Cameron Capachietti
2/7/20
English 110
All though some may say paraphrasing and summarizing are basically the same thing , they actually have distinctive differences when you write. Paraphrasing involves taking something from other people’s writing and turning it into your own words but still referencing the author. It also should be shorter than the segment you are taking from the author. On the other hand, Summarizing is taking main points and ideas from the author and putting them into your own words, this is usually longer than paraphrasing. So in other words, Paraphrasing is different because it consists mainly of your words but the idea from the author rather than ideas and topic in a longer version which is summarizing. A good summary should consist of the main points of each paragraph within the essay as well as the main evidence given from the author. Another important key component to a good summary is that you should end with a message to the reader.
Paraphrasing is an important part of writing it allows multiple different things to happen within your writing , especially flow. Paraphrasing is important in academic writing because it shows the reader that you understand the source well enough to write it in your own words. Paraphrasing is better than quoting in your academic writing because it shows that you have fully grasped the concept of the writing and allows your work to become more original. In my opinion, paraphrasing looks more clean and professional in your academic writing rather than putting direct quotes in your essays because it shows that you put effort into your writing rather than just slapping other people’s words there.
After watching the TedTalk and listening to Adichie speak, the main take away from what she said to me was that stories are important and that they serve an important purpose, not only in your writing but life as well. She believes that stories can empower and humanize when written or spoken of correctly. Another important message taken away from what Adichie had said is that power is an important key that comes along with stories you either have it or you don’t. Stories can show self respect but it can also take away it at the same time either your writing or telling the story (“Stories can break the dignity of a people, but stories can also repair that broken dignity (Adichie). ) Stories are an important part of life and it shows for all your life experiences and could even shape who you become in the future. (“All of these stories make me who I am” (Adichie). )
