Abstract:
A technique for helping English-as-a-Second-Language
students learn to write accurate paraphrases and summaries, free from
personal interpretation, is described. Students first read, in pairs,
a paragraph that has a main idea and requires some inferential
thinking, especially about the tone and/or purpose. After a specific
period of time, students put the passage away and answer two
multiple-choice comprehension questions, one addressing the main idea
and one inferential. Student pairs must decide on their answer choice
and justify their response, requiring them to use their own language
to talk about the paragraph. Basics of summarizing and paraphrasing
are then reviewed briefly. The students, still in pairs, write a
brief summary without consulting the original passage. The class then
analyzes sample summaries, and compares students' interpretations,
making the distinction between accurate summaries and personal
interpretation. In an exercise in identifying bias, students are
divided into two groups, with each given a different assignment on
the same paragraph. Volunteers then share their paragraphs with class
members for critiquing and identification of vocabulary and phrases
showing bias. (MSE)
