Answering in Own Words (Paraphrasing Techniques)

4. Answering in Own Words (Paraphrasing Techniques)

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Why This Topic is Critical

• This is one of the highest mark-loss areas in Paper 1

• Appears in:

  • Q1(b) style questions

  • Q1(h) explanations

  • Q3(a) Summary

• If you copy instead of paraphrase:

  • You lose marks even if meaning is correct

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What Does “Use Your Own Words” Mean?

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• You must:

  • Change vocabulary

  • Change structure

  • Keep meaning EXACTLY the same

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Example

Text:

• “scanning desperately”

Correct paraphrase:

• searching urgently

• looking anxiously

Incorrect:

• scanning quickly

• scanning desperately

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Key Rule

• If examiner can see original wording → marks lost

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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Step-by-Step Paraphrasing Method

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Step 1: Break the Phrase

Example:

• “scanning desperately”

Break into:

• scanning

• desperately

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Step 2: Replace Each Word

• scanning → searching / looking

• desperately → urgently / anxiously

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Step 3: Combine Clearly

• searching urgently

• looking anxiously

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Step 4: Check Meaning

• Must match original meaning exactly

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Types of Paraphrasing Required

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1. Word-Level Paraphrasing

• Replace individual words

Example:

• “huge” → large

• “angry” → furious

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2. Phrase-Level Paraphrasing

• Replace full idea

Example:

• “too weak to move”
  → unable to move due to lack of strength

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3. Sentence-Level Paraphrasing

• Used in summary

Example:

• “Many climbers queue to reach the summit”
  → large numbers of climbers line up to reach the top

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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What Examiner is Looking For

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• Clear understanding of:

  • meaning

  • context

• NOT looking for:

  • complex vocabulary

  • unnecessary sophistication

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Common Mistakes in Paraphrasing

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Mistake 1: Partial Copying

• “scanning desperately”
  → “scanning urgently”

Problem:

• “scanning” still copied

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Mistake 2: Changing Only One Word

• Not enough transformation

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Mistake 3: Changing Meaning

• “desperately” → “quickly”

Problem:

• meaning changed

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Mistake 4: Overcomplicating

• Using difficult words incorrectly

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Mistake 5: Keeping Same Structure

• Same sentence shape = still copying

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Advanced Paraphrasing Strategy

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Use Synonym Groups

Example:

Word	Alternatives
look	observe, examine, glance
scared	frightened, afraid, anxious
big	large, huge, massive

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Use Meaning Expansion

Example:

• “weak” → lacking strength

• “angry” → feeling strong annoyance

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Use Sentence Restructuring

Example:

• “He could not move because he was weak”
  → “His lack of strength prevented him from moving”

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course

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Special Focus: Paraphrasing in Summary

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What You Must Do

• Convert ALL points into own words

• Link smoothly

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Example

Original:

• “Climbers can pay Sherpas to carry loads”

Paraphrase:

• climbers hire local guides to carry their equipment

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What You Must Avoid

• Copying full phrases

• Keeping structure identical

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Quick Test for Yourself

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Ask:

• Have I changed ALL key words?

• Does my sentence still mean the same?

• Can examiner recognise original wording?

If yes → improve it

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Examiner Insight

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• According to marking:

  • Own words show understanding

  • Copying shows no processing

• Therefore:

  • Paraphrasing = marks

  • Copying = lost marks

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Final Strategy

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• Always:

  • break → replace → rebuild

• Keep:

  • simple

  • accurate

  • clear

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Final Insight

• Paraphrasing is not about sounding smart

• It is about:

  • proving understanding

• Students who master this:

  • gain marks in multiple questions

  • especially summary

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Written and Compiled By Sir Hunain Zia, World Record Holder With 154 Total A Grades, 7 Distinctions and 11 World Records For Educate A Change O Level And IGCSE English Language Full Scale Course