Written by Gabriela Estrada

If you are studying English at an intermediate level, whether for academic reasons, for work, or for important tests such as IELTS, you have probably heard about the importance of paraphrasing. 

Paraphrasing not only helps to avoid plagiarism in writing, it is also a basic tool to demonstrate that you understand what you read and to improve your ability to express yourself naturally in English.  

Today, on our Planeta Immiland Education blog, I will give you details of what paraphrasing means and why it is so useful in language learning. In addition, I will share with you an effective strategy for developing this skill. Read with me to the end and make a note of it - let's get started!

What is paraphrasing and why is it so important?  

Paraphrasing consists of expressing the meaning of a text using one's own words, but maintaining the original essence. In terms of reading comprehension, paraphrasing demonstrates that a person can grasp the main message of a text, restructure it and communicate it accurately.  

This is especially useful in IELTS, where the ability to rephrase information in sections such as writing, reading and listening responses is tested. It is also beneficial in work and study, where expressing ideas in one's own words highlights a good command of the language.  

Here is an effective paraphrasing strategy.

Effective strategy for intermediate students

I present the method of the three "R's".

• Read(Read)

The first step is to carefully read the text you wish to paraphrase. Take your time to identify the main ideas and key words. 

Remember to use underlining to extract main ideas. For example, if you are reading an article on climate change, identify phrases such as "rising global temperatures" or "carbon emissions".  

• Rewrite (Rewrite)  

Once you understand the text, try to explain it without looking at the original. Use synonyms and different grammatical structures, but do not change the meaning. 

• Review

Compare your paraphrase with the original text. Make sure that you have not copied complete sentences and that the meaning is faithful to the original. Also check grammar and vocabulary to ensure clarity.  

Practical tips for successful paraphrasing  

At intermediate to advanced levels, it is much easier to paraphrase because you have more vocabulary. If this is your case,

• Use synonyms wisely: words like increase can be replaced by rise o growth.
• Change the order of the ideas: if the original text says: "Students learn English to improve their job opportunities", you can say: "Improving job opportunities is one reason why many students learn English".
• Simplify complex sentences: reformulate long sentences into clearer, easier-to-understand parts.  

Finally, perform these exercises at home: 

• Choose a paragraph from an article or book in English.  
• Read and underline the main ideas.  
• Close the text and try to rewrite it in your own words.  
• Share your paraphrase with a classmate or teacher for feedback.  

Paraphrasing not only improves your ability to demonstrate reading comprehension, it also trains you to think in English and expand your vocabulary. Integrate this skill into your study routine and you will see your English become more fluent and confident!  

Learn English with Planeta Immiland Education

At Planeta Immiland Education, we offer English and French courses for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners. If you would like to learn more about our school's learning strategies, please contact us at and we will be happy to help you with whatever you need. You can also explore our English from zero and accelerated English programs.

We are the first immigration language school for Canada and our certified teachers can teach you to speak English for work, school or personal purposes. In addition, we are certified by Languages Canada, which guarantees a good language learning adapted to the Canadian reality.

Are you ready to paraphrase? Visit our website: https://www.planeta-immiland-education.com/programas-ingles and learn more.

I hope this topic will help you improve your ability to summarize in English and that you will soon be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing. Thanks for reading. See you in the next blog.

With love,

Planeta Immiland Education