1. PARAPHRASING restating or explaining something in your own words

2. Tips for paraphrasing… Try to picture the action to help restate or paraphrase the action.

3. Another tip… Break down long sentences so that they can be paraphrased (put into your own words).

4. Paraphrasing helps you read DRAMA. Shakespearean drama contains much figurative language. Remember that these are words used imaginatively instead of literally.

5. What does a paraphrase include? A paraphrase keeps the meaning of the author’s words, but is SIMPLER.

6. How to PICTURE THE ACTION to help you paraphrase: 1. Use details in the play to form a mental image of the characters, setting and actions. 2. Be sure your picture is the SAME as what is described in the text. 3. Use your OWN WORDS to describe your mental image of the scene and the action.

7. EXAMPLE: lines of poetry: Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe. details in these lines: “thou” = you “stir one foot” = move; go “seek a foe” = look for an enemy; fight PARAPHRASE: You will not move one foot to fight!

8. How to break down LONG SENTENCES: SIMPLIFY the text by dividing long sentences into parts, and then paraphrase those parts.

9. More on BREAKING IT DOWN: Are there multiple subjects and verbs? Try separating those into smaller sentences with one subject and verb each. Are there punctuation marks? such as colons, semicolons, or dashes? Try treating those as periods. Long phrases or passages in parentheses? Turn each one into a separate sentence.

10. EXAMPLE: ORIGINAL LINES FROM PLAY: Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel— Will they not hear?

11. PARAPHRASE: Rebels! Enemies of peace! Abusing your swords to kill your neighbors! Won’t they listen to me? Rebellious subjects, enemies to peace, Profaners of this neighbour-stained steel— Will they not hear?

12. WHEN YOU MUST PARAPHRASE: 1. Picture the action and describe what you “see” in your own words. 2. Break down long sentences into smaller parts and put those into your own words. 3. Make it simple, but keep all of the original ideas there!