Making a summary

• http://wrt-howard.syr.edu/Handouts/SumEss.html

• http://www.slideshare.net/andyfisher/essay-writing-10-golden-rules

• http://www.slideshare.net/Gail1945625/itispossibletoimproveyourgradesbyselfedit217

• http://www.essayzone.co.uk/blog/how-to-begin-a-new-paragraph-useful-linking-words-and-phrases/ - link words

Read the entire article.

Underline the main ideas, phrases, words.

Make a mind map.

DO provide:

the author's namethe title of the essay

at the beginning of your summary.

The article is about../ considers / suggests / argues / proposes

In this article the author speaks about..

The text is about…/ deals with

The article addresses the…(topic)

Ask yourself:

“What is the article trying to tell me?"

Identify the topic of the essay.

Identify the thesis of the essay.

The thesis of the essay is the main argument of the article stating something about the topic.

Look for the main arguments supporting the thesis or main claim of the essay.

Identify the main arguments in support of and/or against the thesis.

Provide a few examples mentioned in the essay pertaining to the main arguments.

Try to limit the number of your examples to at least one or two as maximum since you are simply summarizing the article.

Close your summary with a brief sentence about the essay's conclusion.

• Be direct to the point. Avoid writing down ideas and words that are not relevant to the essay.

• Use linking words.