how does paraphrasing help readers weegy

Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is taking the ideas from a source and putting them in your own words. You won’t always be able or want to quote a source word-for-word, and paraphrasing is a way to relay the author’s ideas to your audience without relying on their actual language.

This skill is critical for your academic success. First, learning to paraphrase will help you better understand what you are reading. Moreover, some disciplines only use quotations rarely—and some not at all. In most academic writing, you’ll use paraphrasing more than quoting, and frankly, if you quote, you usually need to include a paraphrase anyway.

Using a Two-Part Process

First, you need to understand the passage. Of course, you need to understand the text as a whole, but to paraphrase well, you also have to make sure that you understand more precisely the ideas in the passage you want to reference. Careful reading will help you do this.

The second part is putting the passage in your own words, frequently the more difficult part. It is not enough to substitute a few synonyms—even really good ones—to paraphrase well. Instead, you have to both alter the vocabulary where possible and avoid using the same sentence structure.

Let’s unpack that a bit.

• Alter the vocabulary. To alter the vocabulary, you need to use different words to describe the author’s point except where the specific words are necessary. Specific words to hang onto would mostly be technical language: the word itself is the most appropriate word because it is the most accurate. (Usually, this applies to nouns, but it can also apply to verbs and less frequently to adjectives and adverbs.) If the technical terms are really long or uncommon phrases, sometimes it makes sense to quote those, just so your reader knows that the phrasing comes from the author. If the words aren’t technical, you should be looking for other language.
• Change the sentence structure. Ultimately, your sentence should not look like the original, even when you are using some of the technical language. If your reader were to read the two sentences side-by-side, they should be able to see the same idea, but not the same way of phrasing that idea.

How to do this?

To write a strong paraphrase, try the following steps:

• Make sure that you understand the passage.
• Close the book or put away the article.
• Do something else for five or ten minutes—perhaps work on the rest of the paragraph.
• Without looking back at the original text, write your paraphrase. Go ahead and add it directly to the paragraph you are working on. But DON’T look at the text again until you are ready to check your paraphrase.
• Check your paraphrase against the original both to make sure your paraphrase is accurate and to make sure that you haven’t written a paraphrase that is too close to the original.

Another trick I sometimes use is imagining that I am having to explain the idea in the passage to one of my sisters. Both of them are smart people, but neither of them has the kind of detailed knowledge of the topics I write about. So, I start writing my explanation to one of them. I have to put it in relatively plain language to start, but this also helps me confirm my understanding. And those explanations can produce some pretty solid paraphrases.

Here’s an example of a paraphrase that keeps the ideas in the original source, but not the language. Notice that the paraphrase also includes citation.

Original Text

“The average cost in 2017 to install solar systems ranged from a little over $2,000 per kilowatt (kilowatts are a measure of power capacity) for large-scale systems to almost $3,700 for residential systems. A new natural gas plant might have costs around $1,000/kW. Wind comes in around $1,200 to $1,700/kw.”

Though ultimately making the case that long-term savings outweigh initial costs, the Union of Concerned Scientists points out that it costs between $2000 and $3700 per kilowatt to install different types of solar systems and between $1200 and $1700 to install wind systems. Solar and wind systems might be better environmentally, but big companies think about the money spent, especially when natural gas plants are only $1000 per kilowatt (Union).

Union of Concerned Scientists. “Barriers to Renewable Energy Technologies.” Union of Concerned Scientists , 6 June 2014, www.ucsusa.org/resources/barriers-renewable-energy-technologies .

When a writer paraphrases by relying too heavily on the existing sentence structure and vocabulary of the original, this is called “patchwriting.” Patchwriting can be considered a form of plagiarism because the writer takes the wording of someone else and claims it as their own.

Patchwriting most commonly occurs when writers keep their sources open in front of them as they write a paraphrase. It can also happen when writers memorize passages or try to write paraphrases too soon after they have put away the text. Readers are influenced not just by the ideas of writers, but also by the words that authors use to explain those ideas.

As you practice paraphrasing, you will get better at it, and it can become an excellent way to improve your understanding of difficult material. In the meantime, put your sources away, and if you find yourself patchwriting anyway, try paraphrasing your patchwriting. Every time you do it, you should find yourself a little further away from the original text.

• Good paraphrasing keeps the author’s idea, but changes both the words used by the author and the sentence structure.
• If you struggle with paraphrasing, you can get better by following a few steps: make sure you understand the passage, close the source and do something else for a little while, and then write your paraphrase without looking back at the source.
• Once you have written your paraphrase, check it against the original to make sure that you have captured the idea without relying too heavily on the language and sentence structure of the original.
• You can add short quotations to paraphrases, particularly of technical terms.
• Patchwriting, attempts at paraphrasing that stick too close to the original text, can be considered a form of plagiarism. Don’t look at the text when you write a paraphrase!

