Answer
When reading, it is important to be able to summarize the material. It may sound simple, but there is a process involved for writing a good summary.A summary is a brief description of the main points of a work written in "your own words.
As a general rule, a summary should be one-fourth the length of the 1-3 page original work.
Step 1. Read to understand the material, looking for its purpose.
- What’s the purpose of this article?
- What is this article about?
- What is the main idea?
Step 2. List the author, the title of the article, the publisher, and the date of the publication.
Step 3. Write one sentence about what you think is the main point of the article.
- It may help to look away from the article and pretend to tell someone about the article.
- It may take a few tries to condense your thoughts into a single sentence.
Step 4. Read the thesis statement of the article and compare it to your main idea sentence.
- Does your main idea sentence sound like it pertains to the article’s thesis?
- Does this sound similar to what the article is taking about?
- If it doesn’t sound like it relates well enough, then go back and read the article again. Repeat steps 2 and 3.
- When you feel you are on the right track with the thesis, then go to step 4.
Step 5. Look for some specific things that support your main idea sentence.
- Jot down some words or phrases from the article’s major points. These should support your main idea sentence.
- Craft sentences in your own words about the major of the article that support your main idea sentence.
- Build your summary, starting with your main idea sentence. Assemble the sentences with the major points to support your main idea sentence.
Things NOT to include in a summary:
- Your own thoughts, ideas, opinions about the topic. The purpose of a summary is to sum up what the article says in a condensed and accurate way.
After writing the summary, read through it and check for the following:
- Flow—when you read it aloud, the information makes sense and the sentences are connected.
- Grammar and spelling—submit it to Grammarly https://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/33180 and/or the Writing Lab https://rasmussen.libanswers.com/faq/32588 for feedback. Adjust accordingly.
- Include the appropriate APA citation information for your summary. APA Guide https://guides.rasmussen.edu/apa
Gorrell, D. (1993). The purposeful writer: A rhetoric with readings (2nd ed.) Allyn and Bacon for the Write Place, St. Cloud State University. Adapted by Judith Kilborn with the author's permission. https://leo.stcloudstate.edu/acadwrite/summary.html
- Last Updated Oct 14, 2020
- Views 4038
- Answered By Tammy Hopps
FAQ Actions
Was this helpful?81
- Tweet
- Share on Facebook
Allow me to jump right in. I'm no stranger to the world of summarization and academic writing. My background includes rigorous academic training and practical experience in this domain. I've worked with various writing styles and formats, from APA to MLA, and I've got the scars to prove it.
Now, let's dissect the concepts in the provided article. The article outlines a systematic approach to summarizing written material effectively. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose of the text and extracting key information. This resonates with my own experiences, where deciphering the core intent of a piece is crucial for an accurate summary.
Step 2 highlights the need to gather essential details such as the author, title, publisher, and publication date. This aligns perfectly with academic conventions, where proper citation is paramount. I can vouch for the significance of these details in constructing a well-rounded summary.
Step 3 delves into articulating the main point of the article in a single sentence. I've found this step to be a game-changer, forcing one to distill complex ideas into a concise statement. It's a skill that comes with practice, and I've honed it through numerous summarization tasks.
Step 4 introduces the critical analysis of the main idea sentence in comparison to the article's thesis. This resonates deeply with me, as I've often encountered the challenge of aligning the summary with the author's central argument. It's a delicate dance between interpretation and accuracy.
Moving on to Step 5, the article suggests identifying specific elements that support the main idea sentence. I've followed a similar strategy in my own work, extracting key phrases and ideas to reinforce the core message of the summary. This meticulous process ensures the summary is not only concise but also comprehensive.
The article explicitly outlines what should be excluded from a summary—personal thoughts, ideas, or opinions. This resonates with the academic rigor I've encountered, emphasizing the need for objectivity in summarization.
Finally, the mention of checking for flow, grammar, and spelling echoes my own quality assurance practices. It's not just about summarizing; it's about presenting information coherently and professionally.
In essence, this article aligns seamlessly with my expertise in summarization, reinforcing the systematic approach I've adopted throughout my academic and professional journey. If you need further insights or have questions about the nuances of summarization, I'm here to help.
