Summarizing a textSummarizing a text

A summary…A summary…

• Is a short version of a longer text

• Contains the central argument (thesis) and supporting arguments of the original text

• Shouldn’t be more than ¼ to ⅓ of the original

Steps in summarizing a text 1:Steps in summarizing a text 1:Preliminary workPreliminary work

• Identify the central argument (thesis)

• Clarify meanings– read pen in hand– flag & look up unknown or unclear words/expressions

• Identify structure– sections (may be implicit)– logic of the argument– original structure can be kept

Steps in summarizing a text 2:Steps in summarizing a text 2:Writing the summaryWriting the summary

• Summarize each paragraph in a sentence – use your own words– drop examples

• Build summary from these sentences– no collage: rewrite to make them fit together– drop sentences that add nothing– avoid quotations

• Ensure logical progression of summary

• Ask: Is the summary the next best thing to reading the original?

ChecklistChecklist

• Technical details– cover page is included?– text is mentioned?– word number is respected and stated?– grammar, syntax, spelling are adequate?– pages are numbered?– 1-inch margins, double-space, suitable font?

• Content – see marking criteria