Text Attribution

This chapter was revised with the help of Lando Concepcion and Jude Ejiofor, students in my class during Spring 2022. Jude also provided the example of good paraphrasing.

An area of study, very similar to a major in college.

Reading and Writing Successfully in College: A Guide for Students Copyright © 2023 by Patricia Lynne is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Most Popular

12 days ago

How to Write a Hook

13 days ago

How to Cite Yourself

Ava ai is launched to transform student counseling, how to cite a quote within a quote, how to do footnotes, how paraphrasing helps readers understand poetry.

freepik.com

Poetry often wraps profound meanings in a blanket of metaphors, rhythm, and complex imagery. Wait, what? Exactly. For many students, the complicated structure of poetry stops them from really appreciating it. However, there is one thing that might help, and it is paraphrasing. Paraphrasing, which basically means rewording and interpreting in a new way, helps us understand and appreciate poetry better .

Why is Poetry Sometimes Hard to Get?

If you ever wondered why is it difficult to read poetry, then we have the answer for you and it is quite simple – its use of language. Unlike prose, poetry often uses old-fashioned terms, abstract metaphors, and rich symbolism . Every word in a poem is carefully chosen and can carry multiple meanings. Moreover, poets frequently ‘bend’ the rules of grammar for artistic effect, which makes the message even harder to get. Well, it is also the cultural and historical contexts in which poems were written, because they can create a barrier for modern readers. Not many people now will understand the everyday challenges of the person from a couple hundred years ago, so it’s understandable why certain poetry is hard to relate to and therefore feel.

How Paraphrasing Poems Helps Readers Understand Better

Paraphrasing turns the complex and thought to grasp language of poetry into a simpler, more digestible form for readers. This process involves carefully rewriting the content of a poem in a way that keeps its original intent and essence, but choosing a more clear form for it. This way, paraphrasing simplifies the poem’s structure, and makes its central themes and emotions more accessible. This approach is like translating poetic language into everyday speech, so that the gap between the poet’s intricate expressions and the reader’s understanding is if not zero, but minimal at least.

Preserving the Essence Through Archaic Terms

One significant aspect of poem paraphrase is its ability to maintain archaic terms that are almost central to the poem’s meaning. While the language of poetry can sometimes be ancient or even obscure (we see you, Shakespeare), these words often carry specific connotations and historical context. Thus, they are important to the poem’s integrity. Paraphrasing helps in keeping these terms while explaining their meaning in a modern context, so that the original essence and richness of the poem are not lost in translation, but the readers get it.

Personal Interpretations and Creative Thinking

Poetry uses similes and metaphors, which can be open to multiple interpretations. Paraphrasing encourages readers to create their own meanings for these figures of speech . After reformulating these poetic devices in their own words, readers engage more deeply with the text, which in turn create a more personal connection with the poem. This active engagement not only helps with basic understanding but also makes the experience of reading poetry more intimate and rewarding. After all, you’ve spent all that time trying to get it, might as well enjoy it.

Apart from that, paraphrasing inspires readers to come up with their own allusions and paradoxes when reading poems. This creative process not only helps you to get to know the poem and the author’s feelings and emotions, but also encourages a more active form of reading. As readers rephrase the text, they might see new insights and interpretations of the words.

Simplifying Figurative Language

Figurative language is a cornerstone of poetry and is often used to deliver complex emotions and ideas. Paraphrasing plays a key role in helping readers understand the various forms of figurative language, such as hyperbole, irony, and personification , so you might use a paraphrase helper . Readers can grasp the hidden meanings and themes that the poet intended to tell by breaking down these elements into simpler, more direct language.

Another poem too complicated to even read? Rewrite it with our Free Paraphraser

Comparing an original poem and its paraphrased version.

Paraphrasing poetry is a great exercise aimed at training your brain to pick up certain clues to uncover the meaning behind the words. It makes the whole process far more enjoyable, so let’s dive into the examples.

Original Poem: “Hope is the thing with feathers” by Emily Dickinson “Hope” is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops – at all –

Paraphrased Version: Hope is like a bird with feathers that sits in our soul. It hums a wordless melody and never ceases to sing, no matter what.

In this paraphrase, Dickinson’s metaphor of hope as a bird is maintained, but the language is simplified for clarity. The essence of hope being an ever-present, uplifting presence in the soul is preserved, while the abstract notion is made more tangible.

