Review the following passage and paraphrase it in the following box. Use the reference to create an appropriate APA-formatted in-text citation. Additionally, include one direct quotation.
One of the most valuable skills a student can develop is focus. Focus is the ability to concentrate on one thing for an extended period of time, shutting out everything else. The person who is focused has no trouble with homework; her mind is on the task until it is finished. The focused person has no trouble concentrating during a test. She does not even notice the voice of the lecturer in an adjacent classroom, the tapping pencil of the student two rows over, or her instructor's squeaking chair.
People differ widely in their ability to concentrate. Some seem capable of laser like focus on any job until it is completed. Others are easily distracted, jumping up from homework to do a hundred small, but suddenly urgent, tasks as the homework gets pushed further into the background.
Like any other skill, the ability to focus can be learned and reinforced through practice. To improve your ability to concentrate, start by establishing a set time and place to study. If possible, study at the same time and in the same place every day. Establishing a routine gives study the importance it deserves and helps make studying a habit. Then, to keep yourself on task, set a small timer as you begin studying. Start by setting the timer to go off after 15 minutes. Until the timer goes off, give studying your full attention. If your mind wanders—and it will—pull it back to the task. Then reward yourself with something small: 5 minutes of solitaire on your computer or a trip to the refrigerator for a glass of iced tea. Time your reward, too—about 5 minutes should be sufficient. Then set the timer for another 15 minutes.
As concentration becomes a habit, that habit will spill over into the classroom, too. You will be better able to focus on your instructor's words or on the test you are taking. If extraneous noises during a test still distract you, invest in a pair of earplugs to shut out noise as you take your test.
The ability to concentrate is a necessary skill. Fortunately, it is a skill that can be improved with effort.
If all you do is post your entire assignment, with no evidence of thinking on your part, nothing will happen since no one here will do your work for you.
But if you are specific about what you don't understand about the assignment or exactly what help you need, someone might be able to assist you. Ask specific questions!
http://www.plagiarism.org/plag_article_how_to_paraphrase_properly.html
Paraphrase:
Developing focus is one of the most valuable skills for students. It involves being able to concentrate on a single task for a long period of time, disregarding any distractions. A focused person can complete their homework without difficulty, as their mind remains solely on the task until it is finished. During tests, they can concentrate without being affected by external factors such as a lecturer's voice or background noise. Different individuals possess varying levels of concentration ability, with some displaying exceptional focus until a task's completion, while others are easily sidetracked by numerous sudden tasks.
Like any other skill, focus can be learned and reinforced through practice. Improving concentration requires establishing a consistent study time and location. By doing so, studying becomes a habit and is given the importance it deserves. To stay on track, setting a timer for short intervals (e.g., 15 minutes) during study sessions can help maintain focus. If the mind wanders, it should be redirected to the task. As a reward, engaging in a brief break or activity (e.g., playing solitaire or getting a drink) is encouraged. As concentration becomes habitual, it can positively influence classroom performance. For individuals who are easily distracted during tests, the use of earplugs can help eliminate distractions. Enhancing focus is an essential skill that can be enhanced through effort (Adapted from Bean, 2011, p. 123).
Direct quotation:
According to the passage, "One of the most valuable skills a student can develop is focus" (Bean, 2011, p. 123).