BORROWING LANGUAGE AND IDEAS PARAPHRASING BORROWING LANGUAGE AND IDEAS

WHAT IS A PARAPHRASE? DEFINITION: Paraphrasing is when we borrow ideas, language, or phrases from another person’s text; we write these using our own language and sentence patterns.

WHAT IS A PARAPHRASE? Paraphrasing a text (such as a movie, an article, a book chapter, or a song) helps the reader grasp the important parts without having to read the source. The writer is an expert in the content of that one source, and she talks the research to her reader.

ACTIVITY ONE: When do we paraphrase? How do we paraphrase? Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper. Do not answer with “I don’t know”; instead, talk about what you think a writer does. It’s good to start with what we already know or assume: When do we paraphrase? How do we paraphrase? How do we cite our paraphrases? How is a paraphrase different from a quote?

Here Are Some Incorrect Assumptions Student Writers Have Had About Paraphrasing. --If we switch words around we are O.K.. NO --If somebody did not “say it,” then they are my words. NO --I have learned about the topic somewhere else; I don’t need to cite it. NO --This comes from my own expertise. NO --I don’t know what the article is about, but I switched the words around in this one part; they are my words. NO --I don’t think we have to cite a paraphrase. We only cite quotes. NO

Remember: Most of your research writing will include paraphrasing.

WHY DO WE PARAPHRASE? Paraphrase is used more than summary and quotes because: Paraphrase gives more detail than summary and allows more insight. Paraphrase prevents overreliance on quoting and shows an author’s careful consideration of the particular source. We should only quote in specific instances.

REVIEWING WHEN TO QUOTE As a review, writers use quotes sparingly and only with the following rules: Quoting an authority (who is absolutely necessary to include in the paper). Using necessary dialogue. Highlighting necessary bias or opposite opinions. Unusual language.

IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT PARAPHRASING: Use only important information. Paraphrasing is better than quoting too much. We must use our own voice and words.

Three paraphrasing rules: 1. We are allowed to use common terms, such as the author’s name or topic. No quotation marks are necessary when we use these. 2. If we borrow any key words, we must put them in quotations. We must box in the source by introducing source first and then citing at the end.

Paraphrasing Techniques Change from a Clause to a Phrase (or vice versa) Change from Quoted Speech to Indirect Speech (or vice versa) Change from Active Voice to Passive Voice (or vice versa) Change to Synonyms Change Word Forms

Change from a Clause to a Phrase After the President has declared the commencement of the preemptive evacuation due to the typhoon, he called the DILG to begin the coordination with the local official of Western Samar. After declaring the commencement of the preemptive evacuation due to the typhoon, he called the DILG to begin the coordination with the local official of Western Samar. The 14th Congress, which is going on a break this January, passed the RH Bill into law just in time. The 14th Congress, going on a break this January, passed the RH Bill into law just in time.

Change from Quoted Speech to Indirect Speech Miriam Defensor-Santiago said, “I lied.” Miriam Defensor-Santiago said that she had lied. “Most people suffering from Alzheimer’s have missing frontal lobe,” said Dr. Jenkins. Dr. Jenkins said that most people suffering from Alzheimer’s had missing frontal lobe.

Change from Active Voice to Passive Voice Most students find paraphrasing a little challenging. Paraphrasing is found by most students a little challenging. Batangas was declared a disaster area soon after typhoon Ruby left the area. The NDRRMC declared Batangas a disaster area soon after typhoon Ruby left the area.

…and replace words with synonyms. Typhoon Ruby hit Western Samar at 7:45am of December 8. Tropical storm Ruby began to pummel the province of Western Samar a little before 8am of December 8.

Change Word Forms Use an adverb instead of an adjective Use a verb to replace a noun. The Vice President denies vehemently allegations that point at his involvement in the acquisition of a billion-peso property in Batangas. Binay expressed his vehement denial on his being involved, allegedly, in acquiring a billion-peso property in Batangas.

…or use definitions The Philippine Stocks Exchange (Psei) showed a bullish performance yesterday. The Philippine Stocks Exchange (Psei) showed a generally positive performance yesterday.

