Summarizing and Paraphrasing

ParaphrasingParaphrasing puts the information in your

own words.

It is about the same length as the original reading selection.

The meaning stays the same, but some words or the sentence structure may change.

How to Paraphrase 1. Read the material, including the title.2. Replace words with synonyms.3. Rearrange the words in the sentence.4. Read your paraphrase to be sure that it has

the same meaning as the original text.

Why is paraphrasing important?Good paraphrasing skills are necessary to

create good summaries, prepare for tests, answer essay test questions, and avoid plagiarism when researching reports.

Paraphrasing can make long, difficult reading easier.

Why?

Paraphrase ExampleMy dog ate his food quickly.My dog speedily gulped his food.

Do these sentences have the same meaning?Yes.

Do these sentences use the same words?No.

Some words were changed, but the meaning remains the same.

Paraphrase ExampleGroundhogs belong to the squirrel family.

They are also called woodchucks. Groundhogs are also known as woodchucks,

and they fit into the squirrel family.

Do these sentences have the same meaning?Yes.

Do these sentences use the same words?No.

Some words were changed, but the meaning remains the same.

Your Turn!A groundhog has grayish brown fur. It has a

bushy tail. Its claws are sharp to make digging easier.

Your Turn!To warn others of danger, a groundhog makes

a loud, whistling sound.

Summarizing A summary is always shorter than the

original material, and it is mostly on main ideas rather than details.

How to Summarize1. Read the material, including the title2. Begin your summary with main idea.

This sentence is your topic sentence. 3. Include only really important details.

Summary Formulas We use different formulas for fiction and

nonfiction

Summarizing Nonfiction1. Trim the box down

to size2. Glue it to page 98.

Raise your hand for me if your page 98 is on the right-hand side.

3. On the top of the page, write “Summarizing.”

4. On the top of page 99, write “Hands.”

Summarizing Nonfiction1. Underline that this style is used for

nonfiction.2. Above the hand, write “You need to

have…”

Summarizing Nonfiction1. Write “who?”

“what?” “where?” “when?” and “why?” in the fingers.

2. Write “Main Idea” in the palm.

3. Write “Supporting Details” above “Main Idea.”

Who, What, When, Where, Why?A summary of “Nightlights That Fly!”

Fireflies live only in certain parts of the country during the summer months. These insects are special because they glow. They glow to attract a mate, to talk to each other, and to keep predators away.

Why?

Where?When?What?

Who?

Main Idea

Page 99Trim out the box.

Glue to page 99.

Write “Don’t forget…” by the hand.

Don’t Forget…ParaphraseShorter than original text (1-2 sentences)

Maintain meaning and order of original text

Don’t Forget…NO personal opinions

Include as many “W”s as possible

Let’s Practice…Eighth grade students at a school in Lawndale saw new buildings. Families were moving into the

community. But they saw vacant lots, too. They saw trash there. Even when they picked up the trash, the lots did not stay clean. Wind blew trash there from the street. “No one can do anything about this,” said one student. “Yes, we can,” said another. Their teacher agreed. They would plant a garden in a vacant lot.

Their teacher showed them pictures of the community long ago. She showed them that it used to have great gardens. The students said they could make this change. It was after Barack Obama had been elected. His slogan had been “Yes, we can.” They believed it. They would prove it.

The students met with the principal. They asked if they could create a community garden in the vacant lot closest to the school. She told them that was a great idea, but they would have to volunteer their own time and work on it every week. The students agreed. They promised they would donate their time every Saturday until it snowed. Even then they would keep the sidewalk cleared near the lot.

The students needed to collaborate with the community. They wanted to be sure that everyone in the community wanted the garden. They met with block clubs and told them their plan. The block clubs applauded the project. They said they would help.

The students went on the Internet to learn about plants. They looked for plants that would grow well in Chicago. They chose some evergreen plants. They chose some bulbs, too. They learned a lot about plants and gardening.

The students needed money to get the bulbs and plants. They needed tools, too. They made a budget. They sent that budget and their plan to get funding. A Foundation funded their plan. The students got $300 to buy what they needed.

They are 8th graders, so this spring they will meet with the seventh grade. They will ask them to take over the garden. It will be their legacy to the school community.

Summarizing Fiction1. Trim the box down to

size.2. Glue it to page 100.

Raise your hand for me if your page 100 is on the right-hand side.

3. On the top of the page, write “Summarizing Fiction.”

4. On the bottom, write “My Summary” and leave space beneath to write.

Summarizing Fiction1. Trim the box down to

size.2. Glue it to the left side

of page 101. 3. On the top of the page,

write “The Rainbow Fish.”

4. You have 5 minutes to add color before we move on. If you are not finished when the timer is up, you will need to finish later on your own time.

Somebody…Wanted…But…SoA summary of Finding Nemo:

In Finding Nemo, Marlin wanted to keep his son safe, but Nemo wanted his independence. Then Nemo was caught by a scuba diver, so Marlin decided to leave the reef and rescue his son.

Summarizing is important!We appreciate the friend who gives us a good

summary of the movie we are thinking of seeing, but we might not ask his opinion again if all he gives us is a lot of details that are out of sequence!

Home Alone Trailer

Summary ExampleEight year-old Kevin McAllister is

accidentally left behind when his family takes off for a vacation in France over the holiday season. Kevin learns to fend for himself and eventually has to protect his house against bumbling burglars Harry and Marv, who are planning to rob every house in Kevin's suburban Chicago neighborhood.

Why is summarizing important?Just about anything in school can be

summarized: a class lecture, an essay, a news article, a movie, a historic event, a scientific process, a short story, or even a varsity basketball game.

Being able to get to the point is important in life:Business people want to know the bottom line.Doctors must summarize a condition or illness.Lawyers can win cases with good summaries.Newscasters summarize the day’s events.

The Rainbow Fish While watching the story, think about how

you might summarize it for a little kid. Take notes on page 101 next to the parts of a

sundae.http://www.storylineonline.net/

The Rainbow Fish Activity What is the best summary of the story?

A. The Rainbow Fish swims around the ocean until he makes friends.

B. You should always share because it brings happiness.

C. The Rainbow Fish shares his special scales, which brings him friends and happiness.

D. The Rainbow Fish does the right thing, which makes everyone happy.

The Rainbow Fish Activity What is the best paraphrase of the following

sentence?

His scales were every shade of blue and green and purple, with sparkling silver scales among them.

A. His scales were beautiful colors.B. His dazzling scales were blue, green, purple, and

silver. C. Everyone admired his scales because they sparkled.D. He had some sparkling silver scales.

What makes them different? Summarizing Paraphrasing