EL001 Pre-Pathway Module 2010 Grammar and Vocabulary Development Session 7 Paraphrasing vs Summarising

PARAPHRASING

The following materials are adapted from Stephen Bailey (2007), Academic Writing : A Handbook for International Students - Second Edition, Routledge

Ancient Egypt collapsed in about 2180 BC. Studies conducted of the mud from the River Nile showed that at this time the mountainous regions which feed the Nile suffered from a prolonged drought. This would have had a devastating effect on the ability of Egyptian society to feed itself. Can you summarise this in around 20 words? Studies show that a drought in the mountainous regions feeding the Nile led to the collapse of Ancient Egypt in about 2180 BC.

Ancient Egypt collapsed in about 2180 BC. Studies conducted of the mud from the River Nile showed that at this time the mountainous regions which feed the Nile suffered from a prolonged drought. This would have had a devastating effect on the ability of Egyptian society to feed itself. Which of these paraphrases is better? A.The sudden ending of Egyptian civilization over 4000 years ago was probably caused by changes in the weather in the region to the south. Without the regular river flooding there would not have been enough food. B. Research into deposits of the Egyptian Nile indicate that a long dry period in the mountains at the river’s source may have led to a lack of water for irrigation around 2180 BC, which was when the collapse of Egyptian society began.

Ancient Egypt collapsed in about 2180 BC. Studies conducted of the mud from the River Nile showed that at this time the mountainous regions which feed the Nile suffered from a prolonged drought. This would have had a devastating effect on the ability of Egyptian society to feed itself. Which of these paraphrases is better? A.The sudden ending of Egyptian civilization over 4000 years ago was probably caused by changes in the weather in the region to the south. Without the regular river flooding there would not have been enough food. B. Research into deposits of the Egyptian Nile indicate that a long dry period in the mountains at the river’s source may have led to a lack of water for irrigation around 2180 BC, which was when the collapse of Egyptian society began.

Can you find the underlined information from our source text in the paraphrased paragraph? Ancient Egypt collapsed in about 2180 BC. Studies conducted of the mud from the River Nile showed that at this time the mountainous regions which feed the Nile suffered from a prolonged drought. This would have had a devastating effect on the ability of Egyptian society to feed itself. Research into deposits of the Egyptian Nile indicate that a long dry period in the mountains at the river’s source may have led to a lack of water for irrigation around 2180 BC, which was when the collapse of Egyptian society began.

Can you find the underlined information from our source text in the paraphrased paragraph? Ancient Egypt collapsed in about 2180 BC. Studies conducted of the mud from the River Nile showed that at this time the mountainous regions which feed the Nile suffered from a prolonged drought. This would have had a devastating effect on the ability of Egyptian society to feed itself. Research into deposits of the Egyptian Nile indicate that a long dry period in the mountains at the river’s source may have led to a lack of water for irrigation around 2180 BC, which was when the collapse of Egyptian society began.

USING VOCABULARY TO PARAPHRASE

The growth of the car industry parallels the development of modern capitalism. It began in France and Germany, but took off in the United States. There Henry Ford adapted the moving production line from the Chicago meat industry to motor manufacturing, thus inventing mass production. The rise of the 1.____________ industry 2. ____________ the 3. ____________ of 4. ____________ capitalism. It 5. ____________ in France and Germany, but 6. ____________ in the United States. There Henry Ford 7. ____________ the moving 8. ____________ line from the Chicago meat industry to 9. ____________ manufacturing, 10. ____________ inventing mass production. CONTEMPORARYPROGRESSMODIFIED STARTEDACCELERATEDASSEMBLY CARTHEREBYAUTOMOBILE MATCHES

KEY The growth of the car industry parallels the development of modern capitalism. It began in France and Germany, but took off in the United States. There Henry Ford adapted the moving production line from the Chicago meat industry to motor manufacturing, thus inventing mass production. The rise of the AUTOMOBILE industry MATCHES the PROGRESS of CONTEMPORARY capitalism. It STARTED in France and Germany, but ACCELERATED in the United States. There Henry Ford MODIFIED the moving ASSEMBLY line from the Chicago meat industry to CAR manufacturing, THEREBY inventing mass production.

USING WORD FORM

In the 1920s Alfred Sloan’s management theories helped General Motors to become the world’s dominant car company. After the Second World War the industry developed “planned obsolescence”, whereby frequent model changes encouraged customers to buy new cars more often than they needed to. Later, from the 1970s, environmentalists began to criticize the industry for producing inefficient models which used too much fuel, contributing to global warming. In the 1920s, with 1.___________ from the 2. ___________ theories of Alfred Sloan, General Motors 3. ___________ the world’s car companies. After the Second World War, the 4. ___________ of “planned obsolescence” by the industry encouraged customers to buy new cars more often than they needed to by increasing the 5. ___________ of model changes. Later, from the 1970s, environmental 6.___________ of the industry focused on the 7. ___________ of inefficient models which used too much fuel, contributing to global warming.

In the 1920s Alfred Sloan’s management theories helped General Motors to become the world’s dominant car company. After the Second World War the industry developed “planned obsolescence”, whereby frequent model changes encouraged customers to buy new cars more often than they needed to. Later, from the 1970s, environmentalists began to criticize the industry for producing inefficient models which used too much fuel, contributing to global warming. KEY In the 1920s, with help from the managerial theories of Alfred Sloan, General Motors dominated the world’s car companies. After the Second World War, the development of “planned obsolescence” by the industry encouraged customers to buy new cars more often than they needed to by increasing the frequency of model changes. Later, from the 1970s, environmental criticism of the industry focused on the production of inefficient models which used too much fuel, contributing to global warming.

