E11: Writing Assignment

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PARAPHRASE

1.      Artificial Languages

Since the time of Descartes, it is estimated that no fewer than five hundred attempts have been made to create artificial languages for international use. The most successful by far has been Esperanto, a language constructed around the end ofthe nineteenth century by Dr. Zamenhof of Poland. Esperanto is a language that is extremely easy to learn and speak, with its words drawn mainly from English, German, the Romance languages, Latin and Greek.

Amore recent arrival on the international scene is Interlingua, scientifically constructed by a group of language experts out of Latin, the Romance languagesand English. But whereas Esperanto has a large body of people who actually speak it scattered throughout the world, Interlingua has not yet achieved much popularity (Pei 175 – 176)

2.      Artificial Languages - Objections

The main objection to constructed languages, like Esperanto of Interlingua, is that they have not developed all the thought-carrying machinery and shades of meaning that natural languages have had a chance to work out for themselves over a period of many centuries; also,the artificial languages presented so far lean too heavily in the direction of the western European and American nations, and carry to little in the way of Slavic, Asiatic, and African words and habits of thought (Pei 176)

3.      Americans

Despite itsethnic diversity, the United States has managed to absorb bits and pieces of many cultures and weave them into a unique culture that is strikingly consistent and distinct. You can pick out Americans anyplace in the world, often very quickly, because of their behavior. Among their most observable traits are openness, friendliness, informality, optimism, creativity, loudness, and vitality (Hall and Hall 140)

4.      The Work Ethic of Americans and Europeans

Europeans often observe that Americans schedule everything except time for relaxation.This is particularly true of American executives, who drive themselves hard, often at the expense of their families and their health. Americans have fewer holidays and take shorter vacations than do Europeans. In the opinion of many German and French executives, American executives are obsessed with work; they’re workaholics. Most Europeans do not accept working on weekends or holidays; they reserve these times for themselves and their families (Hall inHall 145).

SUMMARY

A Less Social Society Becoming Shy

Growing number of those people standing silently in line at the automatic teller machine (ATM) or pumping their own self-service gas are probably victims of America’s silent, anonymous epidemic. They are shy-and the rapid technological and social changes rippling through America are increasing their numbers rapidly, says the world’s pioneering researcher into shyness… the increasing numbers of shy people mean Americans are lonelier, more alienated, and in worseshape, both mentally and physically. That is hardly a prescription for ahealthy society. (Epstein A1)

Stanford university professor Philip G. Zimbardo places the blame for the rising tide of shyness on three factors.  First, automation, as exemplified by ATMs and self-service gas pumps that take credit cards, “robs many of us of one more small opportunity for social contact.” Second, the revolution in personal computers and home electronic entertainment means couch potatoes and cyber-surfers have less reason for social interaction.“E-mail means you don’t have to talk to people, even over the telephone,” Zimbardo commented. Third, the changing nature of family life and rising fear of crime are shutting people off from each other. “You don’t see kids in the streets anymore. All play is organized for them, so they don’t develop the give-and –take and the leadership skills of the play ground,” he warned. With some 50 percent of marriages ending in divorce and with most parents working, children are robbed of the nurturing communication they once enjoyed with their parents and extended families. (qtd.In Epstein A10)

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Introduction - Paraphrasing 2010
Critical Writing Exercises | Selected & edited by Peulano
A. Definitions: 1-When you paraphrase a piece of academic writing, you write a passage that has exactly the same meaning as the original piece of writing but is different enough in both the choice of words and the arrangement of ideas to be considered your own work. You must always accompany a paraphrase by a clear statement that identifies the piece of writing on which the paraphrase is based. (textbook) The paraphrase must: - have exactly the same meaning as the original. - be different enough to be your own work. - always include a reference to the original source. 2- Paraphrasing is the rewriting of an author's idea in your own words. Paraphrase rather than quote when you want to present an author's idea but the exact language is not significant. When you paraphrase, you must cite the source. You also must fully rewrite the original language and original sentence structure. A common mistake is partial paraphrasing. Do not keep the author's exact wording or the same sentence structure. If you retain even a short phrase or a distinctive word, use quotation marks. 3-A paraphrase has: - the same ideas as the original, so a paraphrase may be the same length as the original. - different vocabulary from the original, except where a word may be part of the subject’s language or does not have an alternative. - different grammar from the original, so the ideas may be written in a different order. 4-Paraphrasing is different from summarizing and quoting Paraphrasing contains all the information in the original source. Summarizing contains only the most important information in the original source. Paraphrasing requires different wording, structures. Quoting is writing exact words and word order of the original source. (textbook) 5- Paraphrasing is the act of putting information from another source in your own words. This is more than simply changing a couple of words in a sentence. One easy and effective way to paraphrase is to read the passage you are referencing, close the book or put away the article and try to summarize the ideas yourself. B. Hints for Paraphrasing Reading the source: - look up unfamiliar words. - identify main ideas (kernels - verbal phrases) - make sure you have a very clear understanding of all parts of the original text. Planning the paraphrase - using synonyms - breaking long sentences into shorter ones, and combine short sentences for variety. - restructuring sentences - repeating key words - changing the order of ideas - making abstract ideas more concrete. Writing a draft paraphrase ( the loose paraphrase) Revising your work with the list of pitfalls
1. Misread the original?
2. Included too much of the original?
3. Left out important information?
4. Added your own opinion?
5. Summarized rather paraphrased?
6. Substituted inappropriate synonyms?
7. Expanded or narrowed the meaning?
8. Forgotten to document? (textbook)

C. Ways to make reference to the original text Introductory Phrases: Use introductory phrases to tell the reader what the author thinks or does in their text. Consider using the following after you have given the author's name (and the year or notation):
X states that . . .
X claims that . . .
X asserts that . . .
X agrees that . . .
X strongly argues . . .
X comments that . . .
X suggests that . . .
X comments that . . .
X says that . . .
X observes that . . .
X takes the view that . . .
X contends that . . .
X believes that . . .
X proposes that . . .
X concludes that . . .
X maintains that . . .
X concedes that . . .
X notes that . . .
According to X . . .
As X states . . .

Ways to cite:
the name of the author, the year of publication and the title of the work, etc.
There are two systems of referencing: The system of in-text citations used in English and the humanities: by the Modern Language Association (MLA) The system used in social sciences: by the American Psychological Association (APA) Besides, there are also Oxford referencing and Harvard referencing. It’s up to you to choose one system to use. In class, the APA and Harvard system are recommended for these are so popular today in all sciences. Examples: Original quotation Harrison (1992, p.567) strongly argues that “Freud suffered from a serious personality disorder”. Paraphrases with Harvard referencing 1-As Harrison (1992, p.567) argues, Freud had a difficult personality. 2-Harrison (1992, p.567) believes that Freud had a personality problem. Basic format for a paraphrase as suggested in APA system Including the author’s last name and the date (year of publication) either in a signal phrase or in parentheses at the end. A page number is not required. 1-According to Davis (1978), when they learned of an ape’s ability ……. 2-When they learned of an ape’s ability …….(Davis, 1978).

D- Steps to Effective Paraphrases

1-Read the passage to be paraphrased at least twice. 2-Extract the main ideas by kernels. 3-Circle any words or phrases you do not understand. 4-Use the dictionary or glossary for the definition of the word or phrase (Using - synonym techniques) 5-Read the passage again and place your definition of the unfamiliar words (synonyms) in the phrase. 6-Read through the passage. Translate the phrases into your own words (restructuring techniques) 7-Review your paraphrase, looking for errors (pitfalls) and completeness.

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