Writing a Summary

Writing a SummaryA summary is also referred to as an abstract in which you reduce material in an original work to its main points and key supporting detail. Unlike an outline, however, a summary does not use symbols such as I, A, 1, 2, etc., to indicate the relations among parts of the original material.A summary may consist of a single word, a phrase, several sentences, or one or more paragraphs. The length of any summary you prepare will depend on your instructor‟s expectations and the length of the original work. Most often, you will be asked to write a summary consisting of one or more paragraphs.Writing a summary brings together a number of important reading, study, and writing skills. To condense the original assigned material, you must preview, read, evaluate, organize, and perhaps outline it. Summarizing, then, can be a real aid to understanding; you must “get inside‟ the material and realize fully what is being said before you can reduce its meaning to a few words.How to Summarize an ArticleTo write a summary of an article, follow the steps described below. If the assigned material isa TV show or film or a radio program, adapt the suggestions accordingly.1.Take a few minutes to preview the work. You can preview an article in a magazine by taking aquick look at the following:1)Title. A title often summarizes what an article is about. Think about the title for a minute,and about how it may condense the meaning of the article.2)Subtitle. A subtitle, if given, is a short summary appearing under or next to the title. Forexample, in a Newsweek article titled “Growing Old, Feeling Young,”the following caption appeared: “Not only are Americans living longer, they are staying active longer --- and their worst enemy is not nature, but the myths and prejudices about growing old.‟In short, the subtitle, the caption, or any other words in large print under or next to the title often provide a quick insight into the meaning of an article.3)First and last several paragraphs. In the first several paragraphs, the author mayintroduce you to the subject and state the purpose of the article. In the last several paragraphs, the writer may present conclusions or a summary. The previews or summaries can give you a quick overview of what the entire article is about.4)Other items. Note any heads or subheads that appear in the article. They often provideclues to the article‟s main points and give an immediate sense of what each section is about. Look carefully at any pictures, charts, or diagrams that accompany the article.Page space in a magazine or journal is limited, and such visual aids are generally used only to illustrate important points in the article. Note any words or phrases set off in italic type or boldface type; such words have probably been emphasized because they deal with important points in the article.2.Read the article for all you can understand the first time through. Do not slow down or turnback. Check or otherwise mark main points and key supporting details. Pay special attention to all the items noted in the preview. Also, look for definitions, examples, and enumerations (lists of items, which often indicate key ideas. You can also identify important points byturning any heads into questions and reading to find the answers to the questions.3.Go back and reread more carefully the areas you have identified as most important. Also,focus on other key pints you may have missed in your first reading.4.Take notes on the material. Concentrate on getting down the main ideas and the keysupporting points.5.Prepare the first draft of your summary, keeping these points in mind:1)Identify at the start of your summary the title and author of the work. Include inparentheses the date of publication. For example, “In …Leaking with a Vengeance‟ (Time, October 13, 2003), Michael Duffy states ….”2)Do not write an overly detailed summary. Remember that the purpose of a summary is toreduce the original work to its main points and essential supporting details.3)Express the main points and key supporting details in your own words. Do not imitatethe style of the original work.4)Quote from the material only to illustrate key points. Also, limit your quotations. Aone-paragraph summary should not contain more than one or two quoted sentences.5)Preserve the balance and proportion of the original work. If the original devoted 70percent of its space to one idea and only 30 percent to another, your summary should reflect that emphasis.6)Revise your first draft, paying attention to the principles of effective writing (unity,support, coherence, and clear, error-free sentences).7)Write the final draft of the paper. Summaries can vary in length from a single sentence tomany pages, depending on the length of the text being summarized. It is often 1/3 or 1/4 of the original text.The first sentence of a summaryYou are expected to identify the title of the text and the author in the first sentence, as well as the author‟s thesis or controlling idea. A general format for the first sentence is as follows:In the article {“title of Article,”}, {Author’s name} + {primary verb} + {main idea}.Example: In the article “How Children Fail,” John Holt argues that most children fail because they do not develop their full potential.The most commonly used primary verbs include:1. claim2. recommend3. argue4. report5. show6. insist7. explain8. describe9. suggest 10. believeRemember that all sentences should be stated in YOUR OWN WORDS. If you must use a sentence or phrase from the original text, make sure to put it within quotation marks.The characteristics of a good summaryA good summary is concise, focusing on the main ideas, and leaving out much of the supporting and explanatory details of the original text. A good summary is also complete, covering all of the important ideas found in the primary text. Moreover, a summary should be objective:the goal should be to cover the text fairly, without adding one's own opinions or perspectives. Furthermore, a good summary is coherent: it contains necessary transitions and function structures to make it flow as a unified passage.Here is another model summary of a magazine article:。