Original Poem: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Paraphrased Version: In a forest with yellow leaves, I came upon two separate paths. Regretfully, I couldn’t take both routes. As a lone traveler, I stood for a long time and gazed down one path as far as possible until it disappeared in the shrubbery.

This paraphrase simplifies Frost’s language, making the dilemma of choosing a path in life more explicit. The essence of indecision and the metaphor for life’s choices are maintained, but the imagery and choice of words are made more accessible to contemporary readers.

What is paraphrasing in poetry?

Paraphrasing in poetry is the act of rewording a poem’s content into simpler, more accessible language while retaining its original meaning and essence. It involves interpreting the complex metaphors, imagery, and structural elements of a poem and translating them into an understandable form. This process allows the reader to comprehend the underlying themes, emotions, and messages conveyed by the poet, often using contemporary language or context to make the poem more relatable.

Why is paraphrasing important in understanding poetry?

Paraphrasing is important in understanding poetry because it helps to demystify complex language and abstract ideas. Poetry often uses dense metaphors, symbolic language, and unique structural elements that can be challenging for readers. Paraphrasing breaks down these complexities, making the poem’s themes, emotions, and intentions clearer. It serves as a bridge between the poet’s intricate expressions and the reader’s comprehension, enhancing the overall appreciation and understanding of the poetic work.

How does paraphrasing enhance poetry analysis?

Paraphrasing enhances poetry analysis by allowing a deeper examination of the poem’s themes, structure, and language. It encourages critical thinking, as readers must interpret the poet’s intent and convey it in simpler terms. This process reveals the layers of meaning in a poem and aids in understanding the nuances of poetic devices used. Paraphrasing also facilitates discussions and academic analysis, as it makes the poem more accessible to a broader audience, including those who may not be familiar with complex poetic forms.

Can you provide examples of paraphrased poetry?

Yes, an example of paraphrased poetry is Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” The original lines, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, / And sorry I could not travel both,” can be paraphrased as, “In a forest with yellow leaves, I came across two separate paths and regretted that I couldn’t take both.” This paraphrasing simplifies the language and imagery while maintaining the poem’s theme of choice and indecision. Another example is Emily Dickinson’s “Hope is the thing with feathers,” paraphrased as, “Hope is like a bird with feathers that sits in our soul and hums a melody continuously without words.”

Are there any tools or techniques for effective paraphrasing in poetry?

Effective paraphrasing in poetry can be aided by several tools and techniques. One important technique is close reading, which involves thoroughly analyzing the poem’s language, structure, and imagery. Another technique is to identify and understand the poem’s main themes and emotions before attempting to rephrase. Tools like thesauruses can help find simpler words or phrases. Additionally, online paraphrasing tools or software can provide initial rewordings, but they should be used cautiously, as they may not always capture the nuanced meanings intended in poetry. Ultimately, practice and a deep engagement with the text are key to mastering paraphrasing in poetry.

Follow us on Reddit for more insights and updates.

Comments (0)

Welcome to A*Help comments!

We’re all about debate and discussion at A*Help.

We value the diverse opinions of users, so you may find points of view that you don’t agree with. And that’s cool. However, there are certain things we’re not OK with: attempts to manipulate our data in any way, for example, or the posting of discriminative, offensive, hateful, or disparaging material.

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

More from Paraphrasing Guides

APA Paraphrasing

Why Is Paraphrasing Important?

Do Paraphrases Need Quotation Marks

Remember Me

Is English your native language ? Yes No

What is your profession ? Student Teacher Writer Other

Forgotten Password?

Username or Email

Paraphrasing

Paraphrasing is another way of presenting ideas from source material in your own words, but without the condensing that happens in a summary. Instead, paraphrases stay approximately the same length as the original source material being paraphrased.

Why paraphrase?

To demonstrate understanding.

Paraphrasing can demonstrate your understanding of a text, including its more complex details and connections between its main points, and can also help you double-check the depth of your understanding of a text.

To Provide Support

You might paraphrase a section from a source (unlike summary, it is unlikely that you will ever need to paraphrase an entire source) when an idea or point in that source is important to an assignment you are working on and you feel it needs to be included, but you can rephrase it in a way that fits your work without losing any key information.

For example, let’s look at the last paragraph of the Scientific American article (found at www.scientificamerican.com) “ Are you a Magnet for Mosquitoes? ,” about why mosquitoes are more attracted to some humans than others. The sentence, “Scientists that study human odors and genetics have previously suggested scent cues associated with genetics are likely controlled via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes” could be a good candidate for a direct quote because I wouldn’t know how to paraphrase the part about MHC genes.

