Summary

-Condensed version of a
larger reading
-Omits details, and does
not include the reader’s
interpretation of the
original
Key Points to Consider
1.Its connection to the source
2.Reader should develop an
understanding of the original
work
3.Summarizing the text not
criticizing it
DO’S AND DONT’S
IN WRITING A
SUMMARY
 DO’s
1.Do cite the author’s words if you
need them, otherwise it my look
like plagiarism.
2.Do write in present tense, even if
the author has passed away a
long tome ago.
3.Do understand the original source
completely.
4. Do make sure you’ve
said exactly what the
author did when citing
his words.
5. Do revise your paper
when it is ready.
 DON’T’s
1.Don’t include your own examples
or interpretations, repeat
information given in the text but in a
shorter frame and in your own
words.
2.Don’t insert any of your evaluations
or judgments about the text.
3. Don’t grasp all ideas,
focus only on the most
important points.
4. Don’t report on
unnecessary details.
STEPS IN WRITING A
SUMMARY
1. FIRST create an
outline
2. Write the first
sentence of the
summary: In “TITLE,”
AUTHOR VERB THESIS.
3. Briefly discuss ALL of the major
supporting details. a. One
sentence for the major detail.
b. Another sentence or two to
describe or illustrate it. c.
Introduce each with a transition:
“first,” second,” “finally.”
4. Write a concluding
sentence that re-
states the thesis but in
different words.
Caution: Do not copy whole
phrases or sentences.
Instead, use your own words.
Avoid unnecessary words
- “This chapter discussed…”
- “I am going to tell you
about…”
Let the author speak. Keep
yourself out of it. Don’t say
anything like this: “To me, the
most interesting…” “I was
surprised to learn that…”
Statements like these indicate
a personal RESPONSE. They
do not belong in a SUMMARY.
Summary OUTLINE
Title: “________________”
Author:
Thesis (main idea):
Major Supporting Details:
1.
2.
Activity
In “Here’s to Your Health,”
Joan Dunayer describes how
advertisers spend big money
promoting lies about alcohol.
To begin with, they suggest
that alcohol is an indication
of professional success.
However, the fact is that heavy
drinkers actually perform worse
at work and in school. Another
lie is that drinking makes you
sexy. The truth is that alcohol
use can lead to infertility and
impotence.
Then there is the myth that
alcohol and athletics are
a great combination.
Certainly we observe this
connection on every
sports broadcast.
However, any athlete can tell
you that alcohol hinders
coordination and slows you
down. Finally, the alcohol
industry wants us to believe
that drinking promotes family
togetherness and happiness.
What they don’t tell you is
that it is the leading cause
of domestic violence,
crime, suicide, and abuse.
How ironic it is that we toast
one another, “To Your
Health!”
SUMMARY OF A SHORT
STORY/DRAMA
 Steps:
1.Get a subject short story/drama.
2.Scan the short story/drama for its
unfamiliar words and overcome
your problem in meaning about
them.
3.Read the short story/drama
thoroughly for its essence in general.
 4. Read the short
story/drama for its content.
5. Write the summary with a
beginning, body, and
ending.
 a. beginning- generally
comes as the general statement
of the essence of the short
story/drama.
b. body- gives the elements
and their respective presentation
and discussion in a capsulated
form.
 c. ending- this winds
up the short story by
stating that the details
given are those that are
to it in its title.
 Assignment
What is a reaction
paper?
What are the parts
of a reaction paper?