Paraphrasing Answer Key
Example 1: An example of acceptable paraphrasing:
Original Material
New York is referred to as “the city that never sleeps.” At nights, people can be assured that
something is going on no matter what the time.
Paraphrase
In New York, there is something to do at all hours of the night.
Example 2: An example of unacceptable paraphrasing:
Original Material
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with approximately 2.5 million
residents, and the second-largest in area.
Paraphrase
Brooklyn is the most populous borough in New York City, with about 2.5 million residents, and is
the second biggest area.
This is a bad example of paraphrasing because it substitutes a few words with synonyms but the
structure and word order remains the same as the original.
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Directions: Paraphrase the following paragraphs.
1. Hemmingway’s work contains a lot of symbolism. In The Old Man and The Sea, the protagonist is
struggling to capture a large marlin. His struggle against the marlin symbolizes the protagonist’s struggle
against defeat. Hemmingway’s use of symbolism truly affects the way the reader reads and interprets
his work.
Paraphrase:
- When reading Hemmingway’s work, it is important to recognize how symbolism affects
interpretation.
- Hemmingway’s use of symbolism affects the reader’s interpretation of the work.
2. Organic foods are said to be healthier because they are grown without pesticides, radiation, or
genetic mutations that most non-organic food contains. Non-organic foods are often injected with
hormones and dyes, which jeopardize the quality of the food.
Paraphrase:
- Organic foods are healthier than most non-organic foods.
