due within 5 hours, around 2 pages

Using Paraphrases and Summaries

Using Paraphrase as Support The purpose of learning to paraphrase is to be able to use paraphrases as supporting material in your writing. As you read the following model, notice how a student in a media studies class used a paraphrase of a passage from an online news article to support her idea.  Original Passage Source: Paragraph 2 of an article written by Kivi Leroux in the online magazine E Magazine titled “Subliminal Messages: Primetime TV Programs Educate Viewers on the Environment." It appeared in the "Currents" section of the July-August 1999 edition.    For 10 years, the Environmental Media Association (EMA) has been working to weave the environment into prime-time television programming. Created by and for professionals in the entertainment industry, EMA works with the stars in front of the cameras as well as the creative staff behind them to include environmental themes in scripts, show environmental products on sets, and make environmentally sound decisions in the studios.    Paraphrase:  According to an article in E Magazine, environmental messages have been deliberately put into prime-time television shows for the past decade. Environmental Media Association, an organization of professionals in the entertainment business, encourages television actors, writers, directors, and producers to promote environmentalism in three ways: by using environmental issues in scripts, by using environmental products as props, and by making environmentally conscious choices in studios (Leroux par. 2).   

    Writing Topic  Television programming in the United States is often criticized for promoting the wrong values. Do you agree or disagree with this criticism?  Completed Paragraph Although it is sometimes true that television programming in the United States promotes the wrong values, I do not entirely agree. Many educational television channels promote good values. For example, the Discovery Channel, the History Channel, National Geographic, and other similar channels educate the public about science, history, nature, and the environment. Also, even prime-time television programming often provides a public service by spreading public service messages. In fact, environmental messages have been deliberately put into prime-time television shows for the past decade. Environmental Media Association, an organization of professionals in the entertainment business. encourages television actors, writers, directors, and producers to promote environmentalism in three ways: by using environmental issues in scripts, by using environmental products as props, and by making environmentally conscious choices in studios (Leroux par. 2).Seeing the star of a prime-time television show recycling plastic bottles or using an environmentally friendly product is more persuasive than almost any other type of public service message. In short, television programs promote positive values in both direct and indirect ways.

*Student Practice: Now you chose an article and include it in a completed paragraph as above. Follow these steps: Step1. Original Passage Choose text 6-8 lines long from a reputable on-line newspaper written in English, such as Vancouver Sun, Globe and Mail, The Times.  

Step2. Source: Name of author, Newspaper name, title of the Article and the date it was written.   Cut and paste the original article here:

  Step 3 Paraphrase: Same length as original in your own words.    

  Summary: Shorter in you own words

    Step 4 Writing Topic: What the article is about and do you agree or disagree with the content: Write the question.     Step 5 Completed Paragraph with paraphrase or summary underlined: Approx 200 words