SUMMARY WRITING

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Definition and characteristics
Steps in writing a summary
How to write a summary
Writing Practice

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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.

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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.

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

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Write One-Sentence summaries
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Write a one-sentence summary for each section of thought on a separate sheet of paper.

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Formulate the Thesis Statement
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Formulate a central theme that weaves the one-sentence section summaries together.

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Compress supporting details
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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 general words instead of specific words
Use the shortest possible transitions
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Avoid figurative language
Put the main points of a dialogue in indirect speech

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Write Your First Draft
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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)

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Begin your summary with the title, author of the work
In Catherine Coleman ’ s ESL 33
Spring 2008 syllabus …

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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.

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

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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

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Evaluate supporting details
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Cover all of the author ’ s major supporting ideas.
Show the relationships among these ideas.
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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.

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Academic Language Reporting Verbs
Other words you can use instead of “ says ” or “ tells ” or “ talks about ” reports asks insists believes reveals observes maintains points out advises asserts implies declares notes suggests finds describes claims contends proposes establishes explains

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You will have to use transitions and other kinds of language to make your summary flow.
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First the author ………… .
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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 …………… ..

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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

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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.

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Write a summary of about 150 words on the article: