Paraphrasing What You Hear
Aligned to SL.4.2 — Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.
What this lesson teaches
To paraphrase means to say the main idea of something you heard or read in your own words. You keep the key points but leave out the extra details, which shows you really understood it.
Worked examples
Example 1
After hearing, 'The class will meet in the library at nine, bring a pencil, and sit with your reading group,' you could paraphrase: 'We go to the library at nine with a pencil.'
Example 2
After hearing a long explanation of the water cycle, paraphrase: 'Water evaporates, forms clouds, falls as rain, and starts over.'
Example 3
A paraphrase should be shorter than the original and in your own words. If it is the same length, you are repeating, not paraphrasing.
Practice questions
- Listen to someone give directions and say the main idea back in your own words.
- Explain the difference between paraphrasing and repeating word for word.
- Retell the main point of a short video or announcement in one sentence.
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Parafrasear lo que Escuchas
Parafrasear significa decir la idea principal de algo que escuchaste o leíste con tus propias palabras. Conservas los puntos clave pero dejas fuera los detalles extra, lo que muestra que de verdad lo entendiste.
Ejemplo 1: Después de escuchar: 'La clase se reunirá en la biblioteca a las nueve, traigan un lápiz y siéntense con su grupo de lectura,' podrías parafrasear: 'Vamos a la biblioteca a las nueve con un lápiz.'
Ejemplo 2: Después de oír una explicación larga del ciclo del agua, parafrasea: 'El agua se evapora, forma nubes, cae como lluvia y vuelve a empezar.'
Ejemplo 3: Una paráfrasis debe ser más corta que el original y con tus palabras. Si tiene el mismo largo, estás repitiendo, no parafraseando.
More Speaking & Listening lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required