Unit 3
Citations: Using Paraphrase
in Academic Writing
By the end of this learning unit you
will be able to
Identify the various techniques in
paraphrasing
Use
paraphrase
academic writing
in
your
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Paraphrasing is an important aspect
of academic writing.
Paraphrasing involves rewriting
of text in your own words but
keeping its original meaning.
The origin of the idea needs to be
acknowledged.
Generally, an academic essay
should contain more paraphrases
than direct quotations.
The following is an example of a piece of
information from an academic text:
It was observed that students frequently
overuse direct quotation in taking notes, and
as a result they overuse quotations in the
final [research] paper. Probably only about
10% of your final manuscript should appear
as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you
should strive to limit the amount of exact
transcribing of source materials while taking
notes.
This information was taken from a book
authored by Lester (1976) and found on pages
46-47.
The piece of information taken from
Lester (1976) could be paraphrased as
follows:
In research papers students often quote
excessively, failing to keep quoted
material down to a desirable level. Since
the problem usually originates during
note taking, it is essential to minimize
the material recorded verbatim (Lester,
1976).
Generally, there are FIVE (5) paraphrasing
techniques.
Synonym replacement
Changing parts of speech
Reduction of clauses
Change of structure
Summarising
(i) Synonym replacement
This technique involves replacing words in a
text with words that are of the same
meaning.
For example:
“The young people who are rebelling all
around the world will never know a world
in which war does not mean
annihilation” (Mead, 1969, p. 31).
*The words which have been underlined could be replaced
with words that are of the same meaning. Could you
find their synonyms and paraphrase the information?
Compare your paraphrase with the one
below. Note the synonyms for the underlined
words.
According to Mead (1969), world’s rebellious
young people will never experience a way of
life in which wars do not result in total
destruction.
(ii). Changing parts of speech
Changing parts of speech may assist in
paraphrasing. Parts of speech refer to
noun, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc.
For example:
"Last week the spotlight on OxyContin
intensified as the Drug Enforcement
Administration announced a national
strategy to combat the painkiller's
illegitimate use…” (Kalb, 2005, p. 28)
*The words which have been underlined are
parts of speech which could be changed. Could
you change them and paraphrase the
information?
Compare your paraphrase with the one
below. Note the changes in the parts of
speech that were underlined.
Recently, the Drug Enforcement Administration
spotlighted on OxyContin by declaring a
nationwide campaign to put a stop to the misuse
of the drug (Kalb, 2005).
(iii). Reduction of clauses
.
Another method of paraphrasing involves
changing clauses to phrases while
retaining the same meaning.
For example:
"While the DEA says OxyContin is a
valuable drug, it is concerned that many
doctors who are prescribing the
medications don't know enough about it
and are not conveying the dangers to
patients. . . . " (Kalb, 2005, p. 27).
*The words which have been underlined are clauses
which can be reduced to phrases. Could you reduce
them and paraphrase the information?
Compare your paraphrase with the one below.
Note the changes in the clauses that were
underlined.
Claiming OxyContin’s importance, DEA is
worried that many doctors and patients are
unaware of the dangers of the drug (Kalb,
2005).
(iv). Change of structure
Changing the sentence structure adds to the
value of the paraphrase, reflecting the
writer's interpretation of the author's
thoughts. Such changes could include a
change from the active to the passive voice.
For example:
“Students, predominantly mature, with
widely diverse skills and experience, studied
on an Intel sponsored programme in
information technology” (Heinze & Procter,
2004, p. 89).
*Try changing the information above which is in the
active voice into the passive.
Compare your paraphrase with the one below.
Note the change from the active voice to the
passive.
The course in information technology was
studied by mostly adult students with varying
abilities and familiarity (Heinze & Procter,
2004).
(v). Summarising
Summarising is another paraphrasing
technique which helps to retain the meaning
of statements while focusing on the
important points or main idea. Do eliminate
examples or wordy elaborations when
summarising.
For example:
“Culture shock’ is the state of being confused
when in contact with a different and
unfamiliar civilisation. Typically, a person
going to study in another country for the
first time may miss family and friends and
consequently, feel homesick. The person may
have sleeping difficulties and in extreme
cases may become depressed and ill”
(Andrews & Jill, 2004, p. 55).
Try summarising the information above.
Compare your paraphrase with the one below
According to Andrews and Jill (2004) culture
shock happens when people face situations which
are new to their experience. It could result in
insomnia and eventually lead to psychological and
physical problems.