210 LECTURE 4

Page 1: Introduction

• University of Ghana, College of Education

• Course: UGRC 210: Academic Writing II

• Focus: Writing Skills III - Writing a Paraphrase (Bailey, 2015, pages 56-66)

Page 2: Using Information from Other Sources

• Academic writing encourages the integration of information from various sources.

• Reading complex texts can be challenging, especially for new readers.

• Techniques such as quoting, summarizing, and paraphrasing can simplify incorporating material from sources into your writing.

Page 3: To Quote, Summarize, or Paraphrase

• Quoting involves using the exact words from a source when the original wording is important.

• Summarizing condenses the main ideas from a text into a brief version.

• Paraphrasing involves restating a source text in your own words while maintaining the original meaning.

Page 4: What is Paraphrasing?

• Paraphrasing is rewording another person’s ideas while keeping the original meaning intact.

• Paraphrases are typically of similar length to the original text but differ in phrasing and sentence structure.

• Unlike summaries, paraphrases provide a more detailed representation of the source's ideas.

Page 5: Why Paraphrase?

• Substituting your words for the author’s shows comprehension of the source material.

• Demonstrates mastery over the information you've utilized.

• Aids in explaining complex ideas to those who may not understand them easily.

Page 6: Benefits of Paraphrasing

• Enhances retention of complex or difficult material.

• Facilitates explaining challenging ideas to others.

• Considered more original than quoting in academic writing, which adds to the originality of your work.

• It serves as a learning exercise by focusing on details in the material.

Page 7: Steps to Follow When Writing a Paraphrase

• Ensure full understanding of the text.

• Note important ideas and concepts that require clarity for your audience.

• Simplify complex words or phrases explanations without jargon.

Page 8: More Steps for Paraphrasing

• Alter sentence structure and vocab to avoid closely mimicking the original text.

• Write in concise, simple sentences for better comprehension.

• Clearly identify actions and contexts to express the original meaning accurately.

• Include citations for your paraphrase to prevent plagiarism.

Page 9: Example 1 - Original Source Text

• Original: Discusses research from 1938 showing that synthetic dyes (aromatic amines) caused bladder cancer in dogs and led to high rates in dyestuff workers.

Page 10: Unacceptable Paraphrase 1

• Uses similar language from the original too closely, thus unacceptable.

Page 11: Unacceptable Paraphrase 2

• Maintains sentence structure from the original too closely, rendering it unacceptable.

Page 12: Acceptable Paraphrase 3

• Effectively summarizes original ideas while varying the language and structure, making it a legitimate paraphrase.

Page 13: Example 2 - Original Passage from Oliver Sacks

• Discusses disputed causes of autism, its global incidence, and historical misconceptions regarding its characteristics.

Page 14: Illegitimate Paraphrase of Sacks

• Replaces phrases without significant changes to sentence structure; hence, it is considered illegitimate.

Page 15: Reasons for Illegitimate Paraphrase

• Lacks proper citations throughout and relies on minimal phrase substitution.

Page 16: Legitimate Paraphrase of Sacks

• Clearly states the source and presents an analytical narrative of Sacks' argument with appropriate citations.

Page 17: Reasons for Legitimate Paraphrase

• Cites Sacks multiple times throughout, clarifying source attribution.

• Structures argument effectively, offering analysis beyond mere restatement.

• Condenses information appropriately without losing important details.

Page 18: Further Examples of Paraphrasing

• Source Text: "Memory is the capacity for storing and retrieving information."

  • Paraphrase: "Memory is the ability to keep and access information."

• Source Text: "Research and publications are accumulating in each of the fields of anthropology."

  • Paraphrase: "Studies and books are being amassed in all areas of anthropology."

Page 19: Notable Image

• Comic: Demonstrates misunderstanding of paraphrasing concepts; highlights the dangers of direct copying.

Page 20: Paraphrasing Tips

• Paraphrasing requires putting text into your own words without close copying.

• Proper citations are crucial to avoid plagiarism.

Page 21: Conclusion

• Key takeaways:

  • Paraphrasing is essential in academic writing.

  • Involves rewording source texts while maintaining their meaning.

  • Requires careful reading and citation of the original text to avoid plagiarism.

Page 22: References and Further Reading

• Various resources listed for more on paraphrasing and academic writing strategies.