1. Paraphrasing
Class #8
February 14, 2013

2. For Today For next class
Find one article about August Wilson’s life and times
Bring the article to class
If you can’t print out the article, bring some important details, facts, statistics, examples, or any other important information that you have written down from the article.
We will write a paragraph summarizing the article and work on paraphrasing at least 2 facts or details from the article
Please post your summaries of the article with paraphrased points on the discussion board before next class.

3. Different Levels of Reading: Paraphrasing
When we read, we should be considerate of different things we need to do
Paraphrase or translate
This is when we try to understand the essential meaning of the reading
What is the author trying to say? How does she say it?
The paraphrase begins to point us towards possible concerns or issues related to the topic

4. Different levels of reading: Explaining and Clarifying
Clarifying the main idea
To clarify the thesis of a paragraph or larger text
State the main point of the paragraph in one or two sentences.
Then elaborate on the paraphrased sentences(“In other words,...”).
Give examples of the meaning by tying it to concrete situations in
the real world (“For example,...”).

5. The Different Levels of Reading: Analysis
Asking the following questions in any order provides a method for analyzing.
The main purpose of this article is ______________________. (Try to state, as accurately as possible, the author’s intent in writing the article. What is the author trying to accomplish?)
The key question that the author is addressing is ______________________. (Figure out the key question that was in the mind of the author when he or she wrote the article. What was the key question addressed in the article?)
The most important information in this article is______________. (Identify the key information the author used, or presupposed, in the article to support his or her main arguments. Look for facts, experiences, and/or data the author is using to support conclusions.)
The main inferences in this article are _________________. (Identify the most important conclusions the author comes to and presents in the article.)
The key concept(s) the reader needs to understand in this article is _______________________________________

6. Paraphrasing
When you paraphrase, you are translating the author’s ideas and thoughts into your own.
Your paraphrase is successful if you are able to capture the meaning of the original statement.
How can you paraphrase? What do you need to do?

7. When should we paraphrase?
When we want to….
Provide support for claims or add credibility to your writing
Refer to work that leads up to the work you are now doing
Give examples of several points of view on a subject
Call attention to a position that you wish to agree or disagree with
Highlight a particularly striking phrase, sentence, or passage by quoting the original
Distance yourself from the original by quoting it in order to cue readers that the words are not your own
Expand the breadth or depth of your writing

8. Steps for paraphrasing
Read the entire text, noting the key points and main ideas.
Summarize in your own words what the single main idea of the essay is.
Paraphrase important supporting points that come up in the essay.
Consider any words, phrases, or brief passages that you believe should be quoted directly.

9. Steps for paraphrasing
There are several ways to integrate quotations into your text.
Often, a short quotation works well when integrated into a sentence. Longer quotations can stand alone.
Remember that quoting should be done only sparingly; be sure that you have a good reason to include a direct quotation when you decide to do so. You'll

10. Steps for Paraphrasing
Reread the original passage until you understand its full meaning.
Set the original aside, and write your paraphrase on a note card.
Write down a few words below your paraphrase to remind you later how you envision using this material. At the top of the note card, write a key word or phrase to indicate the subject of your paraphrase.

11. Steps for Paraphrasing
Check your version with the original to make sure that your version accurately expresses all the essential information in a new form.
Use quotation marks to identify any unique term or phrasing you have borrowed exactly from the source.
Record the source (including the page) on your note card so that you can credit it easily if you decide to incorporate the material into your paper.

12. Other options After reading and rereading the original text,
Compare the original with the paraphrase.
Does it have the same meaning?
Did you leave out any essential details?
Do you use too many exact words?
Circle any words that are repeated from the original in your paraphrase.
If words are general and unnecessary to switch (wall, sit) then don’t worry about switching them.
If there is a phrase that is too difficult to translate (or really well written), use quotation marks within your paraphrase.

13. Paraphrase Try to paraphrase the following sentence:
The elephant is the only animal that cannot jump with all of its legs off the ground.
What is the main idea?
What words can be changed?
How about this one:
Humpty Dumpty say on a wall. Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men, couldn’t put Humpty back together again.

14. Look at the examples
Which one seems to be the best example of a paraphrase?
Remember that the original piece is the first one.
Which one seems less accurate?
Which one seems plagiarized?
Why?

15. Practice
Read through the article about College Students and Critical Thinking in small groups
Choose one fact or detail from the reading to paraphrase.
Work with a partner to develop a paraphrase of the information