{"id":401,"date":"2016-05-20T21:25:24","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T21:25:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-level2-english\/?post_type=chapter&p=401"},"modified":"2016-10-14T22:27:58","modified_gmt":"2016-10-14T22:27:58","slug":"text-paraphrasing-a-thesis-statement","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-introtocollegecomp\/chapter\/text-paraphrasing-a-thesis-statement\/","title":{"raw":"Paraphrasing a Thesis Statement","rendered":"Paraphrasing a Thesis Statement"},"content":{"raw":"

Introduction<\/h2>\r\nWe've discussed the fact that every piece of writing has a thesis statement<\/strong>, a sentence that captures the main idea of the text. Some are explicit<\/strong>--stated directly in the text itself. \u00a0Others are implicit<\/strong>--implied by the content but not written in one distinct sentence.\r\n\r\nA key part of understanding a thesis statement of a text is being able to express it in your own words. \u00a0This paraphrase of a thesis is a key component in summarizing a reading accurately.\r\n\r\nThe following \"How to Identify a Thesis Statement\" video offers advice for locating a text's thesis statement. \u00a0It asks you to write one or two\u00a0sentences that summarize the text. \u00a0When you write that summary, without looking at the text itself, you've actually paraphrased the thesis statement.\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/di1cQgc1akg\r\n

Tips for effective paraphrasing<\/h2>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • The statement must be in your own words.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • If you use any phrases that are in the original quote, place them in quotation marks.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Add a citation\u2014even if a paraphrase is in your own words, it is still someone else\u2019s idea.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • If you\u2019re having difficulty paraphrasing, make a short list of the quote\u2019s main idea(s) and words that relate to it. Incorporate these concepts and words in your paraphrase.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    An Example of an Effective Paraphrase<\/h3>\r\n

    Compare this direct quote, which comes from an article in The New York Times<\/em><\/span><\/span> discussing the relocation and redevelopment of a train station in New York City, with an effective paraphrase in the right column:<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Original Quote<\/td>\r\nEffective Paraphrase<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n
    \"New tracks aside, the challenge is at the bare minimum to bring light and air into this underground purgatory and, beyond that, to create for millions of people a new space worthy of New York, a civic hub in the spirit of the great demolished one, more attuned to the city's aspirations and democratic ideals.\" - Michael Kimmelman, The New York Times<\/em><\/td>\r\nOne of the biggest issues facing Penn Station's revitalization is developing a brighter, airier space. It is an abysmal \"underground purgatory,\" and with so many New Yorkers and tourists traveling in and out of its doors every day, should be reconstructed to better reflect the endeavors and passions of the city (Kimmelman).<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n

    Take note of these good practices!<\/span><\/p>\r\n\r\n

      \r\n \t
    • The paraphrase reflects the same ideas as the original quote, but is in its own words and writing style.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
    • The term \u201cunderground purgatory\u201d is placed in quotes, as it is a unique phrase used in the original quote.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
    • There is a parenthetical citation, citing the source of the idea.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","rendered":"

      Introduction<\/h2>\n

      We’ve discussed the fact that every piece of writing has a thesis statement<\/strong>, a sentence that captures the main idea of the text. Some are explicit<\/strong>–stated directly in the text itself. \u00a0Others are implicit<\/strong>–implied by the content but not written in one distinct sentence.<\/p>\n

      A key part of understanding a thesis statement of a text is being able to express it in your own words. \u00a0This paraphrase of a thesis is a key component in summarizing a reading accurately.<\/p>\n

      The following “How to Identify a Thesis Statement” video offers advice for locating a text’s thesis statement. \u00a0It asks you to write one or two\u00a0sentences that summarize the text. \u00a0When you write that summary, without looking at the text itself, you’ve actually paraphrased the thesis statement.<\/p>\n