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LECTURE FOURTEEN

LECTURE FOURTEEN. SUMMARY WRITING. SUMMARY WRITING. Definition and characteristics Steps in writing a summary How to write a summary Writing Practice. What Is Summary?.

evangeline-shepard
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LECTURE FOURTEEN

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  1. LECTURE FOURTEEN SUMMARY WRITING

  2. SUMMARY WRITING • Definition and characteristics • Steps in writing a summary • How to write a summary • Writing Practice

  3. What Is Summary? • A summary is a shortened passage, which retains the essential information of the original. It is a fairly brief restatement --- in your own words --- of the contents of a passage. • Note: You simply report back what the writer has said, without making value judgements.

  4. Characteristics of a good summary • Briefness • omit unnecessary details like examples, explanations and other unimportant information. (length: 1/4-1/3 of original text) • Completeness • to include all the main and supporting points delivered in your own words in a condensed manner • Coherence • rather than an outline listed as key words and phrase, a summary is a paragraph with necessary transitions and function structures to make it flow. • Objectivity • to contain only the ideas or information of the original. Do not include your own ideas or emotions on the topic.

  5. Steps in Writing a Summary • Read the article • Divide the article into sections of ideas. Each section deal with one aspect of the central theme. • Label each section with a general phrase that captures the subject matter of the section. • Highlight or underline the main points and key phrases.

  6. Steps in Writing a Summary • Write One-Sentence summaries • Write a one-sentence summary for each section of thought on a separate sheet of paper.

  7. Steps in Writing a Summary • Formulate the Thesis Statement • Formulate a central theme that weaves the one-sentence section summaries together.

  8. Steps in Writing a Summary • Compress supporting details • Omit the details • Reduce the examples • Simplify the descriptions • Eliminate all repetitions • Compress wordy sentences and change clauses or sentences to phrases and phrases to words. • Use generalwords instead of specific words • Use the shortest possible transitions • Avoid figurative language • Put the main points of a dialogue in indirect speech

  9. Steps in Writing a Summary • Write Your First Draft • Begin with a proper citation of the title, author, source, and date of publication of the article summarised. • Combine the thesis statement and your one-sentence segment summaries into a one-to-two-paragraph summary. • Use transitions for a smooth and logical flow of ideas. • Conclude with a “summing up” sentence by stating what can be learned from reading the article. (optional)

  10. Beginning a Summary • Begin your summary with the title, author of the work • In Catherine Coleman’s ESL 33 Spring 2008 syllabus…

  11. Beginning a Summary • Introductory sentence should be general – in one sentence try to provide a general overview of the article • …the instructor provides details for students' successful completion of the class.

  12. Beginning a Summary • In Catherine Coleman’s ESL 33 Spring 2008 syllabus, the instructor provides details for students' successful completion of the class.

  13. Some introductory phrases • 1. (The author) states in (this article) that... • 2. (The author, in (this article) shows that... • 3. In (this article), (the author) writes that... • 4. As (the author) says in (this article), ... • 5. The main idea of (the author's article) is

  14. Organize the supporting details • Evaluate supporting details • Cover all of the author’s major supporting ideas. • Show the relationships among these ideas. • Omit specifics, such as illustrations, descriptions, and detailed explanations. • Omit all personal opinions, ideas, and inferences. Let the reader know that you are reporting the author’s ideas.

  15. Organize the supporting details • Academic Language Reporting Verbs • Other words you can use instead of “says” or “tells” or “talks about”

  16. Using transitions in the body • You will have to use transitions and other kinds of language to make your summary flow. • First the author …………. • The author begins by stating that users should………. • He then points out that……. • In the second part of the article…….. • In the final section of the article, the author suggests……………..

  17. Identify the main idea in each part. • Paraphrase the main idea • Compile sentence paraphrases • Rough Summary Paragraph Main idea paraphrase Main idea Main idea Main idea Summary

  18. Points to Remember • Do not write an overly detailed summary: the point is to reduce the work to its essence. • Use your own voice. • Quote from the material sparingly to illustrate major ideas -- stick to paraphrase for the most part. • Preserve the balance and proportion of the original work.

  19. Writing Practice • Write a summary of about 150 words on the article: Practicaland Poetic People

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