Mastering Paraphrasing Skills for the TOEFL is a crucial skill for your success. Whether you’re tackling reading comprehension questions or crafting responses in the speaking and writing sections, for example, the ability to effectively paraphrase is essential. In this guide, therefore, we’ll explore some strategies to help you master paraphrasing and provide practice exercises to sharpen your skills.
- Understand the Original Meaning: Before attempting to paraphrase a passage or spoken statement, it’s important to fully understand the original meaning. Take your time to read or listen carefully, paying close attention to the main ideas, supporting details, and tone of the text. If necessary, read or listen to the passage multiple times to ensure comprehension.
- Identify Key Ideas and Vocabulary: Once you’ve grasped the original meaning, identify the key ideas and vocabulary used in the text. Highlight or make note of words or phrases that are crucial to conveying the main points. These may include nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs that carry significant meaning.
- Use Synonyms and Rewording: Paraphrasing involves expressing the same ideas in different words while maintaining the original meaning. Replace key words and phrases with synonyms or rephrase them using alternative language. Be careful to preserve the intended meaning and context of the original text.
- Change Sentence Structure: In addition to substituting words, vary the sentence structure when paraphrasing. Transform active voice sentences into passive voice, change the order of clauses, or alter sentence length to provide a fresh perspective while retaining the original meaning.
- Focus on the Essence: When paraphrasing, focus on capturing the essence or core message of the original text rather than replicating it word-for-word. Summarize complex ideas into simpler language and convey the author’s intentions accurately.
- Practice paraphrasing with Example Sentences: Let’s practice paraphrasing with some example sentences:Original Sentence: “The rapid advancement of technology has transformed the way we communicate with one another.” Original Sentence: “Climate change poses a significant threat to global biodiversity.”
Original Sentence: “The protagonist’s moral dilemma drives the narrative forward.”
- Engage in Regular Practice: Like any skill, mastering paraphrasing requires regular practice. Incorporate paraphrasing exercises into your daily study routine. Practice paraphrasing passages from TOEFL practice materials, news articles, or academic texts. Challenge yourself to paraphrase spoken statements from podcasts, TED Talks, or educational videos.
- Seek Feedback and Review: After completing paraphrasing exercises, seek feedback from teachers, tutors, or study partners. Review your paraphrased passages together, identifying areas of improvement and discussing strategies for enhancing your paraphrasing skills.
- Utilize Online Resources: Take advantage of online resources and tools designed to improve paraphrasing skills. Websites, apps, and online courses offer interactive exercises, quizzes, and tutorials to help you refine your paraphrasing abilities.
- Stay Consistent and Persistent: Consistency and persistence are key to mastering paraphrasing. Make paraphrasing a regular part of your TOEFL preparation routine and continue practicing until you feel confident in your ability to paraphrase accurately and effectively.
By following these strategies and dedicating time to practice paraphrasing regularly, you’ll build the skills needed to excel on the TOEFL exam and beyond. Remember, mastering paraphrasing skills for the TOEFL is not only a valuable test-taking skill but also a crucial communication skill that will serve you well in academic and professional contexts. Happy paraphrasing!
Michael Buckhoff, mbuckhoff@aol.com