ParaphrasingTips & Examples

Points to Consider for Paraphrasing

Structure

Meaning

Vocabulary/Word Choice

Length

Style

Tip #1: Change the structure

Change the grammatical structure if you can do so without changing the meaning.

Change the word order.

Change active to passive voice.

Change key words from one part of speech to another

Examples 1 & 2

1. “A group of concerned citizens founded the school in 1853.”

Paraphrase: In 1852, the school was founded by a group of concerned citizens.

2. “The recipe called for tequila from Mexico.”

Paraphrase: The recipe uses Mexican tequila.

Tip #2: Change the words but keep the meaning

Use different vocabulary when possible.

Use more common synonyms or expressions and simpler phrases.

Keep specialized vocabulary that has no synonyms, proper nouns/names, and numbers/formulae

▪ E.g., calcium, Chicano, the World Health Organization, 50%, 200 KW/m, 2007

Keep the meaning the same as the original. Keep the relationship between the main idea and supporting details the same.

Examples 3 & 4

3. “Originally the college offered only undergraduate degrees.”

Paraphrase 1: In the beginning, the college offered only B.A. and B.S. degrees.

Paraphrase 2: Graduate degrees were not offered by the college in the beginning

4. “President Lincoln was assassinated in 1864.”

Paraphrase: In 1864, Abraham Lincoln was shot and killed by an assassin.

BUT NOT: Abraham Lincoln died in 1864.