Putting History in Our Own Words: Paraphrasing Practice

​“Putting History in Our Own Words: Paraphrasing Practice”

By Giuseppina Spillane

Open Ended

Read each sentence below and rewrite it in your own words.

1. George Washington led the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

2. The Constitution was signed in 1787 in Philadelphia.

3. The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States.

Open Ended

Read this short passage about the causes of the American Revolution:

“The American Revolution was caused by growing tensions between Britain and its colonies. Colonists were frustrated by taxes and laws passed without their consent, leading to protests and, eventually, war.”

Now paraphrase this paragraph in your own words below.

Open Ended

Read this short passage from The Emancipation Proclamation:

“All persons held as slaves within any State, or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.”

Now paraphrase this excerpt in your own words below.

Open Ended

Read this short passage from 14th Amendment:

““All persons born in the United States are citizens, and they have the same rights as every other citizen, regardless of race or previous condition of slavery.””

Now paraphrase this excerpt in your own words below.

Open Ended

Read this short passage from 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution.

““The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Now paraphrase this excerpt in your own words below.

Multiple Choice

🧠 The Civil War

Paraphrase or Plagiarize?

Original: “The Civil War began in 1861 after decades of tension between the North and South.”

Which of these is a good paraphrase?

• “The Civil War began in 1861 after decades of tension between the North and South.”

• “After many years of disagreement, the Civil War started in 1861.”

• “The Civil War started in 1861.”

Multiple Choice

🧠 The American Revolution

Original: “The American Revolution was fueled by the colonists’ desire for independence and resistance to British taxation.”
Question: Which of these is a good paraphrase?

• “The colonists’ wish for freedom and opposition to British taxes sparked the American Revolution.”

• “The American Revolution was fueled by the colonists’ desire for independence and resistance to British taxation.”

• “The Revolution was about independence.”

Multiple Choice

🧠 World War II

Original: “World War II began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, leading Britain and France to declare war.”
Question: Which of these is a good paraphrase?

• “Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 caused Britain and France to enter World War II.”

• “World War II began in 1939 when Germany invaded Poland, leading Britain and France to declare war.”

• “Germany invaded Poland in 1939.”

Multiple Choice

🧠 The Great Depression

Original: “The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted throughout the 1930s.”
Question: Which of these is a good paraphrase?

• “The Great Depression was a worldwide economic crisis that continued through the 1930s.”

• “The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted throughout the 1930s.”

• “There was a depression in the 1930s.”

Multiple Choice

🧠 The Civil Rights Movement

Original: “The Civil Rights Movement sought to end racial segregation and secure equal rights for African Americans.”
Question: Which of these is a good paraphrase?

• “The Civil Rights Movement aimed to achieve equality for African Americans and stop racial segregation.”

• “The Civil Rights Movement sought to end racial segregation and secure equal rights for African Americans.”

• “It was about race and rights.”

Open Ended

What’s one tip you’d give someone learning to paraphrase?