The sentence that follows, though, says this:

“Those genes appear to play a role in odor production and also in mammals’ mating choices—because humans and mice alike appear to prefer mates that smell less similar to themselves, which scientists have theorized may be a natural control against inbreeding.”

Since there isn’t particularly specialized or original language in here that must be preserved, this second sentence is a good candidate for paraphrase. One way (of many possibilities!) this might look is like this:

These same genes that might be attracting mosquitoes more to some of us than to others could also be helping us choose partners that we aren’t likely to be related to.

What Makes Something a Paraphrase?

A paraphrase

• Is in your own words.
• Is not condensed.
• Avoids personal opinion.
• Is completely rephrased from the original.

Like summary, a paraphrase is someone else’s ideas rewritten in your own words. Unlike summary, though, paraphrase should not be condensed—the ideas as you write them should take up about the same amount of space as they do in the original text. A paraphrase should not include your own opinions about the topic, what the author of the text is saying about it, or how that author is presenting their point

It can be easy, when writing a paraphrase, to rely on some of the original author’s phrasing or direct synonyms for the author’s original words. Remember that a paraphrase must be entirely your own writing, not just phrases or words substituted in the same sentence structure, length, etc. used by the original text. Write paraphrases in sentence structures that are natural to you and true to your own writing voice. The only job of a paraphrase is to accurately and completely represent the relevant idea presented in the text you are paraphrasing.

How Should I Organize a Paraphrase?

It is not likely that you will encounter an assignment that solely requires you to paraphrase a text. Instead, you will use paraphrase to support your own points and ideas in work with a wide range of goals. That said, there are still some guidelines for incorporating paraphrase into your work:

• Introduce the author and original text, just as you would for a summary.
• If there is relevant context, mention that as well.
• Then, restate the part of the original text that you want to use into your own original language and sentence structures.
• Include a parenthetical citation (if appropriate) at the end of the paraphrased material. (To learn how to do this correctly, see the discussion of in-text citation in “ Crediting and Citing Your Sources ,” part of the “Using Sources Correctly” section of this text.)
• After delivering and citing the paraphrased material, reconnect that information to your own topic and point.

Check Your Understanding: Creating a Paraphrase

Here is a brief passage from Sarah Boxer’s article in The Atlantic, “ An Artist for the Instagram Age ”: “The fact that some folks have managed to make the scene while others get left out in the cold is integral to the excitement of participatory art. The thrill is akin to exotic travel, or getting to see Hamilton. Because not everyone who wants the experience actually gets the experience, these works, even if their intentions and messages are democratic, tend to become exclusive affairs.”

Which of the following is an appropriate paraphrase of this passage? Why is that one “good” and the other one less functional as a paraphrase?

• The truth that many people have been able to attend these events as others have been shut out of them is key to what makes this kind of art appealing. The excitement is similar to visiting foreign countries or attending a showing of a sold-out musical. Since some people who wish to attend can’t do so, these art forms, despite not necessarily wanting to, often end up denying access to many would-be attendees.
• Boxer notes that this kind of art only maintains its appeal as long as there are more people clamoring to view it than can possibly actually view it. This reliance on scarcity means these artists are ultimately relying on elitist principles to find their success and remain in demand.

See the Appendix, Results for the “Check Your Understanding” Activities , for answers.

The Word on College Reading and Writing Copyright © by Carol Burnell, Jaime Wood, Monique Babin, Susan Pesznecker, and Nicole Rosevear is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book

Paraphrasing - an overview

• What is Paraphrasing?

Some good reasons to Paraphrase...

• Paraphrasing versus Plagiarism
• The Do's and Don'ts of Paraphrasing
• Paraphrasing - examples
• Further Information

According to Jerman (2021), some good reasons to paraphrase include:

• To maintain the flow of the writing. Each author has a unique voice and using direct quotes can interrupt this voice. Too many quotes can make an essay sound choppy and difficult to follow. Paraphrasing can help communicate an important idea in a passage or source without interrupting the flow of the essay.   
• To eliminate less relevant information. Since paraphrasing is written using the author’s own words, he or she can be more selective in what information from a passage should be included or omitted.  
• To avoid plagiarism. Always remember to include an in-text citation and a full reference at the end of the essay for the paraphrased text.     
• << Previous: What is Paraphrasing?
• Next: Paraphrasing versus Plagiarism >>
• Last Updated: Apr 10, 2024 3:42 PM
• URL: https://lit.libguides.com/paraphrasing

The Library, Technological University of the Shannon: Midwest

• school Campus Bookshelves
• menu_book Bookshelves
• perm_media Learning Objects
• login Login
• how_to_reg Request Instructor Account
• hub Instructor Commons

Margin Size

• Download Page (PDF)
• Download Full Book (PDF)
• Periodic Table
• Physics Constants
• Scientific Calculator
• Reference & Cite
• Tools expand_more
• Readability

selected template will load here

This action is not available.

