Notetaking Writing

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Note-taking Writing
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Writing a Paraphrase

• A paraphrase is a type of summary that is written
  in your own words.
• It is particularly good for clarifying the
  meaning of a difficult or symbolic piece of
  writing (some poems, proverbs, documents).
• Considering that it often includes your
  interpretation, it is sometimes longer than the
  original.

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Paraphrase Guidelines

• 1. Skim the passage or selection quickly.

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Writing Guidelines

• 2. Then read the passage carefully, noting key
  words and ideas.

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Writing Guidelines

• 3. Look up any unfamiliar words.

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Writing Guidelines

• 4. Summarize each idea of the passage in a clear
  statement.

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Writing Guidelines

• 5. Expand or reword the text to make it clearer,
  maintaining the meaning and tone of the original.

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Example Original Text

• Each man has his own vocation. The talent is the
  call. There is one direction in which all space
  is open to him. He has faculties silently
  inviting him thither to endless exertion. He is
  like a ship in a river he runs against
  obstructions on every side but one on that side
  all obstruction is taken away, and he sweeps
  serenely over a deepening channel into an
  infinite sea.
• Ralph Waldo Emerson, Spiritual Laws

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Sample Paraphrase

• Everyone has a calling in life. All people have
  abilities, talents, and energies silently
  inviting them to their lifes work. Those who
  respond to their calling are like ships in a
  river flowing toward the sea. There are banks on
  both sides and there is only one direction in
  which to move with ease. Those who try to avoid
  that one direction will run into obstacles
  wherever they turn. And, like ships moving
  surely to the sea, those who follow their true
  calling will move with great peace of mind toward
  the open sea of unlimited possibilities.

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Observations?

• 1. The paraphrase translates some of the
  out-of-date language (faculties, thither) into
  words that make sense to modern readers.
• 2. The paraphrase replaces the male pronouns in
  the original with gender-free words, without
  changing Emersons meaning.

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Writing a Summary

• Writing an effective summary is an excellent way
  to understand and remember what you have read.

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Guidelines

• 1. Skim the selection first to get the overall
  meaning.

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• 2. Read the selection carefully, paying
  particular attention to key words and phrases.
• Check the meaning of any words you are unsure of.

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• 3. List the main ideas on your own paper
  without looking at the selection!

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• 4. Review the selection a final time so that you
  have the overall meaning clearly in mind as you
  begin to write.

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• 5. Write a summary of the major ideas, using
  your own words except for those few words in
  the original text that cannot be changed.
• Your opening (topic) sentence should be a clear
  statement of the main idea of the original
  selection.
• Stick to the essential information names, dates,
  times, places, and similar essential information.
• Not needed examples, descriptive details, and
  adjectives.
• Try to state each important idea in one clear
  sentence.
• Use a concluding sentence that ties all of your
  thoughts together and brings the summary to an
  effective end.

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• 6. Check your summary for accuracy and
  conciseness.
• Ask yourself the following questions
• Have I included all the main ideas?
• Have I cut or combined most of the descriptive
  details? (Your summary should be about one-half
  the length of the original)
• Will another person understand the main points
  simply by reading my summary?

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Tips!

• 1. Keep the same voice and perspective as the
  original.
• 2. Use paraphrases instead of direct quotations.
• 3. Be Brief !!!!!!!!!!!!!!