Directed Paraphrasing

 
Source:  Classroom Assessment Techniques:  A Handbook for College Teachers by Thomas A. Angelo and K. Patricia Cross
Description:  The ability to translate specialized knowledge into language that clients/customers/peers can understand is a very important skill.  Directed Paraphrasing is an assessment technique designed to assess (a) students' ability to summarize and restate important topics or concepts in their own words and (b) students' ability to translate their learning into a form understood by people outside the classroom.  This technique is "directed" because it aims at a specific audience for a specific reason.
Example:  Directed Paraphrasing prompts from several disciplines: (Taken from Classroom Assessment Techniques, p.233)

From Database Systems (Computer Science)

In plain language and in less than five minutes, paraphrase what you have read about computer viruses-for a vice president of a large insurance who is ultimately responsible for database security.  Your aim is to convince her/him to spend time and money "revaccinating" thousands of workstations.

From Science in the Secondary Schools (Education)

First, in no more than two or three sentences, paraphrase the "punctuated equilibrium" theory of evolution advanced by Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould.  Direct your paraphrase to a veteran science teacher who has taught the "modern synthesis" view for years and has never heard of this more recent theory.  Next, write a paraphrase of the same theory but for a very different audience.  Paraphrase "punctuated equilibrium" in two or three sentences for a bright seventh grader who knows a lot about dinosaurs but little about evolutionary theory.

From Managing Community Relations (Criminal Justice)

Imagine that you are the city's deputy police commissioner in charge of community relations and public affairs.  For a two-minute presentation at a meeting of the police officers' union, paraphrase the arguments in favor of creating a civilian review board.  Then, for an equally short statement at the next public meeting of the city council, paraphrase the arguments again creating a civilian review board.

From Small-Business Finance (Business/Management)

Imagine that you have just been invited to give a talk to a group of local small-business owners on specific ways in which proposed changes in the state tax code may affect them.  Paraphrase, in one or two sentences, the proposed changes that are most likely to affect this audience.
Grading/Assessment Techniques:

Technique #1:  Use a simple rubric to evaluate student work in the following three categories (adapted from Classroom Assessment Techniques, p.234):
Accuracy of paraphrase need improvement minimal adequate excellent
Suitability of intended audience need improvement minimal adequate excellent
Effectiveness in fulfilling the assigned purpose need improvement minimal adequate excellent
Note:  In addition to assessing students' ability to internalize important concepts, this exercise also provides an opportunity for student to apply oral and written communication skills.

Technique #2:  Using different colored pens, circle the clearest and muddiest point in each written paraphrase, and then look for common patterns of clarity and confusion.
PROS:  Directed paraphrasing provides an opportunity for students to actively and purposely comprehend and communicate information learned.  This technique also allows the teacher to find out quickly how well students have understood the concepts taught.  This information can provide direction for instructional revision.

CONS:  It is difficult to establish qualitative criteria for a good paraphrase.  Unless the teacher can provide focused and individualized feedback the paraphrasing skills of some students will not improve appreciably.

CAVEAT:  The Directed Paraphrasing exercise must be well structured and planned to be successful and meaningful.  The choice of audience and purpose are particularly important.