Paraghrasing

Exercise 1

Paraphrase each sentence. There may be more than one way to rewrite each one. Remember to change vocabulary, phrases and sentence structure wherever you can.

1 Despite their massive size, elephants are known for being agile.
Those animals are larges, elephants are known for being agile.

2 Because elephants consume up to 500 pounds of food a day, they are able to strip a forest bare in no time.
Elephants are capable of destroying the forest quickly by the large amount of food eaten per day.

3 Over the centuries, lions have been used in art to represent power and magnificence.
Times through the lions have been used to represent the strength and power.

4 lions are social animals with one dominant male in each pride.
Proud beasts lions are gregarious and dominant.

5 George Washington Carver was a dedicated teacher, in addition, he was known as a talented artist, musician, and researcher who made valuable contributions to his people and his country.
Because of his qualities George Washington Carver made many contributions to his country.

6 Archibald McLeish, known for his poetry, was appointed head of the Library of Congress by President Roosevelt in 1939.
Archibald McLeish in 1939 was appointed director of the library of congress by President Roosevelt because of the success he got for his poetry.


Exercise 2

Read each paragraph and state the main idea in your own words. If you find the main idea stated directly in the paragraph, be sure to use the paraphrasing techniques that you practice in exercise one.

1 There is plenty of water on the earth. In fact, there is enough water in this planet for everyone to have a huge lake. The trouble is that the water is not always found in the place where it is needed. In addition, much of the water is polluted or salty. Because of these problems, there are many people without sufficient water.
Main idea: Problems with the water in all the world.

2 New oil supplies need to be found to replace those that have been used up. There is a constant search for new oil fields. Oil hunters sink their wells wherever there are signs of oil. Each of these drillings costs thousands and thousands of dollars, and often there  is not enough oil to make it profitable. Nevertheless, the search for new oil never ends.
Main idea: The necessity of replace old oil

3Quakers, a religious group known as the Society of Friends, have always worked for human causes. Before the Civil War in The United States, they were against slavery and led the movement to help slaves escape from the southern part of the United States and seek freedom in the northern part. Today, they fight hunger and disease around the globe and still aid people fleeing tyranny and war. Their beliefs are based on the principles of pacifism and simple living.
Main idea: The principal purpose of Quakers is to fight against slavery and hunger in the world.

Exercise 3

Fill in the outline. Next, write a 100 word summary

Thesis: Students should participate in the affairs of the university

 I Main idea: Students deserve to be participant on the decision regarding to principla election at the university

II Main idea: students would be a great help to develop flexible schedules to meet the needs of those.

III Main idea: Students must fight for their rights like in the past.