2.3: Paraphrase to demonstrate your understanding of the complex ideas in a text

• Last updated
• Save as PDF
• Page ID 15667

\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)

\( \newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\)

\( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\)

\( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\)

\( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\)

\( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\)

\( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\)

\( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorA}[1]{\vec{#1}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorAt}[1]{\vec{\text{#1}}}      % arrow\)

\( \newcommand{\vectorB}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorC}[1]{\textbf{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorD}[1]{\overrightarrow{#1}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectorDt}[1]{\overrightarrow{\text{#1}}} \)

\( \newcommand{\vectE}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash{\mathbf {#1}}}} \)

(1200 words)

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Why Paraphrase?

Paraphrasing is another way of presenting ideas from source material in your own words, but without the condensing that happens in a summary. Instead, paraphrases stay approximately the same length as the original source material being paraphrased. Choose paraphrase over summary when you need to demonstrate your understanding of complex detail in a text that will require several sentences to explain. 

What Makes Something a Paraphrase?

A paraphrase

• Is in your own words
• Is not condensed
• Avoids personal opinion
• Is completely rephrased (and somewhat restructured) from the original

Like summary, a paraphrase is someone else’s ideas rewritten in your own words. Unlike summary, though, paraphrase should not be condensed—the ideas as you write them should take up about the same amount of space as they do in the original text. A paraphrase should not include your own opinions about the topic, what the author of the text is saying about it, or how that author is presenting their point

A paraphrase should look similar, but not TOO similar

Here is a brief passage from Sarah Boxer’s article in The Atlantic, “ An Artist for the Instagram Age ”:

The fact that some folks have managed to make the scene while others get left out in the cold is integral to the excitement of participatory art. The thrill is akin to exotic travel, or getting to see Hamilton. Because not everyone who wants the experience actually gets the experience, these works, even if their intentions and messages are democratic, tend to become exclusive affairs.

Which of the following is an appropriate paraphrase of this passage? (the answer is below)

• According to Boxer, the truth that many people have been able to attend these events as others have been shut out of them is key to what makes this kind of art appealing. The excitement is similar to visiting foreign countries or attending a showing of a sold-out musical. Since some people who wish to attend can’t do so, these art forms, despite not necessarily wanting to, often end up denying access to many would-be attendees.
• Boxer notes that this kind of art only maintains its appeal as long as there are more people clamoring to view it than can possibly actually view it. This reliance on scarcity means these artists are ultimately relying on elitist principles to find their success and remain in demand.

Avoiding Plagiarism when Paraphrasing

It can be easy, when writing a paraphrase, to rely on some of the original author’s phrasing or direct synonyms for the author’s original words. Remember that a paraphrase must be entirely your own writing, not just phrases or words substituted in the same sentence structure, length, etc. used by the original text. Write paraphrases in sentence structures that are natural to you and true to your own writing voice. The only job of a paraphrase is to accurately and completely represent the relevant idea presented in the text you are paraphrasing. If you must use words or phrases from the original, you must quote them. Sometimes words or short phrases from the text are essential to the text's point and impossible to translate into your own words. 

In the above exercise, Example 1 follows too closely the structure of the original. It merely translates word for word. Thus, it would be considered a form of plagiarism, albeit an accidental form, given that you've provided proper attribution. Example 2 is better paraphrase because it conveys the same ideas in the writer's own words and form. 

Recently, websites have sprung up that offer to paraphrase for you. I am not going to link to one. Professors consider the use of these websites plagiarism. They seem designed to help students avoid plagiarism detection programs. Do not use them for academic purposes. They are good for a laugh. Here's the above passage after a website paraphrased it:

The way that a few people have figured out how to cause the scene while others to get left without a friend in the world is basic to the energy of participatory workmanship. The rush is similar to colorful travel, or getting the opportunity to see Hamilton. Since not every person who needs the experience really gets the experience, these works, regardless of whether their aims and messages are popularity based, will in general become selective undertakings

ProTip: Look, look away, look back

When paraphrasing, the look, look away, then look back technique.

Look: read the passage you want to paraphrase. Hint: read it more than once.

Look away: try to write the meaning of the passage from memory. Here's my first attempt at phraphrasing Boxer

Sarah Boxer compares the experience of "participatory art" to exotic travel and attending sold-out shows. Whatever positive message the art wants to convey, that message is lost by the elitism created by the fact that not everyone gets to experience it.

