ParaphrasingSandra Sembel

What is Paraphrasing?O Paraphrasing is taking a set of facts or

opinions and rewording them. O When paraphrasing, it is important to keep

the original meaning and details and to present it in a new form.

O Basically, you are simply writing something in your own words that expresses the original idea and details.

Why Paraphrasing?O It aids comprehension – we can paraphrase

something only when we have understood the information.

O It helps us retain the information longer in our memory.

O It exercises our critical thinking.

How?O Read and understand the original sentence(s).O Identify and jot down the key ideas.O Combine the key ideas and details in a

sentence/paragraph.O Reread it again to make sure it has served the

purpose.O Write down the source.

ExamplesSentences

Example 1Original: O In her lifetime, Mary contributed a lot to bring

great transformation to the life of women.

Paraphrase: O Mary’s life was dedicated to make incredible

change for women.

Example 2Original: O Giraffes like Acacia leaves and hay and they

can consume 75 pounds of food a day.

Paraphrase: O A giraffe can eat up to 75 pounds of Acacia

leaves and hay everyday.

Example 3Can you try this?

Original: O Any trip to Italy should include a visit to

Tuscany to sample their exquisite wines.

Paraphrase: ?

Example 3Can you try this?

Original: O Any trip to Italy should include a visit to Tuscany

to sample their exquisite wines.

Paraphrase: ?O Be sure to include a Tuscan wine-tasting

experience when visiting Italy.

Try this!1. My car needs gasoline.2. A college student usually has a lot of

assignments to do.3. Honesty is the best policy.

ExamplesParagraphs

Original Paragraph 1O In The Sopranos, the mob is besieged as much

by inner infidelity as it is by the federal government. Early in the series, the greatest threat to Tony's Family is his own biological family. One of his closest associates turns witness for the FBI, his mother colludes with his uncle to contract a hit on Tony, and his kids click through Web sites that track the federal crackdown in Tony's gangland.

Paraphrased Paragraph 1O In the first season of The Sopranos, Tony

Soprano’s mobster activities are more threatened by members of his biological family than by agents of the federal government. This familial betrayal is multi-pronged. Tony’s closest friend and associate is an FBI informant, his mother and uncle are conspiring to have him killed, and his children are surfing the Web for information about his activities.

Original Paragraph 2O Students frequently overuse direct quotation in

taking notes, and as a result they overuse quotations in the final [research] paper. Probably only about 10% of your final manuscript should appear as directly quoted matter. Therefore, you should strive to limit the amount of exact transcribing of source materials while taking notes. Lester, James D. Writing Research Papers. 2nd ed. (1976): 46-47.

Paraphrased Paragraph 2O In research papers students often quote

excessively, failing to keep quoted material down to a desirable level. Since the problem usually originates during note taking, it is essential to minimize the material recorded verbatim (Lester 46-47).

Now, try this!Paragraph 1O Although our human ability to communicate is

genetically determined and hence is a part of our biological nature, speech development is importantly affected by the environment.

Paragraph 2O Learning to talk occurs in similar ways and on

similar schedules for all normal children, with little effect of differences in training or practice.

Paragraph 3O Although a bad environment can retard

language development, children can learn to speak in any environment where other people speak, but they need a supportive environment to learn to speak eloquently.