Paraphrase and Summary Practice A paraphrase represents a restated version of something written by the original author without using the same words. It indicates the meaning of the text, but the wording and structure are different from the original. Paraphrased material will be about the same length as the original work. Keep in mind that a paraphrase must contain a citation because the ideas originate from another source. A summary is similar to a paraphrase in that it consists of an original author’s ideas written without using the same words. A summary differs from a paraphrase in that it represents a condensed version of the main ideas. This handout can help you become more familiar with correctly paraphrasing information from a source. Use the following guidelines when paraphrasing or summarizing text: · Read the information from the source, then go to a new page on the computer or close the book as you begin recording the main ideas. Any time you look back and forth from the source to the page you are writing on, you risk inadvertently copying from the source. · Use your own words to record what you believe the author said. · Add a citation. · Check the source when you have finished writing to be sure you have written the content in your own words. Plagiarism results if any of the following elements are present in your paraphrase: · Synonyms are substituted for some of the original words, but most of the other words remain the same. · Three or four consecutive words in a phrase from the source are used without quotation marks. · The citation is missing from your paraphrase. If no citation is used, the material appears to the reader as your own idea. Try It! Paraphrase and Summary Practice Test yourself to see how well you can paraphrase and summarize information from a source. Remember to follow the guidelines to prevent plagiarism. After your practice, ask yourself the following questions, and make changes as necessary: · Did you use any of the same words that appear in the original? · Did you include a citation? 1. Original source: “Although even low levels of physical activity can provide some health benefits, evidence indicates that moderate to high levels of physical activity are required to provide major health benefits” (Powers, Dodd, & Jackson, 2014, Ch. 2). Note: when citing direct quotes, use page numbers whenever possible, but chapter and paragraph headings are also permissible if there are no page numbers, as in this ebook. Try paraphrasing: Possible paraphrase: A little exercise can be beneficial to our health, but activity that is more strenuous ensures that we remain as healthy as we can be (Powers, Dodd, & Jackson, 2014, Ch. 2). Note: when citing a paraphrase, it is best to include the page number. However, the use of chapters, headings, and paragraph numbers is permissible in the absence of a page number, as long as the citation is as specific as possible. 2. Original source: “A .

1. Paraphrase and Summary Practice
A paraphrase represents a restated version of something written
by the original author without using the same words. It indicates
the meaning of the text, but the wording and structure are
different from the original. Paraphrased material will be about
the same length as the original work. Keep in mind that a
paraphrase must contain a citation because the ideas originate
from another source.
A summary is similar to a paraphrase in that it consists of an
original author’s ideas written without using the same words. A
summary differs from a paraphrase in that it represents a
condensed version of the main ideas.
This handout can help you become more familiar with correctly
paraphrasing information from a source. Use the following
guidelines when paraphrasing or summarizing text:
·
Read the information from the source, then go to a new page on
the computer or close the book as you begin recording the main
ideas. Any time you look back and forth from the source to the
page you are writing on, you risk inadvertently copying from
the source.
·
Use your own words to record what you believe the author said.
·
Add a citation.

2. ·
Check the source when you have finished writing to be sure you
have written the content in your own words.
Plagiarism results if any of the following elements are present
in your paraphrase:
·
Synonyms are substituted for some of the original words, but
most of the other words remain the same.
·
Three or four consecutive words in a phrase from the source are
used without quotation marks.
·
The citation is missing from your paraphrase. If no citation is
used, the material appears to the reader as your own idea.
Try It! Paraphrase and Summary Practice
Test yourself to see how well you can paraphrase and
summarize information from a source. Remember to follow the
guidelines to prevent plagiarism. After your practice, ask
yourself the following questions, and make changes as
necessary:
·
Did you use any of the same words that appear in the original?