Look back: is your paraphrase accurate? is it too close in places?

When I look back, I see that I took the phrase "exotic travel." I could quote it, but it's not important, so I will change it. I also use the word "experience" in the exact same way Boxer does. This word is important to the meaning, so I will quote it the second time but delete it the first time. Overall, I think my meaning is similar, so I will fix my paraphrase in those small ways

Sarah Boxer compares "participatory art" to specialized tourism or attending sold-out shows. Whatever positive message the art wants to convey, that message is lost by the elitism created by the fact that not everyone "gets the experience". 

Wait! You can quote in a paraphrase? 

Use paraphrase instead of direct quote unless you have compelling reasons to preserve the exact language of the original text. Often, the reason to preserve the original text in a direct quote is because that text uses specialized language that you can’t easily rephrase. As much of your work as possible should be in your own voice.

For example, let’s look at the last paragraph of the Scientific American article (found at www.scientificamerican.com) “ Are you a Magnet for Mosquitoes? ,” about why mosquitoes are more attracted to some humans than others. Consider this passage: 

“Scientists that study human odors and genetics have previously suggested scent cues associated with genetics are likely controlled via the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes. Those genes appear to play a role in odor production and also in mammals’ mating choices—because humans and mice alike appear to prefer mates that smell less similar to themselves, which scientists have theorized may be a natural control against inbreeding.”

You might want to quote the phrase "scent cues" because it's a handy phrase that would take far longer to try to paraphrase. So, a good paraphrase of this passage would look like this

Scientists who study these things have found that some of our "scent cues" are genetic.  These genetic scent cues help in mate selection because many mammals --humans included -- avoid mates that have the same scent. This helps prevent choosing a mate that is too close a genetic relation.

• How can paraphrase be an effective annotation annotation technique?
• Why do you think this page spends so much time talking about plagiarism (accidental or intentional)?

[adapted from The Word on College Reading and Writing (Babin, et al) 

Module 6: Integrating Sources

Paraphrasing sources, learning objectives.

Identify when and how to paraphrase information from a source

Paraphrasing or “indirect quotation” is putting source text in your own words and altering the sentence structure to avoid using the quotation marks required in direct quotation. Paraphrasing is the preferred way of using a source when the original wording isn’t important. This way, you can incorporate the source’s ideas so they’re stylistically consistent with the rest of your document and thus better tailored to the needs of your audience (presuming the original was tailored for a different audience with different needs). Also, paraphrasing a source into your own words proves your advanced understanding of the source text.

A paraphrase must faithfully represent the source text by containing the same ideas as in the original in about the same length. As a matter of good writing, however, you should try to streamline your paraphrase so that it tallies fewer words than the source passage while still preserving the original meaning.

Paraphrase to Keep a Consistent Voice

Original : “Hand gestures, like other forms of nonverbal communication, can change the meaning of our words as well as carry meanings totally by themselves.  Unless we understand the meanings attached to certain hand gestures in the different cultures, we are likely to send and receive unintended messages when dealing with people from other cultures. When two ordinary citizens from two different cultures miscommunicate through hand gestures, the result can be embarrassment or hard feelings” (Ferraro 125).

Paraphrase : Both body language and words are used to convey meaning.  Movements such as hand gestures can alter the meaning of spoken words, or be used alone to convey meaning.  If we don’t understand the meaning a person from another culture intends to convey through their hand gestures, and if that person doesn’t understand the meaning of ours, there’s a good chance we’ll misunderstand each other and feel ill at ease or possibly offended (Ferraro 125).

Paraphrase, Don’t Patchwrite

Notice that the paraphrased example uses different sentence structure as well as original writing. In other words, take care not to just replace or change out strands of words for synonyms. Completing such a task is known as patchwriting, and patchwriting is considered poor form (and in some contexts can even be seen as plagiarism).

Original : “Hand gestures, like other forms of nonverbal communication, can change the meaning of our words as well as carry meanings totally by themselves” (Ferraro 125).

Patchwritten : Hand movements , like other nonverbal signals , have the ability to alter the definitions of our words as well as carry meanings entirely on their own (Ferraro 125).

While the bolded words were changed, there are patches of material that remain the same. Even when a writer adds a citation here (like above), the material is still considered poorly rewritten and needs  to be restructured to create a stronger paraphrase.

