3 Summarizing and Paraphrasing

An essential skill in researching and writing is learning how to summarize and paraphrase.

Summarizing and Paraphrasing

Typically, two approaches emerge.

1. Students maintain the structure of the student rights and summarize the bullet points into sentences and paragraphs. These students rely heavily on the structure provided.
2. The second group of students summarize according to rights and where the rights fall short, producing only two paragraphs but involving more critical thinking and creating a new structure.

Both approaches are valuable and valid but for different reasons. Summarizing is a key skill, but choices must be made about what to focus on and what to leave out. This approach is best when an accurate representation of content is needed. However, reflection on content and the ability to reorder the content also provides insight.

A summary utilizes the same language, however, often eliminates redundant language or unnecessary disclaimers or introductions. Conversely, paraphrasing changes language. Sometimes paraphrasing is essential to decode jargon or incorporate parsimony. Both summarizing and paraphrasing practices nurture brevity but also broaden vocabulary. Can you write it briefly? Can you write it using different terms?

Denotative and Connotative Meaning

After you’ve written your summary and used some paraphrasing, look up some of the terms used in a standard dictionary. There are differences in meaning, not only between dictionaries but also, there’s a difference between denotative (dictionary) meaning and connotative (culturally acquired) meaning. Summarizing and paraphrasing should never alter the meaning. Understanding that people may look up terms in a dictionary provides an additional lens on clarity, diversity, and inclusion. Incorporating cultural meaning or connotative meanings can lead to misunderstanding.

A classic example I use in class is the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. It is frequently summarized and paraphrased and, in most cases, this alters the meaning of that amendment.

“A well regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  – US Constitution

Note that the amendment states that a “well regulated militia” is necessary and therefore justifies the right to bear arms. This has been summarized and paraphrased to mean that nearly anyone has the right to bear arms. Even background checks for criminality is considered an invasion of privacy. This connotative meaning differs greatly from the denotative meaning.