British Council IELTS tips #6: Top five paraphrasing techniques

Introduction

Paraphrasing is a critical skill for achieving high scores in the IELTS Writing Task 1 and 2. Many students struggle with this technique, often resorting to copying the question verbatim, which can negatively impact their scores. This tutorial outlines five effective paraphrasing techniques to help you enhance your writing and improve your IELTS performance.

Step 1: Understand the Original Text

• Read the question carefully to grasp its full meaning.
• Identify the key ideas, phrases, and vocabulary that need to be paraphrased.
• Avoid focusing on individual words; instead, understand the overall message.

Step 2: Use Synonyms

• Replace words in the original text with their synonyms.
  • Example: Change "happy" to "joyful" or "pleased."
• Ensure the synonym fits the context and maintains the original meaning.
• Be cautious with synonyms that may alter the intended meaning.

Step 3: Change the Sentence Structure

• Rearrange the sentence while keeping the original meaning.
  • Example:
    • Original: "The results show a significant increase in sales."
    • Paraphrase: "There has been a notable rise in sales, according to the results."
• Use different grammatical forms (e.g., change active voice to passive voice).
• This technique can help you avoid repetition while enhancing variety in your writing.

Step 4: Break Down Long Sentences

• Divide complex sentences into shorter ones to clarify meaning.
  • Example:
    • Original: "The study indicates that students who study regularly tend to perform better in exams."
    • Paraphrase: "According to the study, regular studying leads to better exam performance for students."
• Simplifying sentences can make your writing more accessible and easier to understand.

Step 5: Use Different Word Forms

• Change the form of words (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.) to create variation.
  • Example:
    • Original: "The development of technology has transformed communication."
    • Paraphrase: "Technological advancements have changed the way we communicate."
• This technique helps to diversify your vocabulary and showcases your language proficiency.

Conclusion

Mastering these five paraphrasing techniques can significantly improve your IELTS writing skills. By understanding the original text, using synonyms, altering sentence structures, breaking down complex sentences, and changing word forms, you will be better equipped to paraphrase effectively. Incorporate these strategies into your study routine to enhance your writing and increase your chances of achieving a higher score on the IELTS exam. Start practicing today!