Summaries-- What are they?


Summaries-- What are they?
Definition: a brief restatement in your own words of a text's main ideas (Holt Handbook, 5th edition); a condensation of an extended idea or argument into a sentence or more in your own words" (Little, Brown Handbook, 5th edition).
Characteristics:
Summaries identify the source of original text.
Summaries demonstrate your understanding of a text's subject matter.
Summaries are shorter (at least 60% shorter) than the original text--they omit the original text's examples, asides, analogies, and rhetorical strategies: (Holt Handbook, 5th edition).
Summaries differ from paraphrases--paraphrases more closely follow the original text's presentation (they still use your words, but they are longer than summaries).
Summaries focus exclusively on the presentation of the writer's main ideas--they do not include your interpretations or opinions.
Summaries normally are written in your own words--they do not contain extended quotes or paraphrases.
Summaries rely on the use of standard signal phrases ("According to the author..."; "The author believes..."; etc.).
Tips on Writing Summaries
Step One (Prewriting): Read the article quickly. Try to get a sense of the article's general focus and content.
Step Two (Drafting): Restate the article's thesis simply and in your own words. Restate each paragraph's topic simply and in your own words.
Step Three (Revising): Combine sentences in Step Two to form your summary; Organize your summary sentences in the same order as the main ideas in the original text. Edit very carefully for neatness and correctness.

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