Guidelines for writing a Summary

Headline: Academic writing 
Tittle: Tips to write a summary or research paper

Topic: Format on writing summary or research paper 

Sharing date: 15 Rabiulawal 1440H (Friday)

Source: oleh Christine Bauer-Ramazani 

Assalamualaikum wbt, 

What is it?  The purpose of a summary is to give the reader, in a about 1/3 of the original length of an article/lecture, a clear, objective picture of the original lecture or text.  Most importantly, the summary restates only the main points of a text or  a lecture without giving examples or details, such as dates, numbers or statistics.  Skills practiced? Note-taking, paraphrasing (using your own words and sentence structure), condensing Examples of acceptable paraphrases and unacceptable paraphrases (= plagiarism):  Plagiarism: What It is and How to Recognize and Avoid It (you can refer to the link). Before writing the summary: 1. For a text, read, mark, and annotate the original.   (For a lecture, work with the notes you took.) highlight the topic sentence highlight key points/key words/phrases highlight the concluding sentence outline each paragraph in the margin 2. Take notes on the following: the source (author--first/last name, title, date of publication,                                                                     volume number, place of publication, publisher, URL, etc.) the main idea of the original (paraphrased) the major supporting points (in outline form) major supporting explanations (e.g. reasons/causes or effects) Writing your summary; steps: 1. Organize your notes into an outline which includes main ideas and supporting  points but no examples or details (dates, numbers, statistics). 2. Write an introductory paragraph that begins with a frame, including an in-text citation of the source and the author as well as a reporting verb to introduce the main idea. The reporting verb is generally in present tense. 3. At the end of your summary, double-space and write a reference for the in-text citation (see #8 below), following APA guidelines. ~ARTICLE: In the article, ____________(author's last name) (year) argues(claims/reports/contends/maintains/states) that  ___________________________ (main idea/argument; S + V + C). Example:  In his article, Serwer (1997) describes how Michael Dell founded Dell Computers and claims that Dell’s low-cost, direct-sales strategy and high quality standards accounted for Dell’s enormous success. ~BOOK: In his book The Pearl, John Steinbeck (1945) illustrates the fight between good an evil in humankind.  ~INTERVIEW: In an interview __________________  (first name last name) stated that ________________________________ (main idea/argument; S + V + C) (personal communication, month day, year). Reporting Verbs: STRONG ARGUMENT NEUTRAL INDICATING RESEARCH RESULTS COUNTERARGUMENT SUGGESTION CRITICISM argue state show  refute the claim suggest criticize assert note demonstrate argue against recommend claim report illustrate contend explain indicate maintain discuss point out insist illustrate (studies/authors) prove posit observe (studies/authors) found Other examples of frames: According to ___________________ (author's last name) (year), ____________________________________  (main idea; S + V + C). _______________ (author's last name) (year) argues that ___________________________________________  (main idea; S + V + C).     If no author is given, use the title of the article: According to "_____________________" (Title of the Article) (year), _________________________________ (main idea; S+V+C). _________________ (topic/NP) has had a major impact on the_________________ (NP) of _________________ (main idea; NP) (author's last name, year).                                                                                        ________________'s (author's last name) article on __________________ (topic/NP) (year) discusses the _____________ (main idea; Noun Phrase) of    _____________ (NP).                                                                                      4. The main idea or argument needs to be included in this first sentence. Then mention the major aspects/factors/reasons that are discussed in the article/lecture.  Give a full reference for this citation at the end of the summary (see #6. below).  For a one-paragraph summary, discuss each supporting point in a separate sentence.  Give 1-2 explanations for each supporting point, summarizing the information from the original.  For a multi-paragraph summary, discuss each supporting point in a separate paragraph.  Introduce it in the first sentence (topic sentence). Example: The first major area in which women have become a powerful force is politics.  5. Support your topic sentence with the necessary reasons or arguments raised by the author/lecturer but omit all references to details, such as dates or statistics. 6. Use discourse markers that reflect the organization and controlling idea of the original, for example cause-effect, comparison-contrast, classification, process, chronological order, persuasive argument, etc. 7. In a longer summary, remind your reader that you are paraphrasing by using "reminder phrases," such as The author goes on to say that ... The article (author) further states that ... (Author's last name) also states/maintains/argues that ... (Author's last name) also believes that ... (Author's last name) concludes that 8. Restate the article’s/lecturer’s conclusion in one sentence. 9. Give a full reference for the citation (see the example below for the in-text citations in #2).  For citing electronic sources, please see Citation of Electronic Resources.  References Serwer, A. (1997, Sept. 8).  Michael Dell turns the PC world inside out. Fortune, 76-86. Steinbeck, J. (1945).  The pearl.  New York: Penguin Books. C. B. (2018, June 21). Guidelines for using IN-TEXT CITATIONS in a SUMMARY  (or RESEARCH PAPER). Retrieved November 23, 2018, from http://academics.smcvt.edu/cbauer-ramazani/AEP/EN104/summary.html