1. Paraphrasing and Summarizing
Accuracy is the key, but must be done in your own words

2. Paraphrasing
It is a tool used in summarizing, but is not a summary writing itself. It is shorter
The aim is to re-present the information and concept in different words
Not always shorter than the original

3. Things to note Source information (page/paragraph #)
Avoid stringing together more than 3 words from the original (Plagiarism)
Avoid looking at the original when paraphrasing

4. Example
“With few exceptions, nurse theorists have not elaborated upon the concept of environment, even though it is a central element in the nursing paradigm (person, health, nursing, and environment).” (Chopprian, 1986, p. 39)

5. Sample Paraphrase
Although environment is the most important part of the nursing paradigm—which looks at the person, the health of the patient, the practice of nursing, and the environment—not many have discussed the environment in any detail. (Chopoorian, 1986)

6. Summarizing
Use paraphrasing skills, as well as mapping/outlining skills
The aim is to re-write the original in a significantly shortened form
Aim for clarity, conciseness and use of your own words

7. Tips Read the article and draft up the outline: thesis and main points
Identify the title and the writer of the article in the first sentence of the summary
Identify the topic sentences throughout the article and use only the most important points
Do not provide supporting details of the main points
Write the summary (Lovrick, 2007, p. 42)

8. Quotation If the passage has less than 40 words, use quotation marks
proper indentation, but no quotation marks, if the passage has more than 40 words
Avoid too many quotations, and avoid stringing quotations together; need to show mastery of the material through paraphrasing/summarizing

9. Use quotation only when
Really need the support from an authority
Need to back up the interpretation of a passage (paraphrasing and/or summarizing)
Need to show exactly what someone else has said (to show how different your view is)
Want to show (or can’t match) the power/elegance/beauty of the original (Reinking, 2010, p. 414)

10. References Chopoorian, T. J. (1986). Reconceptualizing the
environment. In P. Moccia (Ed.), New approaches to theory development (pp ), New York: NLN.
Loverick, P. (2007). Focus on College Reading
and Writing. Toronto: Thomson/Nelson.
Reinking, J., von der Osten, R., Cairns, S. A., &
Fleming, R. (2010). Strategies for successful
writing. 4th Can. ed. Toronto: Pearson.