Writing a Summary Your First Chance

Just checking….. Who – Blue Oyster Cult and Bruce Dickinson, also – highlighting Gene Frenkle and his cowbell. What – Recording “Don’t Fear the Reaper” – cow bell highlight Where – Sunshine Studios When – August, 1976 Why – Addition of cow bell disrupts the band, creates a minor rift – yet they are able to come together in the end How – With the assistance of THE Bruce Dickinson, the band is able to come together

How To Write A Summary ENG 101

1. Read the passage carefully. Determine its structure. Identify the author’s purpose in writing. (This will help you to distinguish between more important and less important details.) Label above the title of the article.

2. Reread, label and underline This time divide the passage into sections or stages of thought (the author’s use of paragraphing will often be a useful guide.) Label, on the passage itself, each section or stage of thought. Underline/highlight key ideas and terms.

3. Write one-sentence summary. Be sure you include each stage of thought.

4. Write a thesis – a one sentence summary of the entire passage. The thesis should express the central idea of the passage, as you have determined it from the preceding steps. Note – in some cases a suitable thesis may already be in the original passage, if so, you may want to quote that!

5. Write the first draft of your summary Combine the thesis with the one-sentence summaries plus significant details from the passage. Eliminate repetition. Eliminate less important information. Disregard minor details, or generalize them. Use as few words as possible to convey the main ideas.

6. Check your summary against the original passage. Make whatever adjustments are necessary for accuracy and completeness.

7. Revise your summary. Insert transitional words and phrases where necessary to ensure coherence. Check for style You will want to ensure that you include: who, what, where, when, why, and how Avoid series of short, choppy sentences Combine sentences for a smooth, logical flow of ideas Check for grammatical correctness, punctuation and spelling

Finished? Hold on to your summary! We are going to add to it!

Summarizing, Paraphrasing and Quoting

First: When do we quote? When do we paraphrase? When do we summarize?

So, what is the difference? These three ways of incorporating other writers' work into your own writing differ according to the closeness of your writing to the source writing. Quotations must be identical to the original, using a narrow segment of the source. They must match the source document word for word and must be attributed to the original author. Paraphrasing involves putting a passage from source material into your own words. A paraphrase must also be attributed to the original source. Paraphrased material is usually shorter than the original passage, taking a somewhat broader segment of the source and condensing it slightly. Summarizing involves putting the main idea(s) into your own words, including only the main point(s). Once again, it is necessary to attribute summarized ideas to the original source. Summaries are significantly shorter than the original and take a broad overview of the source material.

When do we quote? As a review, writers use quotes sparingly and only with the following rules: When language is especially vivid or expressive. When exact wording is needed for technical accuracy. When the words of an important authority lend weight to an argument. Highlighting necessary bias or opposite opinions.

What is a paraphrase? Paraphrasing is when we borrow ideas, language, or phrases from another person’s text; we write these using our own language and sentence patterns.

What is a paraphrase? Paraphrasing a text (such as a movie, an article, a book chapter, or a song) helps the reader grasp the important parts without having to read the source. The writer is an expert in the content of that one source, and she talks the research to her reader.

Take a minute and talk to the person next to you about the questions below. Do not answer with “I don’t know”; instead, talk about what you think a writer does. It’s good to start with what we already know or assume: When do we paraphrase? How do we paraphrase? Can we switch words around? How do we cite our paraphrases? How is paraphrase different than quote?

If we switch words around we are O.K.. NO Here are some INCORRECT ASSUMPTIONS writers have had about paraphrasing. Compare your answer from your quick chat with what we have here: If we switch words around we are O.K.. NO If somebody did not “say it,” then they are my words. NO I have learned about the topic somewhere else; I don’t need to cite it. NO This comes from my own expertise. NO I don’t know what the article is about, but I switched the words around in this one part; they are my words. NO I don’t think we have to cite a paraphrase. We only cite quotes. NO

Why do we paraphrase? Paraphrasing allows the reader to trust the writer. We walk away from our reading informed, and we have confidence in the researcher because s/he knows her source materials. It is better than quoting information from an undistinguished passage. It helps you control the temptation to quote too much. The mental process required for successful paraphrasing helps you to grasp the full meaning of the original.

Why do we paraphrase? Paraphrase are used more than summaries and quotes because: Paraphrases give more detail than summary and allows more insight. Paraphrases prevent overreliance on quoting and shows an author’s careful consideration of the particular source. You ONLY quote in very specific instances! Remember: Your words should always be driving the work!

When it comes to paraphrases keep in mind . . . 1. Use only important information. 2. Paraphrasing is better than quoting too much. 3. We must use our own voice and words.

Three paraphrasing rules: 1. We are allowed to use common terms, such as the author’s name or topic. No quotation marks are necessary when we use these. 2. If we borrow any key words, we must put them in quotations. We must box in the source by introducing source first and then citing at the end.

Mirroring: The Most Common Paraphrasing Problem Mirroring occurs when the writer imitates the original sentence patterns and voice. Some writers have learned that as long as they replace the original text with their own language, then all is well. But, they are mistaken! When we paraphrase we are putting someone else’s information in our own sentence patterns. Not only must the wording be different, but the rhythm and pattern must also be our own. We think that we are paraphrasing when we are rearranging our source’s sentences while we keep their original sentence patterns, BUT WE ARE NOT.

Consider this: Original: Ask not what your country can do for you. But ask what you can do for your country. Incorrect Paraphrase: Don’t ask what your nation can give you; instead, consider what you are willing to do for your country. Notice the rhythm, the sentence pattern, and the sound are exactly the same. Notice also, although there are some word changes, the second example only mimics the first—it does NOT paraphrase the first. Correct Paraphrase: John Kennedy’s introduction stresses the importance of citizens becoming civically engaged in their country’s affairs.

Needs Parenthetical Documentation? How often should I use it? So, in the end . . . Quotation Marks? Needs Parenthetical Documentation? How often should I use it? Summarizing No Sometimes As Needed Paraphrasing Yes More Quoting Less Use a summary to describe the main points of an information source. Use paraphrasing to put the thoughts of the author into your own words. Use quotation marks if you are copying word for word.

Take out a blank piece of notebook paper and fold it in half!

For practice: Do you believe reality television has lowered the standards for television and society as a whole? Thesis (first sentence) One solid paragraph Write a short quote with an ellipses depicting a small omission responding to the prompt. Write a long quote with an ellipses depicting a large omission responding to the quote. 1 paraphrase 1 summary 3 lesson 2 vocab words (write neatly!) On the right side label all of your elements, identify the purpose of each of your quotes – which of the four options are you utilizing? Also write down on the right the definitions for the lesson 2 vocab words.