Paraphrase to Break Down a Concept

Paraphrasing helps readers see a new perspective on a source. When an original source is difficult to understand, it might be helpful to paraphrase it. Here, for instance, a passage from Diego Rivera’s essay “The Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art” is being paraphrased:

Original : “And now we come to the question of propaganda. (All painters have been propagandists or else they have not been painters. Giotto was a propagandist of the spirit of Christian charity, the weapon of the Franciscan monks of his time against feudal oppression. Breughel was a propagandist of the struggle of the Dutch artisan petty bourgeoisie against feudal oppression. Every artist who has been worth anything in art has been such a propagandist.) The familiar accusation that propaganda ruins art finds its source in bourgeois prejudice” (Rivera 424).

Paraphrase : In “The Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art,” Diego Rivera writes that he’s not afraid of his art becoming propaganda, because art has  always  been propaganda, insofar as it makes an argument for a particular way of thinking (424).

DON’T Paraphrase to Give Your Own Spin

Paraphrasing is not commentary. It is important to recall that when you paraphrase, you should refrain from including your personal opinions in the content. Even though you are writing in your own voice, paraphrasing is not sharing your own thoughts. Instead, your goal is to objectively share what the original author intended to say. Where appropriate, of course, the paraphrase or summary may be followed by your own reading, critique, or interpretation. Be sure to note the difference between parts of your essay where you’re paraphrasing and parts where you’re interpreting. Consider this claim:

In “The Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art,” Diego Rivera says that all the great art throughout history—basically everything that matters in Western Culture—is just worthless propaganda for Capitalism.  He wants to replace Bruegel’s The Procession to Calvary  with murals of tractors.

Although this passage contains some elements from Rivera’s essay, which does indeed mention propaganda, Capitalism, and Pieter Bruegel the Elder, it’s less a paraphrase of Rivera’s ideas than a negative caricature of them. The writer obviously disagrees with Rivera, and sets out to paint Rivera’s essay in the worst positive light. While this kind of attack is quite common in some genres (such as editorials by political pundits, who often exaggerate the claims of the opposition), it is usually not acceptable in academic writing. To disagree with an argument in in academic writing, you should paraphrase the argument accurately first, then give your critique.

DON’T Forget to Cite

Remember, you must still cite when you paraphrase. Even though you have used your own words, your development includes ideas that may not be your own. When you use someone else’s ideas, you should still include a citation to help readers see the material’s origin. Not only do citations show readers that you are borrowing someone else’s ideas, but they also help to add credibility for readers, and thereby increase your credibility as a writer.

Paraphrasing, Step-By-Step

Paraphrase easily by breaking down the task into these seven steps:

• Read and re-read the source-text passage so that you thoroughly understand each point it makes. If it’s a long passage, you might want to break it up into digestible chunks. If you’re unsure of the meaning of any of the words, look them up in a dictionary; you can even just type the word into the Google search bar, hit  Enter , and a definition will appear, along with results of other online dictionary pages that define the same word.
• Look away and get your mind off the target passage. Process some different information for a while.
• Without looking back at the source text, repeat its main points as you understood them—not from memorizing the exact words, but as you would explain the same ideas in different words out loud to a friend.
• Still without looking back at the source text, jot down that spoken wording and tailor the language so that it’s stylistically appropriate for your audience; edit and proofread your written version to make it grammatically correct in a way that perhaps your spoken-word version wasn’t.
• Now compare your written paraphrase version to the original to ensure that:
• Deleting any of the original points
• Adding any points of your own
• Distorting any of the ideas so they mean something substantially different from those in the original, or even take on a different character because you use words that, say, put a positive spin on something neutral or negative in the original
• You haven’t repeated any two identical words from the original in a row
• If any two words from the original remain, go further in changing those expressions by using a thesaurus in combination with a dictionary. When you enter a word into a thesaurus, it gives you a list of synonyms, which are different words that mean the same thing as the word you enter into it.
• For instance, the noun  party  can mean a group that is involved in something serious (e.g., a third-party software company in a data-collection process), but the verb  party  means something you do on a wild Saturday night out with friends; it can also function as an adjective related to the verb (e.g.,  party trick , meaning a trick performed at a party).
• Whenever you see synonymous words listed in a thesaurus and they look like something you want to use but you don’t know what they mean exactly, always look them up to ensure that they mean what you hope they mean; if not, move on to the next synonym until you find one that captures the meaning you intend. Doing this can save your reader the confusion and you the embarrassment of obvious thesaurus-driven diction problems (poor word choices).
• Cite your source. Just because you didn’t put quotation marks around the words doesn’t mean that you don’t have to cite your source.

Ferraro, Gary. Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective . Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2001

Rivera Diego. “The Revolutionary Spirit in Modern Art.” 1932.  Art in Theory: 1900-2000 , edited by Charles Harrison and Paul Wood, Blackwell, 2003, pp. 421-424. 

