PARAPHRASING TECHNIQUES USED BY THE SIXTH SEMESTER STUDENTS OF THE ENGLISH EDUCATION STUDY PROGRAM OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BENGKULU

The aims of this research were to find out the paraphrasing techniques
used and the difficulties faced by students in paraphrasing. This research was
designed as a descriptive quantitative research. The population was 106 students
of the sixth semester students of the English Education Study Program of the
University of Bengkulu. The sample of this research was 53 students chosen by
using simple random technique. The instrument was a questionnaire. The results
of this study show the paraphrasing techniques used by students are using
synonyms (3.27), changing voice (3.11), changing word order (3.08), changing
the words form (3.04), changing clause and phrase (3.00), and changing direct to
indirect quotation technique (2.98). Besides, the difficulties students face in
paraphrasing are the lack of vocabulary (2.77), others (Time management, lack of
practice and focus) (2.74), lack of reading comprehensions skills (2.72),
documentation skills (2.71) and English proficiency (2.70). It can be concluded
that there are six paraphrasing techniques used by students and using synonyms
technique is the most widely used by students in paraphrasing. In addition,
students faced five difficulties in paraphrasing and the most common difficulty
faced by students is related to their lack of vocabulary. Finally, it is suggested for
students to apply and improve their paraphrasing skills. It is also suggested for
lecturers to give solutions to overcome students’ difficulties in paraphrasing and
for the next research, it is recommended to conduct research on the same topic
using a large sample.
Keywords: Paraphrasing, Techniques, Difficulties, Academic Writing