Transcript Characteristics of a Good Summary

SUMMARY WRITING
Notes in LINK
WHAT IS A SUMMARY?
1. A summary is a shortened,
condensed version.
2.
The purpose of a summary is to share
the main ideas.
3. Summaries keep the same tone as the
original piece or do not contain opinion.
4. Summaries do not require a
formal conclusion
Characteristics of a Good
Summary
Brief (should be much shorter than the original article)
 Complete (cover all main points)
 Paraphrased (don’t use author’s words)
 Objective (don’t add your opinion)
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Steps in Writing a Summary:
Prewriting
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Read the article carefully, making
sure you understand the contents.
Annotate (take notes) the article,
noting the thesis statement and the
major supporting details
Using your annotations (notes),
create an outline that shows the
main organization of the article.
Steps in Writing a Summary:
Writing
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Begin with a sentence that includes
• author’s name
• title of the article
• thesis of the article
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According to Joe Smith in “Healthy Eating
for Life,” the foods we choose to eat
influence the length and quality of our lives.
Joe Smith states in “Healthy Eating for Life”
that the foods we choose to eat influence
the length and quality of our lives.
Steps in Writing a Summary:
Writing
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Follow with sentences that
paraphrase major supporting points
• Paraphrase = state in your own words
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Enclose any directly quoted material
in quotation marks
After the first sentence, refer to the
author by last name or as “the
author”
• Smith states a diet high in animal fats and sugars
can lead to obesity and cardiovascular problems.
How to Condense a Summary
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Omit examples
Omit restatements
Create lists to combine key points
from multiple sentences or
paragraphs
Steps in Writing a Summary:
Revising
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Compare the summary to the
original article to make sure you
have included all the important
points.
Double check to make sure you have
paraphrased the material accurately.
Proofread for complete sentences,
correct grammar, punctuation, and
spelling.
How to Plan Your Summary
Things to include:
I
Identify the Item
- Book, story, article, chapter
- Title
- Author
V
Summary Verb
F
Main Idea
- Important details
I
V
(identify the item)
(choose a verb)
summarize
summary
retell
important details
main ideas
F
(finish the thought)
Topic Sentence:
b
Fact Outline (approximately 4-7) “J.O.T.”
___
____
____
____
Conclusion = Summaries do not require a conclusion.
Finally, write your summary following the fact outline.
SUTW-10-EL(U)
USE STRONG VERBS
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tells explains
compares
lists
shows
defines
acknowledges
evaluates
classifies
adds
defends
assertsfeatures
depicts
identifies
entertains
considers
offers judges contrasts
praises
demonstrates provides
endorses
asks
confirms
suggests
entices
names
recommends
YOUR TURN: DIRECTIONS
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Read the following informational article.
As you read, you may mark the article or
make notes.
After reading the article, plan and write a
summary of what you have read USING the
organizer.
You may reread or go back to the article at
any time.