Paraphrasing

Types

Some believe that using synonyms in paraphrasing can be a helpful learning tool; however, it is important to teach students how to restructure sentences to avoid plagiarism. Research on English language learners has shown that ESL students often rely on synonyms rather than altering sentence structure when paraphrasing. A study involving Vietnamese ESL learners revealed that they preferred using synonyms because they were afraid that changing the sentence structure could alter the meaning. Na and Mai recommend that ESL teachers incorporate diverse activities, including tasks that involve modifying syntax, to help students improve their paraphrasing skills. Additionally, students should be provided with source texts that they can easily comprehend to practice paraphrasing effectively.