Combine Techniques Change to a phrase & add synonyms or definitions After the DILG has led the rescue operations, the agency proceeded with a meeting with the president. After leading the rescue operations, DILG officials had a conference with the president.

Combine Techniques Change to a phrase & add synonyms or definitions Typhoon Ruby, which stayed in the country for three days, has finally left the country. Typhoon Ruby, staying in the country for three days, has existed the country. Tropical storm Ruby, bringing heavy rains, meters-high storm surges, and strong winds from Saturday to Monday, has exited the Philippines.

Interpret Meaning…….Identify the underlying meaning of a statement. The President said, “Local government units in the typhoon-hit areas were prepared reducing the number of casualties.” The President was satisfied with the level of preparation done by local official in the provinces where typhoon Ruby passed as he has seen a very low number of people who died or were injured.

Change transitions Although Poe’s survey ratings are surging, she refuses to run for president in 2016. Despite the sizable increase in her numbers in surveys, the daughter of Fernando Poe, Jr does not intend to run for the highest office in 2016 polls. Grace Poe has shown sizable increase in the number of people who will vote for her in the survey done by SWS; however, the senator expressed her lack of interest in running for the highest office in 2016.

Paraphrase the following: Today, people are worried about internet security. Advocates of internet tracking believe that it helps marketers to understand what people want. People who oppose internet tracking believe that it is an invasion of privacy. This information age will cause more and more people to become concerned with the level of personal detail that can be found from the internet.

ORIGINAL STATEMENT: When we paraphrase, we should make sure to allow our original voice to explain the text to our readers without stealing the original tone or sentence patterns. Paraphrasing is always better than quoting too much. PARAPHRASE ATTEMPT: Diana Agy, in her text “How to Paraphrase” seems to privilege paraphrasing in place of “quoting too much.” She talks about how important it is for a writer to know his or her sources and to “talk” the research to his or her readers (Agy13).

Notice it is not in quotation marks because it is a common term. ORIGINAL STATEMENT: When we paraphrase, we should make sure to allow our original voice to explain the text to our readers without stealing the original tone or sentence patterns. Paraphrasing is always better than quoting too much. PARAPHRASE ATTEMPT: Diana Agy, in her text “How to Paraphrase” seems to privilege paraphrasing in place of “quoting too much.” She talks about how important it is for a writer to know his or her sources and to “talk” the research to his or her readers (Agy13). Any common terms? Yes: Paraphrase Notice it is not in quotation marks because it is a common term. 2. Are there any unique or key words that we borrowed from original writer? Yes: “quoting too much” and “talk” Notice how we put this phrase in quotation marks because we borrow the original writer’s language. We think this is an important phrase. 3. Did the author introduce the source and cite it at the end? Yes. She introduced the source here, and she cites it at the end. This helps us know where this paraphrase begins and where it ends.

THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM The main problem is using the original source as a mirror. Mirroring occurs when the writer imitates the original sentence patterns and voice. Some writers have learned that as long as they replace the original text with their own language, then all is well. But, they are mistaken! When we paraphrase we are putting someone else’s information in our own sentence patterns. Not only must the wording be different, but the rhythm and pattern must also be our own. We think that we are paraphrasing when we are rearranging our source’s sentences while we keep their original sentence patterns, BUT WE ARE NOT. Be very careful here. This is the most common form of plagiarism.

Consider this example: Incorrect paraphrase--plagiarism Original: Ask not what your country can do for you. But ask what you can do for your country. Incorrect Paraphrase: Don’t ask what your nation can give you; instead, consider what you are willing to do for your country. Correct Paraphrase: John Kennedy’s introduction stresses the importance of citizens becoming civically engaged in their country’s affairs.

CONSIDER THE NEXT EXAMPLE. Read it carefully. Know it CONSIDER THE NEXT EXAMPLE. Read it carefully. Know it. Students who submit plagiarized writing (purposefully or unintentionally misquoting, incorrectly paraphrasing, or incorrectly citing sources) run the risk of academic dishonesty and producing poor writing. Know the research, and talk it to your reader. Understand the conventions of citing sources, and understand the difference between quoting and paraphrasing. Text by Joe Schmoe from page 23 in a book titled Sources.