Vocabulary bank Reporting findings


You cannot use another writer’s words unless you directly quote. Instead, you must restate or paraphrase. But be very careful with precise legal terminology. For example, burglary is not the same as robbery.


There are several useful ways to do this:


use a synonym of a word or phrase permission Ëconsent at the hearing Ëin court


change negative to positive and vice versa


use a replacement subject


change from active to passive or vice versa


change the order of information


the appeal failed Ëthe appeal did not succeed


the defendant may appeal Ëthere may be an appeal against the conviction


the judge can direct the jury to


bring in a verdict of not guilty Ëthe jury can be directed to bring in a not guilty verdict


in the summing up, the judge


outlined the facts of the case Ëthe facts of the case were outlined during the judge’s summing up


When reporting findings from one source, you should use all the methods above. Example:


Original text Report Important


When paraphrasing, you should aim to make sure that 90% of the words you use are different from the original. It is not enough to change only a few vocabulary items: this will result in plagiarism. A paraphrase should only be used in conjunction with a clear acknowledgement of the source.


Example:


Original text Plagiarism


If convicted, the accused could be sent to prison for life.


If the accused is convicted, he could be sent to prison for life.


McGill was loaned a car for the express purpose of taking his wife to the railway station.


The defendant borrowed a car solely in order to take his spouse to catch a train.


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