3. ·
Did you include a citation?
1.
Original source:
“Although even low levels of physical activity can provide
some health benefits, evidence indicates that moderate to high
levels of physical activity are required to provide major health
benefits” (Powers, Dodd, & Jackson, 2014, Ch. 2). Note:
when citing direct quotes, use page numbers whenever possible,
but chapter and paragraph headings are also permissible if there
are no page numbers, as in this ebook.
Try paraphrasing:
Possible paraphrase:
A little exercise can be beneficial to our health, but activity that
is more strenuous ensures that we remain as healthy as we can
be (Powers, Dodd, & Jackson, 2014, Ch. 2). Note: when citing a
paraphrase, it is best to include the page number. However, the
use of chapters, headings, and paragraph numbers is permissible
in the absence of a page number, as long as the citation is as
specific as possible.
2.
Original source:
“A special kind of persuasive request is one that casts the

4. request as a problem–solution message. With this strategy, you
first present a problem that you and the readers share—called
the common-ground persuasion technique—and then show how
doing as you propose will solve the problem for all concerned”
(Rentz & Lentz, 2014, Ch. 9).
Try paraphrasing:
Possible paraphrase:
A problem–solution message can be used when you need to
make a persuasive request. The problem presented will be one
that is common to you and the audience, but you will show how
that problem can be solved so that the outcome is beneficial for
everyone (Rentz & Lentz, 2014, Ch. 9).
3.
Original source:
“The investments announced today, through USDA's
Rural Business Enterprise Grant(RBEG) program, promote the
development of small and emerging businesses in rural areas.
RBEGs may also be used to help fund distance learning
networks and employment-related adult education programs.
Eligible applicants include local public entities, private non-
profit corporations and federally recognized Indian Tribes”
(Freeman, 2014, para.3).
Try paraphrasing:
Possible paraphrase:

5. The Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) is offered to small
and new businesses not located in cities. The grant can be
applied toward education programs related to employment and
is often used by local entities, nonprofits, and Native American
tribes (Freeman, 2014, para.3).
4.
Original source:
“While we argue the need for selecting and focusing on a single
model of critical thinking throughout a business curriculum, we
also advocate enabling students to recognize the key elements
of critical thinking across different representations. Students
ultimately need to be able to recognize and embrace critical
thinking in their workplaces, even when it appears in a different
form than the one they learned in school, as it undoubtedly
will” (Bloch & Spataro, 2014).
Try paraphrasing:
Possible paraphrase:
Bloch and Spataro (2014) argue that it is beneficial for students
to focus on one model of critical thinking in their business
curriculum, but that they must remain open to different models
once they begin to apply critical thinking in the workplace.
5.
Original source:

6. Schawbel, D. (5 June 2014). Become a LinkedIn power user.
Career Services.
Retrieved from
http://www.phoenix.edu/forward/careers/2014/06/how-to-use-
linkedin-to-find-job-opportunities.html
Try summarizing the short article above:
Possible summary:
Author Dan Schawbel (2014) offers some useful tips to make
the most of a LinkedIn account. You should have a complete
and detailed profile that adequately describes your skills,
interests, and experience. You should also become affiliated
with groups that are pertinent to your industry. When making
connections, do not be shy about adding people you know and
have worked with. A large connection base can be helpful when
researching potential employers. Reaching out to your
connections can provide you with valuable information and new
connections as you search. The process can take time, so it is
best not to give up easily. LinkedIn can be useful for your
career if you are persistent.
6.
Original work:
Smiley, T. (14 July 2014). How to turn an interview into a
conversation.
Career Services.
Retrieved from
http://www.phoenix.edu/career-services/articles/how-to-turn-an-
interview-into-a-conversation.html

7. Try summarizing the short article above:
Possible summary:
Tavis Smiley (2014) recommends a few methods for
transitioning an interview into a conversation. He advocates for
asking questions early to demonstrate that you are a good
listener who is interested. Smiley also recommends asking
open-ended questions. Rather than questions that provoke a one-
word answer, end your questions with why, or how. It also helps
to find out a little bit about your interviewer beforehand, using
Google or LinkedIn. Finally, be sure your non-verbal
communication skills are on point. If you use these techniques,
the interviewer will not be aware that you were driving the
conversation all along.