Synthesizing & Paraphrasing Information Strategies and techniques

Steps Identifying the Information Paraphrasing Sourcing

What to do when you are reading Newspaper stories put most of the facts and ideas into the first few paragraphs.  Read beyond these for interesting, relevant details. What to do when you are reading Highlight what is important and meaningful to you such as ideas, facts, and concepts. Only highlight what you could explain to someone else. Do not highlight something that sounds important but that you do not understand. Make notes on the page to help you find the information later. If you do not understand parts of the article, read it all the way through one time without highlighting. Then go back and look for the important information. After reading all of the articles, go back and read them all again. You might notice new information and links because you can see the bigger picture. TIP – All important information in a newspaper article can be found in the first few paragraphs.

Identifying Ideas Create a code that works for you: MI – Main idea D – Detail (regular information) ID – Important detail (statistics, facts) S – Summary ??? – Don’t understand AA – Appropriate Angle

Paraphrasing Highlight the important information related to the angle/aspect. Paraphrase 70% and source

Quotes may be repeated or used in an indirect or direct manner. Indirect Quotation is presenting an author’s words in your own words. Examples of Indirect Quotes/Quoting: Summaries and paraphrases Direct Quotation is copying or repeating words verbatim (exactly as they appear) from a source other than your own mind. Example of a Direct Quote: According to the Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue Center handout, involves keeping the “person’s name near the quote in your notes, and in your paper.” (OWL, 2013)

Now, on to “Paraphrasing” . . . “Paraphrasing is the process of rewriting someone else's idea(s) in your own words.” A paraphrase may include some of the same words as the original quote. However, try to use your own words or synonyms whenever you can. (unilearning)

Why Paraphrase Quotes and Cite Sources? Main Reasons: (1) To show that you comprehend what you have read and yet, you still can give your source credit for the ideas. (2) To keep your instructors from accusing you of plagiarism or intellectual theft.

How to source a paraphrase… According to _____ (year), ________ (year) states/reports that..

Paraphrasing Example from unilearn: (Original) The climate in most groups and organizations does not encourage open expression of feelings. The necessity of hiding feelings, Organizational Development practitioners believe, has a negative effect not only on group member’s willingness and ability to solve problems constructively, but also on job satisfaction and performance. From: Stoner, J. A. F. & Wankel, C. (1986) Management. (3rd Edition), New Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Example from unilearn: (Paraphrase) Stoner and Wankel (1986) report that many people work in settings where they must routinely suppress their emotions. Therefore, suppressing emotions may have a negative impact on employees’ problem-solving ability, motivation, enjoyment and workplace productivity (Stoner and Wankel, 1986). From: unilearn

Paraphrase this spoken quote. “In a world filled with hate, we must still dare to hope. In a world filled with anger, we must still dare to comfort. In a world filled with despair, we must still dare to dream. And in a world filled with distrust, we must still dare to believe.” (Michael Jackson 2006).

Paraphrase This…