Barbara Ehrenreich) 

 

Paraphrase:  Barbara Ehrenreich wrote that science has shown that smiling makes people feel happier as long as their smiles are real.

 

 

How to paraphrase:

1.  Use synonyms or synonymous phrases.

    Original:  “Parents frequently remark….”

     Paraphrase:  Mothers and fathers often say….

 

 

2.  Change the form of words.

   Original:  “A physically fit person feels good….”

    Paraphrase:  Physical fitness produces good feelings….

 

 

 

3.  Change the subject of the sentences.

  a.  Make a singular subject plural or a plural subject singular:

            Original:  “An individual is….”

            Paraphrase:  Individuals are…..

 

   b.  Change the pronoun point of view (we, you, they, he/she) to another pronoun point of view.  

 

    c.  Make an active sentence passive or a passive sentence active.

         Original sentence: The poem was written by Shakespeare….

                                          Shakespeare wrote the poem….

      

4.  Move parts of the sentence.

 

5.  Omit unnecessary words that do not contribute to the meaning. 

 

 

6.  For a simple sentence, you can figure out the basic meaning of it and put it in your own words.

 

 

**** To paraphrase successfully, you need to change a sentence as many ways as possible.  

 

***You must identify the author whose ideas and words you refer to.

 

*** Be careful about changing key terms.  Do not replace a key term if doing so changes the meaning of the passage.

 

 

 

Another example:  If we really know how to live, what better way to start the day than with a smile?  Our smile affirms our awareness and determination

to live in peace and joy.  (Thich Nhat Hanh)

 

Paraphrase:  Thich Nhat Hanh wrote that to live well, a smile is the best method to begin the day.  This act shows that one is aware and committed to living a life filled with peace and happiness.

 

 

 

With a group of 3-4 students, paraphrase the following sentences: 

 

1.  Parents have the primary responsibility for instilling an ethic of hard work and educational achievement in their children.  (Barack Obama)

 

 

2.  We would like to think that American parents have similar standards and similar dreams for their sons and daughters. (Seth Davidowitz)

 

 

3.  Researchers found that once people realize how bad they are at something, they’ll readily cop to it and want to improve.  (Tim Herrera)