Paraphrasing and Summarizing



Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Both paraphrasing and summarizing are forms of rewriting an original text in your own words. Though they have some similarities, they have different forms and serve different purposes. This handout will define and explain paraphrasing and summarizing.

What is a paraphrase?

A paraphrase is a restatement in your own words of a passage written by another author. In a paraphrase, the author’s meaning and tone should be maintained.

Why do writers paraphrase?

When writers paraphrase, they help the reader understand difficult material that was originally written by another author. Also, paraphrasing helps writers avoid plagiarizing.

How long is a paraphrased text?

A paraphrased text is about the same length as the original text. In it the author strives to convey the content and meaning of the original source; not just abbreviate it.

How do I paraphrase a source?

1 – Read the original two or three times or until you are sure you understand it.

2 – Determine the writer’s meaning.

3 – Look closely at unfamiliar words, observing carefully the exact sense in which the

writer uses the words.

4 – Do not find an equivalent or synonym for every word, but include every essential

idea contained in the original.

Guidelines for writing paraphrases

taken from Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers (Troyka 1995)

1 – Say what the source says, but no more.

2 – Reproduce the source’s order of ideas and emphasis.

3 – Use your own words and paraphrasing to restate the message.

4 – Read over your sentences to make sure they make sense.

5 – Do not distort the sources meaning.

6 – Expect your material to be as long as (and possibly longer than) the original.

7 – Do not plagiarize.

8 – Write down all documentation facts so that you can document your source

when you use it in your writing.

Summarizing

What is a summary?

A summary is a condensation of an original writing. A summary relays the main points of a passage and reports what the author is really saying. A summary is not an explanation of, or a substitute for, the original. It adds no interpretation of evaluation and retains the approach and tone of the original author. It omits minor details, illustrations, quotations, anecdotes, and other inessential material. Unlike paraphrase, a summary may include some of the same wording as the original, especially in terms and definitions.

Why do writers summarize?

Writers summarize to give the reader an overview of what the original author said. A summary provides the reader with the main points of the original text. Writing summaries also helps authors avoid plagiarism.

How long is a summarized text?

A summarized text is significantly shorter than the original text. A general guide for summarizing is to have one or two sentences per paragraph of original text.

How do I summarize?

1 – Read the original two or three times or until you are sure you understand it.

2 – Determine the writer’s main ideas and organizational structure.

3 – Write a statement in your own words that digests the material.

4 – Rewrite in your own words the authors’ thesis statement and topic sentences.

5 – Read your summary and make sure you did not omit crucial points or ideas.

Guidelines for writing summaries

taken from Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers (Troyka 1995)

1 – Identify main points.

2 – Condense the main points without losing the essence of the material.

3 – Use your own words to condense the message. If certain synonyms are

awkward, quote the words.

4 – Keep your summary short.

5 – Do not plagiarize.

6 – Write down all documentation facts so that you can document your source when you use it in your writing.

References

Troyka, L.Q. (1995) Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers. (4th ed.) Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

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