This document provides guidance on writing summaries for academic purposes. It defines what a summary is and explains that a summary should be brief, include only the main ideas of the original text in the author's words, and leave out minor details and opinions. The document lists various types of academic writing that typically include summaries, such as critique papers, research papers, and literature reviews. It also explains that writing summaries helps with understanding and discussing what one has read. Guidelines are provided for how to read critically and take notes in order to accurately summarize a text.

1. Summary Chapter 1

2. What is a summary? A brief restatement, in your own words, of the content of a passage. The key is to focus on the central idea.

3. Write a brief summary for the following image:

4. A summary requires Interpretation Write a summary of the following image:

5. Guidelines for writing a summary for a longer passage: Include all of the main points. The main points will reflect the order and emphasis given to them by the original author. It may include important examples It will not include minor details It will not repeat points It will not contain your opinions or conclusions

6. A good summary will include the following: Brevity Completeness Objectivity

7. What does the following image represent?

8. Objectivity? Prior knowledge Frame of reference Make a conscious, good-faith effort to be objective.

9. Where do we find summaries in academic writing and real life? Critique papers Synthesis papers Analysis papers Research papers Literature reviews Argument papers Essay exams Policy briefs Business plans Memos, letters, and reports Medical charts Legal briefs

10. Purpose of a Summary Help you understand what you have read Summaries are useful to your readers Summaries are frequently required in college-level writing

11. The Reading Process Summaries require you to read carefully and allow you to make accurate and coherent discussions that go beyond the summary.

12. Critical Reading Notes

13. Is this what Kant is really saying?

14. Examine the Context Credentials, occupation, and publications of the author. Identify the source in which the piece originally appeared.

15. Note the title and subtitle They reveal the author’s attitude toward the subject.

16. Indentify the main point

17. Identify the subordinate points

18. Break the reading into sections

19. Distinguish between points, examples, and counterarguments Note what and how authors make arguments

20. Watch for transitions within and between paragraphs Road signs of logic

21. Read actively and recursively Engage in a dialogue with the author

22. Exercise Chapter 6, read Solomon A. Asch’s article “Opinions and Social Pressure” ( pages 206-211). Follow the steps for writing summaries—read , underline, divide into stages of thought—write 1-2 sentence summaries of each stage. Form groups—write a one or two sentence thesis statement summing up the entire passage and write a brief summary of Asch’s article, modeled upon the brief summary of Graham’s essay on page 18.

23. Guidelines for Writing Summaries Freezing at St. Michaels

24. Read the passage carefully

25. Reread.

26. Write one-sentence summaries ~ Drip - "?" ~ Catching this droplet on a tiny rose leaf was so important, but only for a moment.

27. Write a thesis– a one or two sentence summary

28. Write the first draft of your summary

29. Check your summary against the original passage

30. Revise your Summary