Paraphrasing
What is Paraphrasing?
First off, what Calvin does in this comic is not an example of good paraphrasing.
Let's look at the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing.
HINT: Pretend like you're explaining each sentence to someone who doesn't speak English very well.
How do I rewrite information? Here are some strategies.
All we did was START these paraphrases. They're all too similar to the original. We took the first step, and now we need to complete them.
1. If you’re going to New York for Christmas, be sure to take warm clothes.
Be sure to take warm clothes if you’re going to New York for Christmas.
2. Even though the weather was good, Joan was in a bad mood.
Joan was in a bad mood, even though the weather was good.
3. I had no money, so I borrowed some.
I borrowed some money, because I had none.
1. The way a person dresses affects the impression that other people have.
The way a person dresses influences the image that other people have.
2. That phrase means “in a happy way.”
That expression means “in a cheerful way.”
3. There is little chance that the situation will improve.
There is little possibility that the circumstances will get better.
1. Shaun was disappointed, because the movie wasn’t very good.
Shaun wasn’t satisfied, because the movie wasn’t very good.
2. Japan is not a small country, compared to European countries.
Japan is a large country, compared to European countries.
3. Geri wanted some candy, but there wasn’t any in the bowl.
Geri wanted some candy, but the bowl was empty.
1. Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII. She is one of England’s most famous queens.
Elizabeth I, who was the daughter of Henry VIII, was one of England’s most famous queens.
2. This book is about a woman who pretended to be a man to join the army in World War II. It is one of Lynn’s favorite books.
This book, which is one of Lynn’s favorites, is about a woman who pretended to be a man to join the army in World War II.
3. If you go to London, you should be sure to visit Westminster Abbey, where many of the kings and queens of England, as well as other famous people, are buried.
If you go to London, you should be sure to visit Westminster Abbey. Many kings and queens of England are buried there. Other famous people are buried there, too.
Let's Try it Together!http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=WCN4802
First off, what Calvin does in this comic is not an example of good paraphrasing.
Let's look at the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing.
- Summarizing, as we already learned, is when you highlight main ideas and a few supporting details in a very short paragraph. Summarizing is about taking something large and condensing it to a very compact form that only covers the key parts.
- Paraphrasing is much different. Paraphrasing is when you take information from another source, put it in your own wording, and tell us where the information came from.
HINT: Pretend like you're explaining each sentence to someone who doesn't speak English very well.
- Original: It took Paul George several years to become an All-Star basketball player.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: Giraffes like Acacia leaves and hay and they can consume 75 pounds of food a day.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: Pepperoni and bacon pizza is the best pizza in the entire world. Get it on thin crust.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: After an incredible first two seasons, Heroes quickly turned into the same old thing over and over.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: James Harden, who scored 28 points to go along with 12 rebounds, led his Houston Rockets to victory.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: Mary drank from her water bottle because she was thirsty after the long climb.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: My cat, Simba, can do this incredible trick where he flips into the air and catches a paper ball in his mouth.
- Paraphrase:
- Original: Justin Timberlake was seen helping feed the homeless at a local homeless shelter.
- Paraphrase:
How do I rewrite information? Here are some strategies.
All we did was START these paraphrases. They're all too similar to the original. We took the first step, and now we need to complete them.
- Changing word order
1. If you’re going to New York for Christmas, be sure to take warm clothes.
Be sure to take warm clothes if you’re going to New York for Christmas.
2. Even though the weather was good, Joan was in a bad mood.
Joan was in a bad mood, even though the weather was good.
3. I had no money, so I borrowed some.
I borrowed some money, because I had none.
- Using synonyms
1. The way a person dresses affects the impression that other people have.
The way a person dresses influences the image that other people have.
2. That phrase means “in a happy way.”
That expression means “in a cheerful way.”
3. There is little chance that the situation will improve.
There is little possibility that the circumstances will get better.
- Using negatives or opposite expressions
1. Shaun was disappointed, because the movie wasn’t very good.
Shaun wasn’t satisfied, because the movie wasn’t very good.
2. Japan is not a small country, compared to European countries.
Japan is a large country, compared to European countries.
3. Geri wanted some candy, but there wasn’t any in the bowl.
Geri wanted some candy, but the bowl was empty.
- Combining or separating sentences
1. Elizabeth I was the daughter of Henry VIII. She is one of England’s most famous queens.
Elizabeth I, who was the daughter of Henry VIII, was one of England’s most famous queens.
2. This book is about a woman who pretended to be a man to join the army in World War II. It is one of Lynn’s favorite books.
This book, which is one of Lynn’s favorites, is about a woman who pretended to be a man to join the army in World War II.
3. If you go to London, you should be sure to visit Westminster Abbey, where many of the kings and queens of England, as well as other famous people, are buried.
If you go to London, you should be sure to visit Westminster Abbey. Many kings and queens of England are buried there. Other famous people are buried there, too.
Let's Try it Together!http://www.wisc-online.com/Objects/ViewObject.aspx?ID=WCN4802