Reading Comprehension Skills Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing means putting information into your own words You can paraphrase: ◦ A single word ◦ A phrase or group of words ◦ A sentence or sentences ◦ An image ◦ A chart ◦ A table or graph You can paraphrase: ◦ A single word ◦ A phrase or group of words ◦ A sentence or sentences ◦ An image ◦ A chart ◦ A table or graph

Why paraphrase? When we paraphrase… ◦ we demonstrate our comprehension of a written text ◦ we demonstrate our comprehension of a spoken text ◦ we enhance our understanding of a text by putting it in our own words If you can explain something in your own words, then you have a good understanding of a topic When we paraphrase… ◦ we demonstrate our comprehension of a written text ◦ we demonstrate our comprehension of a spoken text ◦ we enhance our understanding of a text by putting it in our own words If you can explain something in your own words, then you have a good understanding of a topic

Characteristics of a Good Paraphrase A paraphrase must be correct. ✓ A paraphrase must include your own words A paraphrase must make sense. A paraphrase must be correct. ✓ A paraphrase must include your own words A paraphrase must make sense.

Example Paragraph from a Newspaper Article

Notice key words Let’s look at our article again, but we will highlight key words and phrases: The information at the bottom of the page is details Let’s look at our article again, but we will highlight key words and phrases: The information at the bottom of the page is details

How to paraphrase? Here are some ideas for creating your own words for the headline: “Vancouver company creates GPS-enabled goggles to deliver instant feedback for skiing and snowboarding” Synonyms A synonym is a word that has the same meaning or a very close meaning to the original word. Examples: A synonym for Vancouver company is a local company. A synonym for GPS-enabled goggles is goggles with GPS A synonym for instant is immediate. You do not have to change every word – certain key words cannot be changed Our paraphrase now reads: A local company creates goggles with GPS to deliver immediate feedback for skiing and snowboarding Here are some ideas for creating your own words for the headline: “Vancouver company creates GPS-enabled goggles to deliver instant feedback for skiing and snowboarding” Synonyms A synonym is a word that has the same meaning or a very close meaning to the original word. Examples: A synonym for Vancouver company is a local company. A synonym for GPS-enabled goggles is goggles with GPS A synonym for instant is immediate. You do not have to change every word – certain key words cannot be changed Our paraphrase now reads: A local company creates goggles with GPS to deliver immediate feedback for skiing and snowboarding

How else do I paraphrase? Grammar and Word Form Another idea is to change the grammar or word form: “Skiing and snowboarding has taken on a new high tech twist.” Could become: A new high tech innovation has been developed for skiers and snowboarders Note the active to the passive voice and the verb change: has taken on = has been developed Note the the synonym for twist = innovation Note the word form change for skiing = skiers Note the word form change for snowboarding = snowboarders Grammar and Word Form Another idea is to change the grammar or word form: “Skiing and snowboarding has taken on a new high tech twist.” Could become: A new high tech innovation has been developed for skiers and snowboarders Note the active to the passive voice and the verb change: has taken on = has been developed Note the the synonym for twist = innovation Note the word form change for skiing = skiers Note the word form change for snowboarding = snowboarders

Other Types of Documents: Graph Example

Highlighted Information

Paraphrased Information Employment statistics remained fairly constant in September with a slight drop Decrease in part time work was balanced with an increase in full time jobs Young people aged were especially affected. Employment statistics remained fairly constant in September with a slight drop Decrease in part time work was balanced with an increase in full time jobs Young people aged were especially affected.

Highlighted Information

Conclusion When we paraphrase, we put parts of a text into our own words Paraphrasing demonstrates understanding– if you can explain it in your own words, you have a good understanding of an idea or phrase To paraphrase, use such techniques as synonyms, changing grammar and word forms When we paraphrase, we put parts of a text into our own words Paraphrasing demonstrates understanding– if you can explain it in your own words, you have a good understanding of an idea or phrase To paraphrase, use such techniques as synonyms, changing grammar and word forms

Sources Paraphrasing-ppt Paraphrasing-ppt goggles-deliver-instant-feedback-on-your-skiing-and- snowboarding.aspx?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ca nada%2FiWCa+%28Digital+Life% ►