Paraphrasing vs. Summarising

By WR!TERS@WORK

Paraphrasing vs. Summarising: Understanding the Key Differences

You can’t copy someone else’s writing, but you should use their main points to support your own ideas. Instead of using direct quotes, it’s better to paraphrase and summarise the information in your own words to avoid plagiarism.

WRITERS AT WORK is an education centre offering some of the best English enrichment courses for primary and secondary school students in Singapore. Students learn to improve their creative writing skills reframing the information through their unique perspective, weaving together various insights to create a cohesive narrative. Our teachers help them practise not only how to enrich the depth of their compositions, but also demonstrate critical thinking skills by synthesising diverse sources.

Paraphrasing involves expressing someone else’s ideas in your own words, allowing you to incorporate their points or data into your arguments while avoiding plagiarism. It is a crucial aspect of academic writing, particularly in research papers. The key to effective paraphrasing is maintaining the original meaning without directly copying the words.

This technique enables you to integrate information from external sources seamlessly into your writing. Unlike quoting, which replicates the exact wording and requires quotation marks, paraphrasing offers a more fluid approach by rephrasing sentences or paragraphs using synonyms, altering word classes, restructuring sentences, and adding or omitting points as needed.

This method helps maintain readability by interspersing quotations appropriately.

What is Summarising?

Summarising involves condensing the main ideas of a lengthy text into a concise overview. It focuses on capturing the key concepts, themes, and conclusions while omitting specific details.

The purpose of summarising is to provide a quick understanding of the main points without delving into the entire content. This skill is valuable not only in academic settings but also in business contexts, such as reporting project progress or outlining qualifications in a cover letter.

To create an effective summary, identify the central points and avoid getting bogged down in minor details or data. Keep the summary brief and to the point by highlighting overarching ideas and outcomes.

What Sets Paraphrasing Apart From Summarising?

Paraphrasing is employed to capture specific details and individual points, while summarising is geared towards encapsulating general concepts and overarching perspectives.

While you may paraphrase a sentence or paragraph, summarization typically involves condensing an entire paper, chapter, or book. The key difference lies in the scope – are you reiterating a singular point or a more intricate idea?

When Should One Opt for Summarization Over Paraphrasing?

If the content being rephrased is brief and centres on a single key detail, paraphrasing can effectively convey its essence. On the other hand, if the content is lengthier, encompassing multiple points and intricacies, summarization allows for distilling only the essential elements while skimming over extraneous information

Sample Question:

“Did you go to the choir rehearsal yesterday?” Andy asked me.

Andy asked me if I had gone to choir practise the day before.

2023 P6 English Prelim Catholic High

Furthermore, proper citation of the original source is crucial when integrating external content to credit the creators and uphold ethical standards in academia.

Sample Question:

The company is launching a new product this year.

A new product will be launched by the company over this year.

2023 P6 English Prelim Catholic High

Utilising other authors’ works as supporting evidence helps establish credibility and depth in research papers or scholarly articles. By carefully dissecting and presenting their key points in a coherent manner, you can provide context for your own analysis while avoiding plagiarism pitfalls.

Through thoughtful interpretation and integration of existing literature, you contribute to the broader discourse on a subject without merely regurgitating existing knowledge. This approach not only strengthens your argumentation but also adds layers of nuance by engaging with multiple perspectives on a given topic.

Sample Question:

Lisa was shocked by how deep the pool was.

The sensation of the depth of the pool felt shocking to Lisa.

2023 P6 English Prelim Catholic High

Paraphrasing focuses on specific details and individual points, while summarising captures broader concepts and overarching themes. To put it simply, you might paraphrase a sentence or paragraph but summarise an entire document, section, or publication. The key disparity lies in the scope – are you rephrasing a single point or encapsulating a complex notion?

Typically, paraphrased content is similar in length to the original text, whereas summaries are more concise and condensed. While both techniques can be expressed concisely in a single sentence or phrase, only summarising can distil extensive material into just a few words.

WRITERS AT WORK seeks to make students better learners through organisation skills, reflection, and understanding of how we process information. Are the PSLE or O Level English exams on the horizon? Let us take care of your child’s English results! Join us at our tuition centres to be a part of the best English enrichment courses for primary and secondary school students in Singapore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. Is Creative Writing Good for Kids?

Creative writing is good for children as it teaches them how to use their imagination. Children have a vivid imagination and will enjoy coming up with different storylines and characters. Through the use of creative writing, children can express themselves using the English language, which is also good for their emotional development and maturity.

2. What are Good creative Writing topics?

A good start is to write about what you know. Students can start by writing about things that are familiar to them, such as school or family. Then, students can move on to more complex topics, requiring them to use their imagination about events which would be unlikely to happen in real life, such as a fairytale or an adventure story. Older students can write descriptive essays about being in a situation or about more abstract concepts, such as regret.

3. How to Begin a Story?

A good story should have just the right amount of exposition to illuminate the setting and the characters for the reader without giving away the entire plot. The story should begin where it is relevant, and the general gist of the situation should be outlined. The writer should know how to move the plot along from where they start easily, and the story should flow logically.

4. What are the Basic Steps in Creative Writing?

A good first step would be to plan out the story – it is important that the story follows a Plot Curve which has a logical sequence of events and a clear conclusion. The main and supporting characters should be clear – there should not be a whole village of characters – just enough to further the plot. Moreover, the central conflict of the story should be clear.