Paraphrasing using a tool

What’s in this document?

1. Steps to paraphrasing with the tool

2.Example paraphrase using the tool
3.Blank paraphrasing tool

1. Steps to paraphrasing with the tool

Step 1
Read a section of text that contains ideas relevant to your topic

Step 2
Ask:
1. What is the main idea?
2. What is being said about the main idea?
3. What are (approximately) two supporting facts or details?
4. What is the author’s purpose and position? (E.g. to explain, analyse, define? In support of something, against it, or?)
5. How is the author writing about the topic? (E.g., uses an example, compares or contrasts?)

Step 3
Use the answers to your questions to paraphrase the main idea and whatever details you need into your own words

2. Example paraphrase using the tool

Example text

Paraphrase writing involves students in rewriting text in their own words. This can result in increased comprehension,
interest, concentration, and recall. Recent research supports the view that paraphrase writing enhances reading skills and
increased content comprehension.

References

Shugarman, S. L., & Hurst, J. B. (1986). Purposeful paraphrasing: Promoting a nontrivial

pursuit for meaning. Journal of Reading, 396-399.

Note: Reference is APA format. In-text citations in the original text have been removed for readability. The quote is from
pp. 396-397 of the source.

Paraphrasing tool example

1. TOPIC

What is this text mainly about?

Hints: Look at the title or heading of the section, or the topic sentence of the paragraph.
Your answer will likely be a short, general statement.

→ Writing paraphrases

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2. MAIN IDEA

What does this text tell me about the topic stated above?

Hints: Be specific!
The first or last sentences of each paragraph may provide clues (topic and concluding sentences).
Look for repetitions of the same word or words in the whole section.

→ Paraphrasing definition: writing what has been read in the reader’s own words.
→ Benefits: improves reading, improves understanding and remembering information.

3. DETAILS/FACTS

What details or facts support the main idea stated above?

Hints: Choose details that you need for the assignment you are writing
Or that you think will be needed for discussions, assignments, or tests.

→ Reading and learning skills helped by: better understanding, better remembering, better concentration, greater
interest in what is being read.
→ Benefits of paraphrasing are supported by research.

4. AUTHOR’S PURPOSE

Hint: Why is the author writing about this topic? (to explain, analyse, critique etc.?)

→ Author’s purpose: explain paraphrasing, describe benefits, provide credibility for benefits (research)
→ Author’s position: supports paraphrasing

5. AUTHOR’S EXPRESSION

Hint: How is the author writing about this topic? (by giving an example, comparing, etc.?)

→ Defines paraphrasing, describes benefits of paraphrasing, and who benefits.

→ Gives examples: of research that supports claims of benefits

PARAPHRASE IT!

Use the answers to the sections above to write your own paraphrase of the information. It should be accurate and convey
the same main idea and meaning as the original.

Compiled answers:

→ Writing paraphrases
→ Paraphrasing definition: writing what has been read in the reader’s own words.
→ Benefits: improves reading, improves understanding and remembering information.
→ Reading and learning skills helped by: better understanding, better remembering, better concentration, greater
interest in what is being read.
→ Benefits of paraphrasing are supported by research.
→ Author’s purpose: explain paraphrasing, describe benefits, provide credibility for benefits (research)
→ Author’s position: supports paraphrasing
→ Defines paraphrasing, describes benefits of paraphrasing, and who benefits.
→ Gives examples: of research that supports claims of benefits

Paraphrased text:

Many benefits are claimed for paraphrasing, or rewriting information that has been read into one’s own words.
Shugarman and Hurst (1986) state that research supports benefits to students of improved reading skills and improved
understanding of the information that was read. Other benefits described include better memory of content, better
concentration, and increased interest in the subject matter.

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3. Blank paraphrasing tool

1. TOPIC: What is this section or paragraph mainly about?

Hints: Look at the title or heading of the section, or the topic sentence of the paragraph.
Your answer will likely be a short, general statement.

2. MAIN IDEA: What does this section tell me about the topic stated above?

Hints: Be specific!
The first or last sentences of each paragraph may provide clues (topic and concluding sentences).
Look for repetitions of the same word or words in the whole section.

3. DETAILS/FACTS: What details or facts support the main idea stated above?

Hints: Choose details that you need for the assignment you are writing
Or that you think will be needed for discussions, assignments, or tests.

4. AUTHOR’S PURPOSE

Hint: Why is the author writing about this topic? (to explain, analyse, critique etc.?)

5. AUTHOR’S EXPRESSION

Hint: How is the author writing about this topic? (by giving an example, comparing, etc.?)

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6. PARAPHRASE IT

Click the COMBINE TEXT button below to fill the box below with your responses. Use the combined text to assist you
in writing your paraphrase in the box at the bottom of the page.

COMBINE TEXT

Use the answers to the sections above to write your own paraphrase of the information. It should be accurate and convey
the same main idea and meaning as the original.

Worksheet adapted from: Berry, G. C. (2000). Say it in your own words: tips for teaching paraphrasing. Strategram 12(5).
Retrieved from https://simville.ku.edu/sites/simville.ku.edu/files/docs/Strategram/gramv12no5.pdf

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