英语总结怎么写Writing a Summary in EnglishWriting a summary in English can be quite challenging for non-native speakers. A well-written summary is concise, clear, and provides a brief overview of the main points of a text. In this article, we will explore the step-by-step process of how to write an effective summary in English.1. Understand the TextBefore you start writing a summary, it is essential to thoroughly read and comprehend the text. Take the time to understand the main ideas, arguments, and supporting details. Highlight or jot down key points to refer back to later.2. Identify the Main PointsOnce you have a good understanding of the text, identify the main points or central ideas. These are the crucial pieces of information that capture the essence of the text. Look for topic sentences, headings, or repetitive phrases that indicate important information.3. Remove Unnecessary DetailsSummaries are meant to be brief and to the point. Eliminate any unnecessary details, examples, or anecdotes that do not contribute to the main ideas. Focus on the most important information that supports the author's arguments or conclusions.4. Paraphrase and Use Your Own WordsWhen writing a summary, it is important to use your own words and avoid direct quotations from the original text. Paraphrase the information using different sentence structures and vocabulary. This not only demonstrates your understanding of the text but also strengthens your grasp of the English language.5. Write in a Logical OrderOrganize the main points in a logical order to ensure that your summary flows smoothly. Consider using connectors such as "firstly," "secondly," or "in addition" to provide a clear structure. This helps the reader follow your train of thought and makes your summary more coherent.6. Be Objective and NeutralA good summary should be objective and neutral. Avoid inserting your own opinions, biases, or interpretations into the summary. Stick to the facts and information presentedin the original text and present them accurately.7. Check for Accuracy and ClarityOnce you have written your summary, take the time to review it for accuracy and clarity. Ensure that the main ideas are clearly communicated and that there are no grammatical or spelling errors. Consider sharing your summary with a native English speaker for feedback if possible.8. Use Appropriate LengthA summary should be concise and focused. Aim to present the main ideas in about one-third to one-fourth of the original text's length. However, there is no strict rule regarding length, and it may vary depending on the complexity and length of the original text.9. Do Not Include Personal Examples or ExperiencesAvoid including personal examples or experiences in your summary. Stick to the information provided in the original text and maintain a professional tone throughout your writing.10. Practice Makes PerfectWriting a good summary takes practice. Take the opportunity to read various articles and practice summarizing them. Aim to summarize different types of texts, such as news articles, academic papers, or opinion pieces, to develop a versatile skillset.In conclusion, writing a summary in English requires a solid understanding of the text, the ability to identify the main points, and the skill to present the information concisely and accurately. By following these steps, practicing regularly, and seeking feedback, you can improve your summary writing skills and effectively convey the main ideas of a text in English.。

英文summary作文万能模板Title: The Universal Template for Writing an English Summary Essay。

Writing a summary essay in English can be a challenging task, especially if you are not familiar with the proper structure and format. However, with the right template and guidance, you can easily master the art of summarizing a text in a clear and concise manner. In this article, wewill provide you with a universal template for writing an English summary essay, along with some helpful tips and examples to help you get started.Introduction。

The introduction of your summary essay should provide some background information about the text you are summarizing. Start by introducing the author and the title of the text, and provide a brief overview of the main topic or theme. You should also include a thesis statement thatclearly states the main point or argument of the text.Body Paragraphs。

英语总结指导思想怎么写Guiding Thoughts on Writing an English SummaryWriting a summary in English can be a challenging task, especially when you need to convey complex ideas or extensive information in a concise manner. To effectively summarize a text and capture its main points, it is important to follow a set of guiding thoughts. This guide aims to provide some tips and strategies for writing a comprehensive and concise English summary.1. Understanding the Text:The first step in writing a summary is to thoroughly understand the text you are summarizing. Read the text multiple times, paying attention to key ideas, arguments, and supporting details. Highlight or take notes on important points or phrases that you want to include in your summary.2. Identify the Main Idea:Once you have a grasp of the entire text, identify the main idea or central message that the author is trying to convey. This main idea should be the focus of your summary, and all other points you include should support or relate to it in some way.3. Determine the Structure:Consider the overall structure of the text. Is it a narrative, an argumentative piece, or a description? Understanding the structure will help you organize your summary in a logical and cohesive manner. If the text has clear sections or subheadings, use them as a framework for your summary.4. Outline the Summary:Before diving into writing the actual summary, create an outline that highlights the main points you want to include. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure that you cover all the important aspects of the text. A well-structured outline also facilitates a smooth flow in your summary.5. Use Your Own Words:When writing a summary, it is crucial to use your own words to express the author's ideas. Paraphrase the main points and supporting details instead of directly copying sentences from the original text. This demonstrates your understanding of the material and allows you to showcase your own writing skills.6. Be Clear and Concise:While summarizing, strive for clarity and conciseness. Use clear and simple language to convey your thoughts effectively. Avoid unnecessary repetitions or wordiness. Remember, a good summary presents the main ideas without getting into excessive details.7. Include Relevant Examples or Evidence:To strengthen your summary, consider including examples or evidence from the original text. These could be quotes, statistics, or anecdotes that support the main points you are highlighting. However, make sure that your examples are concise and directly related to the main idea.8. Revise and Edit:After writing the summary, take the time to revise and edit your work. Check for any grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, orinconsistencies in your summary. Ensure that your summary accurately represents the key points of the original text and flows smoothly.In conclusion, writing an effective English summary requires careful reading, analysis, and clear expression of the main points. By following these guiding thoughts, you can create a well-structured and concise summary that effectively conveys the essence of the original text. Practice is key to improving your summarizing skills, so continue summarizing different texts to further develop your abilities.。