Knowing and improving paraphrasing skills of Mexican college students

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to develop both an activity and an instrument to support college students’ learning of the proper ways to paraphrase. Design/methodology/approach This study used a participatory action research approach, consisting of four phases. A survey was used to collect information, as well as a rubric to evaluate students’ competencies in paraphrasing, before and after an educational intervention activity. The tools were designed by the authors. Findings The findings suggest that students only have a partial understanding of the elements that are needed to write an adequate paraphrase, despite the declared importance in academic dialogue by the majority of them. The findings also suggest that a short-range intervention can help students develop their skills in paraphrasing. Research limitations/implications This research was conducted mostly with a small group of first-year college students and a professor they have known for a year. Therefore, a level of trust had been established. This trust relationship is necessary to achieve a participatory action in an unscheduled activity. Only some of the major results are presented. Originality/value Little actual research has been conducted on college students’ perception on paraphrasing and its importance, as well as on their abilities to paraphrase, especially in the Latin American context. This study demonstrates the usefulness of a short-range intervention that can be easily applied in any course or information literacy program.