Summarizing Text

Summary defined “A summary condenses the original material, presenting its core ideas in your own words” (Spurlock, 2013) “…a summary does not present allthe details, and it is generally as brief as possible” (Bullock, 2013) Bullock, Richard and Maureen Daly Goggin. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings. 3rd ed., New York, 2013. Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Original Source In 1938, in a series of now-classic experiments, exposure to synthetic dyes derived from coal and belonging to a class of chemicals called aromatic amines was shown to cause bladder cancer in dogs. These results helped explain why bladder cancers had become so prevalent among dyestuffs workers. With the invention of mauve in 1854, synthetic dyes began replacing natural plant-based dyes in the coloring of cloth and leather. By the beginning of the twentieth century, bladder cancer rates among this group of workers had skyrocketed, and the dog experiments helped unravel this mystery. The International Labor Organization did not wait for the results of these animal tests, however, and in 1921 declared certain aromatic amines to be human carcinogens. Decade later, these dogs provided a lead in understanding why tire-industry workers, as well as machinists and metalworkers, also began falling victim to bladder cancer: aromatic amines had been added to rubbers and cutting oils to serve as accelerants and antirust agents. --Sandra Steingraber, “Pesticides, Animals, and Humans” Bullock, Richard and Maureen Daly Goggin. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings. 3rd ed., New York, 2013.

Sentence Summary Steingraber explains that experiments with dogs demonstrated that aromatic amines, chemicals used in synthetic dyes, cutting oils, and rubber, cause bladder cancer (976). Bullock, Richard and Maureen Daly Goggin. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings. 3rd ed., New York, 2013.

Summary in essay context Medical researcher have long relied on experiments using animals to expand understanding of the causes of disease. For example, biologist and ecologist Sandra Steingraber notes that in the second half of the nineteenth century, the rate of bladder cancer soared among textile workers. According to Steingraber, experiments with dogs demonstrated that synthetic chemicals in dyes used to color the textiles caused the cancer (976). Bullock, Richard and Maureen Daly Goggin. The Norton Field Guide to Writing with Readings. 3rd ed., New York, 2013.

Three Steps for a Summary Step One: In the first sentence, state the article’s main idea (the author’s claim or thesis); include the author (give his or her full name) and provide the title of the article (put the article title in quotation marks). Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Three Steps for a Summary Step Two: State the major supporting points, important definitions, facts, and statistics. Present these main points in their original order without distorting their emphasis or meaning; omit supporting details, examples, and repetition. Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Three Steps for a Summary Step Three: End with the author’s conclusions or recommendations. Do not use direct quotations: rephrase in your own words. Don’t plagiarize. Do not use “I” or inject your own opinions. Do not evaluate the article; just condense what the author states. At the end of the summary, put the page numbers for the article in parentheses. Ex: (34-35) or (3) or (A1). Your period will follow these parentheses– (34-35). not .(34-35) Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Student Sample 1 “How to Survive the First Year,” by Kelly Green, appeared in the Wall Street Journal (June 9, 2003). Based on dozens of responses from people around the country, Kelly reports that the first year of retirement is often difficult for unexpected reasons. Disorientation was a common feeling among many of the responses. Kelly suggests different ways to ease the adjustment process, from shifting personal attitudes and outlooks to modifying spending habits and the construction of social networks. Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Student Sample 1 Sentence Summary: Kelly Green focuses on the problem of disorientation in the first year of retirement, then describes the adjustment retirees have made to solve the problem, including modification of personal attitudes and spending habits. Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Student Sample 2 In “Reshaping Retirement Scenarios and Options” (The Futurist, 2004), Moynach and Worsley performed a two year study called, “The Tomorrow Project,” in which they analyzed the changing conditions of retirement. Based on interviews, consultations, and focus groups, they formulate new approaches for structuring individual retirement plans and state pension programs that will better serve the people of Great Britain. Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Student Sample 2 Sentence Summary: “In the Tomorrow Project,” Moynagh and Worsley formulate new approaches for structuring individual retirement plans (The Futurist, 2004). Spurlock, Ann C. et al. Guide to Freshman Composition. 5th ed., Southlake, TX, Fountainhead Press, 2013. Mississippi State University

Templates to help with summarizing She advocates a radical revision of the juvenile justice system. She advocates a _______________. They celebrate the fact that ____________. _________, he admits. Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. “The Art of Summarizing.” They Say/ I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton &Amp; Company, New York, 2014, pp. 39–40.

Verbs for Introducing Summaries and Quotations Verbs for Making a Claim argue insist assert observe believe remind us claim report emphasize suggest Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. “The Art of Summarizing.” They Say/ I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton &Amp; Company, New York, 2014, pp. 39–40.

Verbs for Introducing Summaries and Quotations Verbs for Expressing Agreement acknowledge endorse admire extol agree praise celebrate the fact that reaffirm corroborate support do not deny verify Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. “The Art of Summarizing.” They Say/ I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton &Amp; Company, New York, 2014, pp. 39–40.

Verbs for Introducing Summaries and Quotations Verbs for Questioning or Disagreeing complain qualify complicate question contend refute contradict reject deny renounce deplore the tendency to repudiate Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. “The Art of Summarizing.” They Say/ I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton &Amp; Company, New York, 2014, pp. 39–40.

Verbs for Introducing Summaries and Quotations Verbs for Making Recommendations advocate implore call for plead demand recommend encourage urge exhort warn Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. “The Art of Summarizing.” They Say/ I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing, 3rd ed., W. W. Norton &Amp; Company, New York, 2014, pp. 39–40.

Assignment Go to http://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/23/opinion/don-t-blame-the- eater.html and print a copy of the article. Read the article several times and then on a piece of paper write down: The author’s name and title of the article The article’s thesis (main claim) List the author’s main points and then include a direct quote or paraphrase from the article to support the main point (making sure to list the paragraph number in parentheses afterwards.) Then type up and 1 paragraph summary of the article, making sure it is completely in your own words. At the end of the paragraph include the MLA citation for the article (use EasyBib—for a newspaper article printed online).