Lesson 3 | Pressing in deeper: author's tone, probing questions and restating
The value of paraphrasing: Why restate it in your own words?
When asked what a text means, if all you are able to do is repeat the author’s own words back again, it is likely that you do not yet fully grasp what he means. (Adler, How to Read a Book, p.125) The ability to accurately restate another’s thoughts in your own words is a vital test and demonstration of one’s understanding.
In my experience, writing a paraphrase is one of the most difficult—and most rewarding—tasks in Bible study. Difficult, because you must wrestle with your questions until you break through to a clear understanding. You simply cannot put into your own words what you do not yet comprehend. Yet rewarding, because when you finally are able to state it in your own words, you know there is clarity, and you are able to share it with others and help them understand as well.
Consider this example.
As you proceed through this course, you will be building skills aimed toward gaining a better understanding of the text as well as writing a sound and helpful paraphrase.