Grammar Toolbox Paraphrasing Method
Another way to paraphrase is to use changes in grammar, word order and vocabulary to create a new statement with the same meaning as the original. We call this the “grammar toolbox” method. This method follows four steps.
Grammar Toolbox Steps
1. Read the original carefully for a general idea of its meaning.
2. Circle the key words or phrases—ideas that you cannot leave out.
3. Using a combination of the six paraphrasing tools described below, change the grammar, vocabulary and sentence structure of the original.
4. Compare your paraphrase with the original to see if it fits the criteria of a good paraphrase.
Key responsibilities when paraphrasing:
You must change the language substantially (= a lot!)
You must preserve key terms and data, as well as the basic idea
You must cite your source
Paraphrasing Tools
1. Find synonyms for some of the words. .
Original: The tiger quickly disappeared into the trees.
Revised: The big cat vanished into the forest.
2. Change the verb to negative. Or, change the negative verb to positive.
Original: The nervous student was awake all night.
Revised: The nervous student didn't sleep all night.
3. Change voice: Make active sentences passive and passive ones, active.
Original: The voucher was sent by the testing service on August 3rd.
Revised: The testing service sent the voucher on August 3rd.
4. Change parts of speech: Change nouns into verbs, verbs into nouns, etc.
Original: The teacher helped the student finish her class registration form.
Revised: The teacher helped the student register for classes.
5. Combine sentences: Use new connecting words to combine shorter phrases and sentences.
Original: Paraphrasing is a skill students need to learn. It is an important part of academic writing.
Revised: Paraphrasing, which is a skill students need to learn, is an important part of academic writing.
6. Move phrases: Move parts of a sentence to change the sentence structure.
Original: Yesterday, I stayed in the library until midnight and finished my homework.
Revised: I finished my homework at midnight in the library yesterday.
Now, if you want to practice, try this exercise. Combine several of the six techniques to paraphrase the following passage:
The so-called Baby Boomer generation are those people born during or after World War II and raised in an era of extreme optimism, opportunity, and progress. Their birth dates fall between 1943 and 1960. They are the civil rights generation, the protesters working for empowerment and individual rights, leaders in the sexual revolution. They work 60-hour weeks and engage in community projects and international causes. This is the generation shaped by the Vietnam War, environmental activism, and general prosperity. The generation that followed theirs is known as Generation X. They were born between 1960 and 1980 and display several characteristics different from the Boomers.
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