![SUMMARY
EXAMPLE
In “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, Nicholas Carr argues
that the Internet is altering our ability to think, that it is
“chipping away [our] capacity for concentration and
contemplation” (315). Carr observes that the longer he has used
the Web, the harder it has become to focus on long pieces of
writing. Using scientific evidence on brain research as well as
historical examples, Carr notes how our brains take on the
qualities of our intellectual technologies. He suggests, therefore,
that as a result of our current Internet technology, our brains
have become scattered and diffused. Carr goes on to illustrate how
society constantly pushes for greater efficiency and asserts that
the Web is a form of cognitive efficiency. However, he ultimately
concludes that treating brain function as a mechanical process is
a frightening endeavor – one that might benefit the computer
industry but ultimately harm mankind.](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/writingasummary-230306152124-ab428286/85/Writing-a-Summary-pptx-6-320.jpg)
Writing a Summary.pptx
- 1. WRITING A SUMMARY The Art of Summarizing an Argument Information and Examples adapted from: They Say / I Say by Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst “How to Write a Summary” <http://public.wsu.edu/~mejia/Summary.htm> “How to Write a Summary” <http://depts.washington.edu/owrc/Handouts/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Summary.pdf> “Writing a Summary” <http://homepage.smc.edu/reading_lab/writing_a_summary.htm>
- 2. SUMMARIZING A TEXT Frequently when you are writing an argument, you need to discuss the current “conversation” going on about that topic. In doing so, you might need to summarize others’ texts or points of view. In other words, you need to summarize what “they say,” so you can better establish what “you say.” A good summary balances what the original author is saying with the writer’s own focus.
- 3. STEPS FOR WRITING A SUMMARY Reread the text. Divide the text into sections according to each of its main points. (Ignore minor details.) Write down a sentence that summarizes each of the main points of the text. Write a thesis statement that clearly communicates what the entire text was trying to achieve (the claim of the text). This will become the first sentence of your summary. Add each of the remaining sentences you wrote about the main points of the text in the order in which they appear. Add transitions (words like then, however, additionally) that help with the structure and flow. (See the next slide for more information about using transitions.) Edit and revise what you have written. You might use the following format for your thesis: In “<Title of the Piece>,” <Author> shows that <central idea of the piece>.
- 4. USE TRANSITIONS! Transitions are words or phrases that help move readers from thought to thought. They are like road signs – reminding the reader where they came from and where they are headed. They provide cues so the reader can see the connection between your ideas. Transitions can be words, phrases, sentences, or even entire paragraphs (in longer works).
- 5. COMMON TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSIONS LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION Similarity again, also, and, and then, besides, finally, furthermore, in the same way, just as, last, moreover, next … so too, too, likewise, similarly Exception/Contrast although, but, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the one hand … on the other hand, nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the contrary, still, yet Sequence/Order first, second, third, … next, then, finally Time after, afterward, as soon as, at last, at the same time, before, currently, during, earlier, eventually, finally, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, now, recently, simultaneously, so far, soon, subsequently, then, thereafter Example for example, for instance, in fact, namely, specifically, such as, to illustrate Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there Cause and Effect accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, hence, so, then, therefore, thus Additional Support or Evidence additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then Conclusion/Summary as a result, as we have seen, finally, in a word, in any event, in brief, briefly, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in the end, in the final analysis, on the whole, therefore, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in sum, to sum up, in summary
- 6. SUMMARY EXAMPLE In “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, Nicholas Carr argues that the Internet is altering our ability to think, that it is “chipping away [our] capacity for concentration and contemplation” (315). Carr observes that the longer he has used the Web, the harder it has become to focus on long pieces of writing. Using scientific evidence on brain research as well as historical examples, Carr notes how our brains take on the qualities of our intellectual technologies. He suggests, therefore, that as a result of our current Internet technology, our brains have become scattered and diffused. Carr goes on to illustrate how society constantly pushes for greater efficiency and asserts that the Web is a form of cognitive efficiency. However, he ultimately concludes that treating brain function as a mechanical process is a frightening endeavor – one that might benefit the computer industry but ultimately harm mankind.
- 7. FOR WRITING A SUMMARY
- 8. FOCUS ON THE ARGUMENT Identify your source and author the first time you mention the article. Focus on the claim and the supporting reasons. Do not include minor detail. The summary should be a condensed version of the material, presented in your own words. Think about how much time the author focuses on a topic. Spend more time on the ideas that the author spends more time on. Discuss ideas in the order they appear in the original source.
- 9. STAY FOCUSED ON YOUR PURPOSE • Your goal is to describe the article to your reader. • Paraphrase when writing a summary. The summary should primarily be in your own words, not the author’s. If you must use the exact words of the author, put them in quotation marks and cite the page numbers in parenthetical citations. Ex: The author claims that technology is the “fuel of humanity” (101). • Do not try to repeat or paraphrase everything in the article. • If the author uses charts, graphs, or a specific type of evidence, you might mention this in your summary to illustrate how the author proves their point. • Stay focused on what is in the article, not on the general topic itself.
- 10. REMAIN OBJECTIVE. • Do not include a judgement of the article. Remain neutral and just report what is in the article. • Write in present tense. When you write in present tense, your audience feels like the information is more immediate and relevant. • Remind your reader that this is not your own work. Use signal phrases such as the article claims and the author suggests. (See the next slide for a list of signal verbs.)
- 11. USE SIGNAL VERBS THAT FIT THE ACTION Signal verbs indicate who is saying what. In general choose a strong signal phrase than “he says” or “she believes.” Making a Claim: argue assert believe claim emphasize insist observe remind us report suggest Expressing Agreement: acknowledge admire agree endorse extol praise celebrate the fact that corroborate do not deny reaffirm support verify Questioning or Disagreeing: complain complicate contend contradict deny deplore the tendency to qualify question refute reject renounce repudiate Making Recommendations: advocate call for demand encourage exhort implore plead recommend urge warn