Lesson Plan: Paraphrasing and Summarising Ideas and Arguments in Other Authors' Texts

Subject

English

Year Level

11

Duration

30 Minutes

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the difference between paraphrasing and summarising.
2. Demonstrate the ability to paraphrase and summarise ideas from different texts.
3. Apply effective techniques for paraphrasing and summarising in their writing.

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Materials Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Handouts with excerpts from various texts
• Access to online dictionaries or thesauruses (optional)

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Lesson Outline

Introduction (5 minutes)

• Begin with a brief discussion on why paraphrasing and summarising are important skills for academic writing.
• Explain the definitions:
  • Paraphrasing: Restating someone else's ideas in your own words while retaining the original meaning.
  • Summarising: Condensing the main ideas of a text into a shorter form.

Explanation and Examples (10 minutes)

• Provide examples of a short paragraph and demonstrate:
  • Paraphrasing: Take a key idea from the paragraph and rewrite it in different words.
  • Summarising: Provide a concise summary of the same paragraph, focusing on the main point.

Example Text for Discussion

"The rapid development of technology has transformed the way individuals communicate, creating an array of platforms that enable instant interaction across the globe."

• Paraphrase: The fast advancement of technology has changed how people engage with each other, allowing for various platforms that facilitate immediate communication worldwide.
• Summary: Technology has significantly altered communication, leading to instant global interaction.

Guided Practice (5 minutes)

• Students will practice paraphrasing and summarising a short excerpt in pairs.
• Hand out a different paragraph and have students work together to create a paraphrase and summary.

Independent Practice (5 minutes)

• Ask each student to select a paragraph from a text they are currently studying or from the provided handouts.
• They must write a paraphrase and a summary of the chosen text on their own.

Closing and Review (5 minutes)

• Highlight the key differences between paraphrasing and summarising.
• Discuss what techniques were helpful in completing the exercises.
• Remind students of the importance of using their own words to avoid plagiarism.

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Homework

Task 1: Paraphrasing Practice

1. Choose any paragraph from a news article or literary text (150-200 words).
2. Write a paraphrase of the paragraph in your own words.

Task 2: Summarising Practice

1. After reading the same article or text, write a summary of the main points in 50-75 words.

Answers

There will be no definitive answers, as students' responses will vary. However, look for the following in their responses:

• Paraphrase Criteria:

  • The meaning is preserved.
  • Different words are used.
  • Sentence structure may change.

• Summary Criteria:

  • Key points are identified.
  • Extraneous details are omitted.

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Additional Notes

• Encourage students to use resources such as dictionaries or thesauruses when needed.
• Remind them to focus on understanding the original text thoroughly before attempting to paraphrase or summarise.

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This lesson plan engages students with practical exercises that enhance their skills in paraphrasing and summarising, adhering to the Australian Education Curriculum standards for Year 11 English.