FUNDAMENTALS OF WRITING
March 24, 2014
Today
• Continue summaries
• Introduction to Assignment 1
Summary
A shortened or condensed version of something
- a text, a conversation, an event, etc.
The purpose is to share the main ideas.
Summaries keep the same tone as the original
- They do not contain opinion.
No formal conclusion is required.
Applications of summarizing
- Exams/tests
- Research (i.e., for your thesis)
- Reporting information (i.e., to a manager or to clients)
Overall, being able to summarize effectively demonstrates
your understanding of something and your ability to
communicate concisely.
Making a summary…summary
• 1. Quick check
• 2. Read + mark
• 3. Re-read
• 4. Take notes
• 5. Write
• 6. Check
• 7. Polish & write again
Making a summary: Audience
The amount of detail provided in a summary depends on
who the audience is.
i.e., Telling your friend the plot of a movie you just watched
vs.
summarizing a movie’s plot for movie website
Making a summary: Context
If summarizing information within something larger
(i.e., providing supporting statistics in a research paper)
a summary may be a brief report of information.
i.e., Davis (2009) found that 93% of cake eaters lived to the
age of 100 or more.
Making a summary: Context
A verbal summary of something (i.e., an internet article)
may also be quite concise.
Making a summary: Context
If making a summary is a question on an exam or the major
part of an assignment, more detail is often necessary to
demonstrate your understanding of the original source.
Making a summary: Context & Audience
Last class’s article: “New Internet Rules Offer Window into
North Korea” - Word count: 480
If summarizing to a classmate:
“Foreigners in North Korea are now allowed to bring their
mobile phones and use them, which indicates changes in
one of the most closed countries in the world. This privilege
will only be given to the few foreigners in North Korea.”
- Word count (41)
Making a summary: Context & Audience
If summarizing as an assignment:
The article, “New Internet Rules Offer Window into North Korea”,
reports that recently, the North Korean government has allowed foreigners
to bring their own smart phones into the country and to use social media.
Some have said this may be a sign that Kim Jong Un may ease some
restrictions.
Martyn Williams of North Korea Tech blog believes allowing
foreigners to use smart phones could contribute to breaking down
censorship in North Korea. He indicates that the use of new technology
has often lead to breakdown of censorships in other authoritarian
countries.
This new service is only for foreigners. Williams also believes this
easing of restrictions may change how foreign media report on North
Korea because reporters can bypass some of North Korea's restrictions
(i.e., sending pictures outside the country).
One writer in Seoul is doubtful that the changes in reporting will be
significant, but other people think this will be helpful.
- Word Count: 152 words
Making a summary: Context
If a summary is a major component of an assignment:
- summary should be about 1/3 the length of the original.
Summarizing: A few more tips
State the name of the original (article, book, report, etc.) at
the beginning of the summary.
i.e., In the article “Bats,” by Debbie Dean, we learn that in
contrast to some mistaken beliefs, bats are not blind
rodents that usually have rabies
Summarizing: A few more tips
Include a thesis statement that communicates the original’s
main idea.
i.e.,
The article, “New Internet Rules Offer Window into
North Korea”, reports that recently, the North Korean
government has allowed foreigners to bring their own smart
phones into the country and to use social media. Some
have said this may be a sign that Kim Jong Un may ease
some restrictions.
Summarizing: A few more tips
If the summary contains multiple paragraphs, stick to the
rule of one idea per paragraph.
Summarizing: A few more tips
The article, “New Internet Rules Offer Window into North
Korea”, reports that recently, the North Korean government has allowed
foreigners to bring their own smart phones into the country and to use
social media. Some have said this may be a sign that Kim Jong Un
may ease some restrictions.
Martyn Williams of North Korea Tech blog believes allowing
foreigners to use smart phones could contribute to breaking down
censorship in North Korea. He indicates that the use of new technology
has often lead to breakdown of censorships in other authoritarian
countries.
This new service is only for foreigners. Williams also believes
this easing of restrictions may change how foreign media report on
North Korea because reporters can bypass some of North Korea's
restrictions (i.e., sending pictures outside the country).
One writer in Seoul is doubtful that the changes in reporting will
be significant, but other people think this will be helpful.
Summarizing: A few more tips
The article, “New Internet Rules Offer Window into North
Korea”, reports that recently, the North Korean government has
allowed foreigners to bring their own smart phones into the
country and to use social media. Some have said this may be a
sign that Kim Jong Un may ease some restrictions. Martyn
Williams of North Korea Tech blog believes allowing foreigners to
use smart phones could contribute to breaking down censorship
in North Korea. He indicates that the use of new technology has
often lead to breakdown of censorships in other authoritarian
countries. This new service is only for foreigners. Williams also
believes this easing of restrictions may change how foreign
media report on North Korea because reporters can bypass
some of North Korea's restrictions (i.e., sending pictures outside
the country). One writer in Seoul is doubtful that the changes in
reporting will be significant, but other people think this will be
helpful.
Summarizing: A few more tips
Use your own words!
- Never copy sentences or phrases directly from the
original.
Summarizing: A few more tips
Use your own words!
i.e.,
Original: Foreigners in North Korea can now use Twitter, Facebook,
and other social media on their mobile phones.
A steady flow of tweets and Instagram pictures
have been observed since the mobile service provider
Koryolink launched its 3G network last week.
The move came just weeks after the North Korean
government announced that it would let foreigners bring
their own mobile phones into the country. Until recently,
foreigners were required to leave the devices with
customs officials after crossing the border.
My words: In North Korea, foreigners are now permitted to bring mobile
phones into the country and use social media on them.
One of the most important parts of an essay is the thesis
statement.
- “One of the most important parts of an essay is the thesis
statement.” (Jones, 1946: 455)
- The thesis statement is a very important part of an essay.
- The thesis statement is the most important part of an essay.
- The thesis statement is the most vital element of an essay
(Jones, 1946).  This example is the most different from the
original. Notice that a citation is still necessary if you are
adapting someone else’s ideas, though.
Using your own words
Original:
Foreigners in North Korea can now use Twitter, Facebook,
and other social media on their mobile phones.
A steady flow of tweets and Instagram pictures
have been observed since the mobile service provider
Koryolink launched its 3G network last week.
Altered:
Since Koryolink recently began operation of its 3G network,
social media content from services such as Twitter and
Facebook has originated from North Korea.
Using your own words
Original:
The new mobile Internet service will only be available to
the small number of foreigners in North Korea.
Altered:
- Only the few foreigners living in NK are able to use the
new mobile Internet service.
Using your own words
Original:
China's official Xinhua news agency says the Koryolink SIM
card will cost $200. Data will cost an additional $200 for
2 gigabytes
Altered:
According to China’s official Xinhua news agency, the
Koryolink SIM card and 2 gigabytes of data will cost $200
each.
Blog
Next entry: Complete by next Monday (11:59pm)
Topic: Anything related to your theme
Length: 2 – 3 paragraphs
Assignment 1
Summary & Response
- Deadlines:
First draft: Thursday (bring to class)
Second draft: Monday March. 31 (5:00 pm)
Final draft: Thursday April 3 (11:59 pm)
- Send to: kachomework@gmail.com
- Subject: FOW assign 1
- File name: NAME_assign 1
Assignment 1
Summary & Response
Two parts:
1. Summarize the article
2. Respond to the question
- Response must use proper paragraph form.