Reading Strategy: Paraphrase
“The Cask of Amontillado”
To understand complex sentences or archaic language, sometimes it helps to paraphrase an
author’s words. When you paraphrase, you restate the information in your own words. By
doing so, you simplify the original and make it easier to understand.
A paraphrase is about the same length as the original text. It includes all the details of
the original but is written in simpler language.
1. “It must be understood, that neither by word nor deed had I given Fortunato cause
to doubt my good-will.” (lines 9-10)
2. “I was so pleased to see him, that I thought I should never have done wringing his
hand.” (lines 25-26)
3. “Putting on a mask of black silk, and drawing a roquelaure closely about my person, I
suffered him to hurry me to my palazzo.” (lines 56-58)
4. “I paused again, and this time I made bold to seize Fortunato by an arm above the
elbow.” (lines 109-111)
5. “In an instant he had reached the extremity of the niche, and finding his progress
arrested by the rock, stood stupidly bewildered.” (lines 154-156)
6. “I had scarcely laid the first tier of masonry when I discovered the intoxication of
Fortunato had in a great measure worn off.” (lines 173-174)
7. “But to those words I hearkened in vain for a reply.” (line 209)
Challenge: On the back of this paper, paraphrase the first two paragraphs of the story. (lines 1-12)