USING WORD ORDER

At this time, trade unions became increasingly militant in defence of their members’ jobs. Today the industry owns some of the strongest brands in the world. However, many major car companies struggle with stagnant markets and falling profits. At this time 1._____________ militant trade unions 2. _____________ their members’ jobs. Some of the strongest brands in the world 3._____________ are owned by the industry. Many major car companies,4. _____________, struggle with falling profits and stagnant markets.

At this time, trade unions became increasingly militant in defence of their members’ jobs. Today the industry owns some of the strongest brands in the world. However, many major car companies struggle with stagnant markets and falling profits. KEY At this time increasingly militant trade unions defended their members’ jobs. Some of the strongest brands in the world today are owned by the industry. Many major car companies, however, struggle with falling profits and stagnant markets.

Extra practice Use all of the methods we have studied to paraphrase the following text: Before the last century no humans had visited Antarctica, and even today the vast continent has a winter population of fewer than 200 people. However, a recent report from a New Zealand government agency outlines the scale of the pollution problem in the ice and snow. Although untouched compared with other regions of the world, the bitter cold of Antarctica means that the normal process of decay is prevented. As a result some research stations are surrounded by the rubbish of nearly 60 years’ operations. Despite popular belief, the polar continent is really a desert, with less precipitation than the Sahara. In the past, snowfall covered the waste left behind, like beer cans or dead ponies, but now, possibly due to global warming, the ice is thinning and these are being exposed. Over 10 years ago the countries using Antartica agreed a treaty on waste disposal, under which everything is to be taken home, and this is slowly improving the situation. However, the scientists do not want everything removed. The remains of every early expeditions at the beginning of the twentieth century have acquired historical value and will be preserved.

Despite popular belief, the polar continent is really a desert, with less precipitation than the Sahara. In the past, snowfall covered the waste left behind, like beer cans or dead ponies, but now, possibly due to global warming, the ice is thinning and these are being exposed. Over 10 years ago the countries using Antarctica agreed a treaty on waste disposal, under which everything is to be taken home, and this is slowly improving the situation. However, the scientists do not want everything removed. The remains of every early expeditions at the beginning of the twentieth century have acquired historical value and will be preserved.

DEALING WITH UNFAMILIAR VOCABULARY AND CULTURAL REFERENCES

Essex: Forget the jokes. Here are 20 reasons to celebrate Britain's most maligned region has advertised for a marketing supremo to promote its charms worldwide. Jonathan Brown examines his home county's claims to fame Wednesday, 26 January 2005

1: Colchester 2: Salt 3: Jamie Oliver 4: Shellfish 5: The A13 6: Canvey Island 7: Ford 8: Ian Dury 9: Dedham Vale 10: Dudley Moore 11: Beth Chatto 12: US presidents 13: Joseph Conrad 14: Des res 15: Southend-on-Sea 16: Dick Turpin 17: Rebellions 18: Trial marriages 19: Gustav Holst 20: Chigwell

From the list of 20 “reasons”, can you find…  7 people?  5 places?  2 things you can eat?  1 road?  1 abbreviation?  1 company?

SUMMARISING

Make notes on the key information in this paragraph about COLCHESTER: According to Pliny the Elder, this is Britain's oldest town. He records a settlement in his Historia Naturalis of 77AD as 200 miles from Camulodnum - named after the war god Camulos. Claudius made Colchester his capital in 43AD. The Trinovantes of Essex didn't like it and joined Boudicca's revolt in 60AD, razing the city. The capital of Britain then moved to London. Colchester's city wall remains, ranking it in archaeological importance alongside Europe's walled cities like Avignon and Orange. Campaigners claim it is under threat through neglect.

Pliny the Elder - Historia Naturalis of 77AD: Colchester = Britain's oldest town. Camulodnum = Colchester’s old name 43AD: Claudius made Colchester capital 60AD: Boudicca’s revolt razes city Colchester's city wall remains - archaeological importance - under threat through neglect

Pliny the Elder - Historia Naturalis of 77AD: Colchester = Britain's oldest town. Camulodnum = Colchester’s old name 43AD: Claudius made Colchester capital 60AD: Boudicca’s revolt razes city Colchester's city wall remains - archaeological importance - under threat through neglect

Can you rephrase these expressions from my notes? 1. Colchester is Britain's oldest town. 2. Camulodnum is Colchester’s old name 3. Claudius made Colchester his capital in 43AD. 4. In 60AD, Boudicca’s revolt razed the city. 5. Colchester's city wall is of archaeological importance. 6. Colchester’s city wall remains. 7. Colchester’s city wall is under threat through neglect

In his 1.___________ work Historia 2.___________, 3.___________ the Elder referred to Colchester (then named 4.___________) as the oldest town in Britain. Indeed, under 5.___________, Colchester became the country’s capital in 6.___________ but was destroyed within twenty years in an uprising led by 7.___________. The city’s 8.___________ important Roman 9.___________ have survived till the present day but have been 10.___________.

In his 77AD work Historia Naturalis, Pliny the Elder referred to Colchester (then named Camulodnum) as the oldest town in Britain. Indeed, under Claudius, Colchester became the country’s capital in 43AD but was destroyed within twenty years in an uprising led by Boudicca. The city’s archaeologically important Roman walls have survived till the present day but have been neglected.