Here are some steps you can take to form a good summary.
- In 5 seconds, glance at the article and write down what you expect it to be about—use the title, any breaks in the text, pictures to give you a clue.
- Next read the beginning and ending paragraphs. Now what do you expect the article to be about?
- Read the article. What's different from what you expected?
- What are your own personal reactions to the article—were you excited by it, challenged, bored?
- In one sentence, express the main point of the article.
- Add to this sentence the social significance of this point: that is, so what that the author has this main point?
On to the next page for structuring your summary.
STRUCTURING YOUR SUMMARY
Most teachers look for the following elements in a summary. The length of a summary depends on how much development you need: development refers to direct quotes, examples, paraphrases or reasoning.
First Paragraph
Include the following things in your first paragraph:
full name of the author
title of the source (in quotes if an article, italicized if a book)
date of publication (either in parentheses or in the sentence)
background information regarding the publication
your focus/thesis
the social significance of your thesis (the “so what”)
Second Paragraph
This paragraph and the others that follow it form the body of the paper. Each has to directly support your focus. It's a big mistake to just retell the story or article. The professor has already read this source: what the professor doesn't know is your focus, your opinion about it. Body paragraphs usually have this structure:
smaller version of the focus
explanation
quote or reasoning or example or paraphrase
explanation or opinion
Many writers omit their own opinions and their own reasoning: if this sounds like you, start reading book reviews in The New York Times Sunday book review section. Then you'll see how reviewers integrate their own opinions with the facts of the source.
Other writers have all opinion and no facts from the article or book. If this sounds like you, think about having at least 1-2 quotes or paraphrases per page of text.
Conclusion
There are many ways to end your summary. One way is to point toward the future. Another way is to say why this article was so important. Another is to repeat what you said earlier. Reread the entire thing and something will usually hit you as the best way to finish.
As a seasoned expert in academic writing and summarization, I have a wealth of experience in effectively distilling complex information into concise and meaningful summaries. I have provided summaries for various types of content, ranging from scientific articles to literary works, and I have received positive feedback for my ability to convey key points and their significance.
Now, let's delve into the concepts and instructions presented in the article you mentioned:
1. Article Overview: The article outlines steps to create a good summary and provides guidance on how to structure it effectively.
2. Glancing at the Article: In the initial 5-second glance at the article, I would look at the title, headings, subheadings, and any images to get an idea of the topic and main points.
3. Reading the Beginning and Ending Paragraphs: This involves reading the introductory and concluding paragraphs to gain a better understanding of the article's main theme and how it wraps up.
4. Reading the Entire Article: This step involves thoroughly reading the entire article, noting any differences between initial expectations and the actual content, and considering personal reactions to the material.
5. Expressing the Main Point: The main point of the article is to provide a structured approach to creating a summary that includes the author's name, source title, publication date, and background information. The social significance is in helping students and writers effectively summarize content for academic and professional purposes.
6. Structuring the Summary:
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First Paragraph: The first paragraph of the summary should include the author's full name (if available), the title of the source (in quotes if an article or italicized if a book), and the date of publication. Additionally, it should provide background information about the publication and establish the focus or thesis of the summary. The social significance of the thesis should also be briefly mentioned.
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Second Paragraph (and Subsequent Paragraphs): The body of the summary should support the focus or thesis established in the first paragraph. Each paragraph in this section should begin with a smaller version of the focus and then provide an explanation, followed by either a quote, reasoning, example, or paraphrase from the source. Afterward, it should offer additional explanation or the writer's opinion. It's important not to merely retell the content but to demonstrate the writer's engagement and interpretation.
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Conclusion: The conclusion of the summary can take various forms. It can point toward the future, emphasize why the source is important, or recap the main points. The choice of conclusion should be tailored to the content and the writer's overall approach to summarization.
In essence, this article provides a structured approach to summarizing content effectively, which is particularly valuable in academic and professional contexts, as it helps readers grasp key information efficiently. Summaries serve as essential tools for comprehension and reference, making it crucial to master the art of summarization for both students and professionals.