A Tutor’s Guide: Helping Writers One to One , edited by Ben Rafoth, Heinemann, 2000, pp. 24-34.

• Paraphrasing. Provided by : Lumen Learning. Project : English Composition II. License : CC BY: Attribution
• Examples of paraphrasing. Provided by : Excelsior College. Located at : https://owl.excelsior.edu/plagiarism/plagiarism-how-to-avoid-it/plagiarism-paraphrasing/ . Project : Excelsior Online Writing Lab (OWL). License : CC BY: Attribution
• Paraphrasing. Authored by : Jordan Smith. Located at : https://ecampusontario.pressbooks.pub/communicationatwork/chapter/3-4-using-source-text-quoting-paraphrasing-and-summarizing/ . Project : Communication at Work. License : CC BY: Attribution

How does paraphrasing help readers understand poetry? 

From one of Wiktionary ‘s definitions of paraphrasing, it is clear that we paraphrase for the purpose of ensuring clarity. But there seems to be more to the reason paraphrasing helps readers understand poetry than this point alone. So, how exactly does this work?

Key Takeaways Paraphrasing a poem can help remove ambiguity.  It can also help us connect with the mind of the poet.  It is a way to examine poetry differently.  It also helps readers come up with their own interpretations of a poem.

• Connecting with the poet’s mind

When we paraphrase poetry, we tend to be using the words we can best relate with in lieu of the poet’s own way of saying things. As a result, chances are that we soon get emotionally involved with the work and feel what the poet feels. How best can one get into the mind of the poet? 

While readers may not completely be in the mind of the poet, paraphrasing allows for resonating with, and it is one way literature uses in making us empathetic. 

• A way to examine poetry differently  

Would you not rather sit with others and hear different perspectives on the meaning of a poem to understand better? Well, paraphrasing can help us achieve something identical to this—except that this time it’ll be people in a person . 

So, basically by paraphrasing we not only give ourselves the surface view but also what the given work looks like in a deeper view. It guarantees us more of a discourse (with two or more points of view) within our own self . Which is a sure way to understand things better. 

• Helping readers interpret poems independently

There is this school of criticism in literature that proposes that works should be interpreted independent of the writer’s view. And you’ve got to do something similar when you paraphrase poetry. 

More on this in a bit. 

Permit me to add that this is a significant reason or way through which paraphrasing improves the readers’ understanding of poetry because you see, only the poet owns the most appropriate view of his work. (One reason we request poets to submit the analysis of their works alongside the poems when they intend to publish here at Prof AGE .)

We weren’t right there in his mind when he was bleeding with ink ! We just try to see what he sees and maybe we can see eye to eye with him, but that isn’t guaranteed anywhere. 

So, why try so frantically to be the poet exactly? It is always better to look into poetry and see how it can improve our knowledge, consequently making us better critical thinkers and quite original ones. You can see this merely as my opinion tho . 

• To remove ambiguity

Ambiguity and the literary world are quite inseparable, and paraphrasing poetry according to a source , can help us “understand the meanings behind different kinds of figurative languages.” Similarly, it gives time to break down complex vocabularies and messages. 

At this juncture, knowing that many times, poetry gets ambiguous because of their richness in language choice will make more sense. When figurative languages are richly used in poetries, we may begin to grapple with whether to allude literal or nonliteral meanings to them. 

So it follows to say that paraphrasing is also important and can help readers understand poetry if removing ambiguity is one of the problems it can knockout. 

And when we talk of figurative language, we are referring to languages that are a deliberate deviation from the orthodox use of words. They take to themselves meanings that are outside conventional usages. You may think of connotations now. 

Read Also : Why great literature embraces ambiguity

The term rhetorical or figurative language is quite broad in literature, but we have a whole lot of written materials to help you better understand it, and we suggest that you begin with our 70 figures of speech and their meanings article.  

How does paraphrasing help readers understand poetry?  

Perhaps, to underscore our point number three, this will be plausible. Some scholars have earlier pondered over the same question as ours on Weegy and on Brainly with a number of options to choose from. 

Guess what, the leading answer to the question on both platforms is that paraphrasing allows readers to understand poetry by helping them have a grasp of the meaning behind every figurative language used in a work. 

The validity of this as the overall answer to the given question is evident in the fact that in reading and understanding literature, it is paramount to know what is said (the language used) before anything else. Or no amount of frantic efforts to understand a work will come to fruition. 

Come to think of it, you managed to read through this only because you understand the language used. What happens if I use Greek or some language you can’t read? You start by learning to interpret that language!!

Related Posts

How does literature affect our society today? 

Night by Elie Wiesel book review 

There are no comments.