Final answer:
The paraphrase simplifies Virginia Woolf's statement about the perception of writing's importance, transitioning from a sign of a lack of focus to a valuable endeavor. The paraphrase changes Woolf's complex modernist style to a more straightforward expression, whilst maintaining the same underlying meaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Virginia Woolf's sentence, "writing became not merely a sign of folly and a distracted mind but was of practical importance," can be paraphrased to mean that writing was no longer seen just as an idle hobby or a sign of a lack of focus, but rather as something with tangible value. Initially, writing may have been viewed as an impractical pursuit, especially for women, but over time it gained recognition for its significance and ability to contribute meaningfully to society and individual expression.
The original statement by Virginia Woolf is crafted using her distinct modernist style, characterized by a nuanced and layered construction that invites deeper analysis. My paraphrased version simplifies her complex ideas into more straightforward and conventional language, aiming for clarity and ease of understanding. The difference between Woolf's original prose and the paraphrase lies in the density of the language and the directness of the message conveyed.