A Short Note on Ways to

Short Note Series for DSG

In academic paper, we use published materials (literature) to

support the points we are making.
The key is to know how to include evidence in the writing and
give due credit to the authors.
Paraphrasing is one of the ways,

where we rewrite what the author said in our

own words and in a way that the reader will
find it easier to understand.

We support our ideas in

the form of:

Theoretical ideas

Research findings

Scholarly opinions

Critical evaluations

A GOOD paraphrase

A POOR paraphrase

reflects the main

ideas as the original
source.

has a very similar

sentence structure as
the source.

uses your own words

and writing style.

maintains the words

of the original author,
with only few
different ones.

When you use

phrases that are in
the original quote,
put them in quotation
markds.

borrows phrases
without putting them
in quotes.

mentions the
author(s) to give due
credit to the source
of the idea.

does not give credit

to the source.

To integrate another persons ideas in your paper,

choose a verb that reflects the tone, attitude and position of the author you are
citing.
Instead of using says and states, replace them with:
acknowledges
admits
affirms
agrees
believes
claims
comments that
concedes that
challenges
concludes
compares

defines
describes
delves deeper
discloses
examines
explains
explores
echoes
feels
finds
focuses on

Hasan (2002) states..

Frieda (2011) says

goes further
holds that
implies
insists
includes
identifies
maintains
mentions
notes
observes
points out

points to
prefers
proves
proposes
provides
evidence
qualifies
recalls
refers to
reminds
responds
speculates
summarizes
suggests
touches on
verifies
writes that

Extra tips:
1. When reading, get the gist, the main idea, of
what the author wants to say.
2. Read several times until you feel that you get
the message.
3. Note the important points. Write them down.
4. Look away from the original text when you
rewrite in your own words.
5. Remember, writing is a process. Go through it
until you get an effective paraphrase.

All the best!

Rasheedah Zakariya

fasihenglish@gmail.com

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