I have to paraphrase a poem.....Do I summarize the poem, or rewrite the poem...?

Question

I'm confused....My English teacher didn't explan it very well:(

The thing is....He also wants us to write the purpose of the poem, the mood of the poem, and what we liked and disliked about the poem. Would he want us to write even more about the poem?

Answer 1

A paraphrase (from the Greek paraphrasis) is a statement or remark explained in other words or another way, so as to simplify or clarify its meaning. It can be used as a replacement for a direct quotation when the original text is unavailable or under copyright restriction. A paraphrase can substitute a euphemism for a direct statement, in order to avoid offense. As with a quotation, a paraphrase is introduced by a verbum dicendi, or disclaimer. A paraphrase is sometimes marked with (ph).

Contents [hide]
1 Characteristics of a well-done paraphrase
2 Example
3 Notes
4 References
5 External links



[edit] Characteristics of a well-done paraphrase
It is not a summary.
It does not contain most of the words or phrases from the original (plagiarism).
It includes all minor details from original.
The meaning of the writing being paraphrased is clearer to the reader than in the original text.
It restates the thesis.
It is usually longer than the original.

[edit] Example
"Immanuel Kant maintained the view that 'Existence' is obviously not a predicate."
This can be paraphrased as:

"One prominent scholar believes 'existence' is not a predicate." [1]

[edit] Notes
^ Jones et al, p 38.

[edit] References
Jones, Gerald; Jeremy Hayward, Daniel Cardinal (2005). The Philosophy of Religion. Hodder Murray. ISBN 0719579686.

[edit] External links
Paraphrase: Write it in Your Own Words by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab
This literature-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphrase"

Answer 2

paraphrase means to rewrite the poem in your own words. (check this in any dictionary).

the easy way to paraphrase is to make notes of the major things in the poem while looking at the poem. then turn the poem face down (have a cup of coffee is good at this point) and rewrite what the poem said using just your notes.

(if you are the worrying kind you can then check back with the poem that you haven't missed anything).

if your teacher wants more stuff (teachers seem to, don't they?) you could also put notes about why you think the poet wrote this poem (not some other poem - or even why she wrote a poem instead of spending the time looking in windows down the mall); why you think the poet wrote it as a poem (not a short story, or a tv play - both of which would have made more money); and whether you got anything out of reading the poem yourself (did the poem tell you anything interesting? anything relevant? did it amuse you?).

english teachers seldom explain anything well. if they had the ability to express themselves clearly they would have been poets instead.

Answer 3

How To Paraphrase A Poem

Answer 4

Hey!

To paraphrase means to repeat a story or a passage as best as you can, mostly using your own words.

For example, suppose you're telling a friend about a conversation that you heard between Don and Mary. If you try to tell your friend what Mary said, but don't remember her exact words, then you'll do it as best you can using your own words. That's paraphrasing.

Your teacher is saying to tell the poem as best as you can remember it, but using your own words.

Answer 5

you don't rewrite the poem, your teacher probably wants you to summarize it, explain what happens in it and what you think it means using your own words

Answer 6

Just make it plain so that any can understand it. You can say that to paraphrase means to rephrase. .. I know this might sound funny but think of this K.I.S.S. keep it simple stupid. And no I am not callign you stupid. You can never go wrong if you think of it like that. I hope this helps

Answer 7

Four score and seven years ago ...

Paraphrased: 87 years ago

Simplify.

Answer 8

You are hitting the major points. You don't have to use the writer's imagery or graphic detail to do this.

Answer 9

Neither.

You write it using other words.

Answer 10

Hope this helps!