“I, Mercator” by Stephen Hall
Page 16

Original:
The ability to conjure, the willingness to fill in the blanks, the urgency with which one needs to know – all contribute to what the map becomes in the hands of the inspired imaginer: an instrument of destiny.

Paraphrase #1:
The capacity to imagine, the will to contribute to an empty canvas, the gravity of sincere curiosity – these are all factors in shaping what the map shall be when wielded by a visionary: a wayfinder for fate.

Paraphrase #2:
The capability of creative and original thought, the urge to finish an uncompleted work, the weight of wonder – these are the totality of the map when used by a being with imaginative faculties: a tool for combatting predestination.

Paraphrase #3
The proficiency of artistic and individualistic passion, the longing for the opportunity to conclude the unconcluded, the powerful sway of awe – these are the sum of the map when in use by the inspired explorer: an apparatus to navigate finality.

“Introduction: The Manila Envelope” by Audrey Watters
Page 2

Original:
Sadly, despite the great promise of technology to transform how we teach and learn, students continue to do menial, repetitive work in new digital worksheets and in new digital environments.

Paraphrase #1:
Unfortunately, in spite of the incredible prospect of technology to completely alter how humanity educates and is educated, learners still complete dull, routine tasks in innovative electronic ledgers and in innovative electronic workspaces.

Paraphrase #2:
Regrettably, even though there exists the magnificent potential of technology to revolutionize education, those who are eager and willing to learn must slog through drab, monotonous chores in the latest spreadsheets and in the technological ecosystem.

Paraphrase #3:
Woefully, regardless of the dazzling possibilities of technology to disrupt current methods of academic guidance, people who are inclined to absorb and comprehend new information shall toil away through unappealing, lifeless burdens in modern databases and in contemporary networks.

Reflection

The choice of which passages to paraphrase ultimately boiled down to the passages that I felt had the most impact on the reader. These passages were not necessarily ones that had the most personal connections to myself, but rather the ones that remained with me after I read the respective texts and made their power known.

By paraphrasing these passages, new understandings were revealed to me. In Hall’s text, my interpretation of maps expanded to include “an apparatus to navigate finality”, which I believe envelops not only the physical world, but also the metaphysical realm. Meanwhile, in Watters’ text, my view of certain technological achievements gradually transformed from one of optimism to one of pessimism as I realized the monotony of the standard use of technology.

In my opinion, Watters was somewhat more difficult to paraphrase because of the final phrase, which repeats the term “digital” twice. Because this word has slightly different meanings in each application within the clause, I ensured that I never repeated the same word when paraphrasing “digital” in this final section.