Paraphrasing Basics (Safe Rewording)

What “safe paraphrasing” means

Paraphrasing = same message, new language. It:

• Preserves facts, stance, and scope.
• Changes words, grammar, and structure enough to be your original expression.
• Cites the source when ideas/data come from someone else.

Never: distort data, add claims the source didn’t make, or copy-and-swap a few words (patchwriting).

The 5 Golden Rules

1. Understand first. If you can’t explain it simply, don’t rewrite it yet.
2. Keep anchors (numbers, dates, names, technical terms) exact.
3. Change more than words: alter structure and grammar too.
4. Match tone & stance: formal stays formal; neutral stays neutral.
5. Attribute ideas/data that are not yours (e.g., “According to X…”).

Core Techniques (mix 2–3 each time)

1) Lexical change (controlled synonyms)

• important → crucial / significant
• help → assist / enable
  Use safe, context-true synonyms. Avoid rare words that sound unnatural.

2) Grammar shift

• Active ↔ Passive: Researchers conducted a survey → A survey was conducted.
• Clause ↔ Phrase: Because prices rose, demand fell → Due to rising prices, demand fell.
• Word class: There is a reduction → Rates reduced.

3) Structural change

• Split or combine sentences.
• Information order: general → specific vs specific → general.
• Change subject focus: Cars cause congestion → Congestion is often caused by private cars.

4) Definition & category

• Replace a term with its category + feature: smartphones → hand-held internet-enabled phones.

5) Cohesion rebuild

• Use natural linkers: however, therefore, for instance, meanwhile - sparingly.

Before → After (safe rewording)

A. General idea

• ❌ Source: Online learning is effective because it gives flexible schedules.
• ✅ Paraphrase: Online courses often work well as they allow learners to study at convenient times.

B. IELTS Task 1 (time series)

• ❌ Sales increased rapidly from 2018 to 2020.
• ✅ Between 2018 and 2020, sales rose sharply.

C. Cause–effect

• ❌ Traffic worsens when public transport is unreliable.
• ✅ Unreliable public transport contributes to heavier traffic.

D. Definition + stance

• ❌ Obesity is a major health issue worldwide.
• ✅ Obesity remains a significant global health problem.

E. Split/Combine

• ❌ The pilot failed. Funding arrived late.
• ✅ The pilot failed because funding arrived late.

The 4-Step Paraphrase Process (90 seconds)

1. Read → Close the source; explain the idea out loud in 10 seconds.
2. Note anchors: numbers, names, dates, unique terms (keep unchanged).
3. Choose 2 techniques: e.g., passive + new structure.
4. Rewrite and check: same meaning? tone consistent? grammar accurate?

Patchwriting vs Paraphrasing

• Patchwriting = copying the sentence frame and swapping a few words.
  • ❌ The policy is very effective because it helps citizens save time.
• Paraphrasing = new frame, new grammar, same meaning.
  • ✅ The policy proves efficient, as it reduces the time people spend on tasks.

IELTS-specific tips

Task 1 (Graphs/Maps/Processes)

• Replace verbs/nouns: increase → rise/grow/climb; decrease → fall/drop/decline.
• Keep figures exact; don’t “improve” the data.
• Use grouping: “Both categories fell after 2016; by contrast, services rose.”

Task 2 (Essays)

• Restate the question:
  • Q: Some believe public transport should be free.
  • Intro paraphrase: Many argue that mass transit ought to be provided at no cost.
• Paraphrase reasons/examples; avoid repeating your own words.

Speaking

• Use quick switches:
  • I think… → In my view… / From my perspective…
  • because… → as… / since…
  • for example… → for instance…

Common Mistakes → Fixes

• Over-synonymising: rare words that misfit the context → choose common, precise alternatives.
• Meaning drift: changed scope/stance → re-check intent.
• Number errors: rounded the wrong way → keep original figures.
• Tone shift: informal slang in formal essays → keep register consistent.
• No attribution: data/ideas presented as yours → add According to… + citation.

One-Minute Checklist

1. Did I keep numbers, dates, and names intact?
2. Did I change words, grammar, and structure (not only synonyms)?
3. Is the meaning identical and the tone appropriate?
4. Would a reader think this is my sentence expressing the same idea?
5. Do I need a citation?

Micro-Drills (answers below)

A. Paraphrase these (keep meaning & tone).

1. The city expanded the metro to reduce congestion.
2. From 2015 to 2020, unemployment fell steadily.
3. Many students struggle because courses are too theoretical.

B. Improve safely (avoid patchwriting).
4) Technology helps workers because it increases productivity.
5) There was a sharp rise in smartphone sales in 2022.

Suggested answers (one of many):

1. To ease traffic, the city extended its metro network.
2. Unemployment declined consistently between 2015 and 2020.
3. A key difficulty for students is that courses are overly theory-focused.
4. By boosting productivity, technology supports employees in their work.
5. Smartphone sales surged in 2022.

Practice: Restate a Task 2 prompt

Prompt: Some people think universities should focus on job skills; others believe they should teach knowledge for its own sake. Discuss both views and give your opinion.
Paraphrase: It is argued that higher education ought to prioritise practical skills for employment, while another view holds that universities should pursue learning without immediate vocational goals. This essay examines both positions and presents a personal view.

Build the habit (5 minutes/day)

• Take one paragraph from an article.
• List anchors (facts), close the text, and produce two paraphrases using different techniques.
• Compare with the original: meaning, tone, and accuracy.