SUMMARY WRITING GUIDELINES

A summary is a condensation of the main ideas of an article. The length depends on the assignment and the complexity and length of the original article.

The qualities of a summary are:

1. Objectivity: No idea that is not the author's should be included in the summary, and no opinion of the summary writer should be inserted. No judgments are permitted.

2. Completeness: Depending on the assignment, the summary should contain every main idea in the article. Stating only the first main idea, or only one main idea and details to support it, will not give the reader a complete sense of what the article was about.

3. Balance: Giving equal attention to each main idea and stressing ideas that the author stressed will result in an accurate summary.

The goal, then, is to give readers an objective, accurate, balanced view of an article they have not read.

Steps to Follow (check off as you do them):

_1. Preview the article (the title, headings, the first paragraph, the first paragraph of subsequent paragraphs, and the last paragraph.) This gives you a sense of the general topic of the reading. Look up unknown words that you deem to be important.

2. Read the article.

3. Make boxes (or underline) over key concepts, words, phrases that you have already underlined. (Boxes should constitute about 5% of the article.)

4. Make an informal outline of the article from your boxes. Emphasize the points the author emphasizes.

5. Begin to write your summary from your outline, without looking at the original article. WHY??

6. The first sentence MUST follow this convention: In her article/essay/editorial "March on Washington" (Newsweek, April 8, 1991), Mary Smith states (or argues, points out, believes, addresses, sets forth, focuses on, explains... Make sure you know the GRAMMAR of each verb!) Be certain that the first sentence is the THESIS (or main idea) statement!
NB: If you are summarizing an EDITORIAL, the thesis must reflect the author's OPINION (and your verb has to be an OPINION verb, such as regrets, criticizes, applauds, praises, urges, warns).

7. At a later point in your summary, remind us again that you are summarizing someone else's work, e.g., Smith also/further states...

8. Do not quote an author directly. (Why?)

9. Include a response at the end (i.e., AFTER you have completed the summary). Make certain that you title it: My response. This is your opportunity to offer your opinion, evaluation or judgment about the article.

10. Return to your summary and make sure you have NOT COPIED anything except fixed terms (e.g., culture shock, grade inflation, ).

11. Read the summary out LOUD to ensure the meaning is clear and the grammar and spelling are correct. (For grammar check, begin by reading the LAST sentence in your summary, ending up with the thesis statement. WHY?)

12. PREFERABLY type the summary and use the spell-check. (At the university, typing your papers is universally required.)

13. Count the number of words (EXCLUDING the response!!) and WRITE it at the top of Page 1 of your summary.

14. AVOID the pronouns I, you, we and you (plural). Use she, he, it or they. (Why?)