1. How to Write an Excellent Summary
Bakersfield College
Jessica Wojtysiak
Spring 2017
How to Write an Excellent Summary

2. What is a summary?
A brief statement identifying the main points of a text. The goal is to give an accurate and objective representation of what the author or authors wrote.

3. Why Write a Summary
By writing an excellent summary, you are demonstrating:
Your mastery of the text
Your ability to discern the major points from the supporting details
Your use of precise language
Your ability to keep your opinion out of it

4. Introductory sentence Supporting details with transitions
Summary Format
Introductory sentence
Supporting details with transitions
Summation sentence
(pp in handout packet)

5. The First Sentence
In ________, ____________, __________________, (title) (Author) (Qualifications) ____________ (s) that __________________. (Action verb) (explanation of author’s thesis)

6. Why this first Sentence?
Identifies the author
Identifies the title of the work
Uses an active verb to catch the reader’s attention
Identifies the major theme/assertion/thesis/subject of the text.
It’s grammatically correct.

7. Ask yourself questions: Who? When? Where? What happened?
Supporting Details
Facts
Events
Explanation
Reasons
Outcomes
Ask yourself questions: Who? When? Where? What happened?

8. What are transition words?
Transitions
What are transition words?

9. Transitions Look at the two groups of sentences below.
Which sentences read more smoothly? Click on
an answer below.
My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. He has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year.
My friend, Marcos, loves to play sports and is very athletic. In fact, he has won a scholarship to play football at a university next year.

10. Transitions
A transition word directly tells the reader the logical relationship between one idea and another idea.
Transition
Idea
Idea

11. Example- Longer Piece of Writing
Transition connects ideas in paragraph 2 to ideas in paragraph 1.
Essay
Introduction
Body Paragraph 1
Transition connects ideas in paragraph 3 to ideas in paragraph 2.
Body Paragraph 2: In addition,
Body Paragraph 3: Furthermore,
Conclusion:

12. Marcos plays basketball he plays every Saturday.
Types of Transitions
Relationship
Transition
Reinforcement/Emphasis
Indeed
In fact
Marcos plays basketball
The transition and second clause reemphasize the first clause.
;in fact,
;indeed,
he plays every Saturday.

13. Marcos enjoys outdoor sports he likes hiking, skiing, and fishing.
Types of Transitions
Relationship
Transition
Exemplification
For example
For instance
In particular
Marcos enjoys outdoor sports
;for example,
;for instance,
;in particular,
The second clause is more specific than the first.
he likes hiking, skiing, and fishing.

14. Types of Transitions Relationship Transition ;thus, ;consequently,
Result or Effect
Consequently Accordingly
Thus Hence
Therefore As a result
;thus,
;consequently,
;therefore,
;hence,
;as a result,
;accordingly,
Marcos broke his leg
he can’t play basketball.

15. Transition words that provide a sequence
After
Before
Currently
Eventually
Finally
First,...Second,..., etc.
Formerly
Immediately

16. Transition words that provide a summary
Briefly
In brief
Overall
Summing up
To put it briefly
To sum up
To summarize

17. Choose the best transition
I love to write essays for school.  _____________, I really enjoy receiving large amounts of homework from my teachers.
Nevertheless In fact Due to

18. Choose the best transition
____________I promised to go to school today, I stayed home to watch television.
Currently Indeed Although

19. Choose the best transition
Polls show that the Beatles are the most popular singing group of this century. ________________ , there are country music fans who would disagree.
In particular However For instance

20. Closing Sentences Sums up the significance of the text
Example: Ultimately, the early chapters of True Notebooks provides insight into the mind and early experiences of the author as he awkwardly establishes his writing course.

21. Tone and Audience
Paraphrase the author (no direct quotations!)
No opinions (unless specifically asked)
Use summarizing language – “The author claims…” or “the chapter covers…”

22. Any Questions ?