EL001 Pre-Pathway Module 2010Grammar and Vocabulary DevelopmentSession 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.

CONTEMPORARY PROGRESS MODIFIED

STARTED ACCELERATED ASSEMBLY

CAR THEREBY AUTOMOBILE

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.