9-1-15 understand what a summary is understand the reasons for summarizing understand how to write a...
TRANSCRIPT
9-1-15
•Understand what a summary is
•Understand the reasons for summarizing
•Understand how to write a summary
Goals:
Writing a Summary
What IS a summary?
• Brief version of the original text
• Includes key points, but not details
• Depth of summary depends on purpose
6-page article
1-page summary
1-paragraph summary
1-sentence summary
Why summarize?
• To help explain a complex idea
• To provide support for a claim
A: Who do you like in the election?B: I think I’m leaning toward Candidate X.A: Why?B: Well, X has some good ideas.A: Really? Like what?B: Well, let me tell you about a speech X gave last week…
(text of one-hour speech)
(five-minute summary)
Why summarize?
• To help explain a complex idea
• To provide support for a claim
You are to brief the board on the potential costs and benefits of acquiring Company Z. You have five minutes in which to give your presentation.
Company ZFinancialReport Competitors’
FinancialReports
Market Analysis A
Market Analysis B
Market Analysis C
Other Relevant Documents / Reports
Why summarize?
• To help explain a complex idea
• To provide support for a claim
You’ll need to summarize lots of different documents, then use that information—compare, contrast, synthesize—to create your presentation.
Company ZFinancialReport Competitors’
FinancialReports
Market Analysis A
Market Analysis B
Market Analysis C
Other Relevant Documents / Reports
Why summarize?
• To help explain a complex idea
• To provide support for a claim
Paper 5: Write a paper of at least 1200 words in which you explain what "the experts" are saying about a topic that is currently in the news and is open to multiple interpretations. Cite at least six published sources.
Summaries:Final Paper
How to summarize?Step 1: Read & annotate the text
Look for indicators of KEY IDEAS:• Title• Subheadings• Bold, italics, colors• Tables, charts, images• Anything that highlights text• First & last paragraphs
Other clues:• Blank space (change of idea)• Repetition (key word/phrase)• Stories, examples (What’s the point?)
Then what?
• Highlight• Circle or underline• Write notes in margins
Notice the title.Notice the length: only 5 paragraphs. (Your summary will require only a few lines.)
Notice the caption under the image. (It’s also the first line of the article.)
Notice the information about the author.Look for a thesis.Read the first line of each body paragraph.
How to summarize?Step 2: Use annotated material to create new text
Separate MAIN IDEA(S) from SUPPORTING MATERIAL.
For a paragraph, lead with the main idea.
Follow up with supporting material in a logical order.
Use remaining class time to annotate “Flame and Filament,” then begin writing your one-paragraph summary.
For next time, bring your textbook and your summary to class. Be ready to read your summary aloud.