Paraphrasing Basics
What does it mean to paraphrase a text?
To restate the author’s ideas in your own words.
What does it mean to summarize a text?
To tell the most important parts in a shorter way.
If you rewrite one sentence in your own words, is that paraphrasing or summarizing?
Paraphrasing.
Paraphrase: “The boy tended to his garden daily.”
The boy took care of his garden every day.
What must stay the same when you paraphrase?
The meaning of the text.
What should you include in a summary?
Main message and major events.
If you shorten a whole passage into a few sentences, what is it?
Summarizing.
Paraphrase: “The tomatoes were ready to harvest.”
The tomatoes were ready to be picked.
Why shouldn’t you copy the author’s exact words when paraphrasing?
Because paraphrasing requires using your own words.
What should you leave out of a summary?
Small details or unimportant information.
Which focuses on ALL key events: paraphrasing or summarizing?
Summarizing.
Summarize: Sherry sees a butterfly and then finds a crystal.
Sherry explores outside, sees a butterfly, and discovers a special crystal.
What is one way to change a sentence when paraphrasing?
Use synonyms or change sentence structure.
In what order should a summary be written?
Logical order (beginning, middle, end).
Which focuses on changing wording but keeping details: paraphrasing or summarizing?
Paraphrasing.
What is the first step when summarizing a text?
Identify the main idea.
What is the biggest mistake students make when paraphrasing?
Copying too much of the original text.
Why are summaries shorter than the original text?
Because they only include the most important information.
Which one is usually longer: a paraphrase or a summary?
A paraphrase.
What question helps you summarize a text?
What happened in the beginning, middle, and end?