In Your Own Words

1
In Your Own Words

• How do you paraphrase?

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What is paraphrasing

• Turning the original text into your own words.
• You may not add your opinion
• You may not use the original wording
• You must "translate" the original text into your
  own language

3
Characteristics of a Paraphrase

• Accurate
• May need to define words you do not understand
• Do not change the meaning of the original
• Show understanding and honesty (keep the authors
  original meaning)
• A lack of understanding may result in inaccurate
  information

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More Characteristics

• As long or longer as the original
• Keeps all of the original ideas
• Cited, because they are the author's ideas that
  come from the original work, not your own ideas.

5
When to Paraphrase

• When the original language isn't particularly
  memorable, but the ideas are
• When the original language is too difficult to
  understand

6
When to Quote

• When the wording of the original is memorable or
  vivid and you can't re-write it to sound any
  better
• When the exact words of an authority would lend
  support to your own ideas
• When you want to draw attention to the author's
  opinion, especially if that opinion differs
  greatly from other experts' opinions

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How Do You Paraphrase?

• Reread the sentence or section several times
  until you completely understand it.
• Then, "translate" it into your own words,
  retaining ALL of the original ideas.
• If paraphrasing word for word is problematic,
  rearrange sentence structure for greater clarity.
  

8
Bibliography

• ASU Writing Center http//www.asu.edu/duas/wcenter
  /paraphrasing.html

9
Assignment

• Using the worksheet provided by your teacher,
  paraphrase each line of The Star-Spangled Banner