Paraphrasing and Summarizing

Paraphrasing is defined as...

• rewriting a text in your own words.

• shortening a text with important information only.

• sharing your opinion about a text.

Summarizing is defined as...

• rewriting a text in your own words.

• shortening a text with important information only.

• sharing your opinion about a text.

Learning to summarize and paraphrase can help you...

• understand information.

• expand your depth of writing.

• steer away from plagiarism.

• all of the above.

The GIST method of summarizing is best for:

• expository texts

• biographical texts.

• narrative texts.

The PETALS-Plot Planning method is best for summarizing:

• expository texts

• biographical texts

• narrative texts

The IPOP method is best for summarizing:

• expository texts

• biographical texts

• narrative texts

Read the following passage:

There was a time in history when humans did not have the means to create fire. In the early history of the world, nature had to kindle all the fires, for humans were unable to produce a spark. The first method of getting fire was to light sticks of wood at a flame started by nature– by a volcano, perhaps, or by a stroke of lightning. These firebrands were carried home and used to kindle fires there. The fire had to be carefully guarded and kept burning as long as possible. Unfortunately, no matter how closely the flame was watched, it would sometimes go out. A sudden gust of wind or rain-shower would extinguish it. If the flame stopped burning, a new flame would have to be secured, which often meant a long journey and a great deal of trouble.

Which is the best summary for the passage above?

• The only way that man could have fire is by getting it from a natural occurrence, like lightning or a volcano. The fire had to be watched, because if it went out, it wasn’t easy to light a new one.

• A long time ago, man had to get fire from a natural occurrence, such as lightning or a volcano. The fire had to be brought home and used to light smaller fires there.

• Long ago, nature had to create all of the fires, because man could not. A fire had to be brought home from far away and had to be kept burning, because it was difficult to get a new one.

Read the following passage:

There was once a boy who kept sheep not far from the village. He would often become bored and to amuse himself he would call out, "Wolf! Wolf," although there was no wolf about.

The villagers would stop what they were doing and run to save the sheep from the wolf's jaw. Once they arrived at the pasture, the boy just laughed. The naughty boy played this joke over and over until the villagers tired of him.

One day while the boy was watching the sheep, a wolf did come into the fold. The boy cried and cried, "Wolf! Wolf!"

No one came. The wolf had a feast of sheep that day.

Which is the best summary for the passage above?

• The boy watching the sheep was bored. When the wolf came, he couldn’t save the sheep from the wolf.

• The boy watching over the sheep often lied about seeing a wolf. When there really was a wolf, the villagers didn’t believe him, so many sheep were killed.

• The villagers didn’t believe the boy, so the wolf ended up eating the sheep.