USEFUL PHRASES FOR SUMMARIES

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 448.

SAMPLE SUMMARY FORMAT

Author Tag: You need to start your summary by telling the name of the article and the author. Here are three examples of how to do that. Pay close attention to the punctuation:

1. In “How the Civil War Began," historian John Jones explains... 2. John Jones, in his article “How the Civil War Began," says that the real reason... 3. "How the Civil War Began," by historian John Jones, describes....

First Sentence of Summary: Along with including the author tag, the first sentence of the summary should be the main point of the article. It should answer the question: What is this essay about? (thesis). Example:

In "How the Civil War Began" by John Jones, the author argues that the real reason for the start of the Civil War was not slavery, as many believe, but instead the clash of cultures and greed for cash.

Rest of Summary: The rest of your summary is going to give the reasons and evidence for that main statement. In other words, what is the main point the writer is trying to make and what are the supporting ideas they use to prove their point? Does the author bring up any ideas they disagree with? How do they refute those ideas? Here is a sample sort of sentence.

The article/paper presents/deals with/ focuses on/ examines/ describes, etc.

The study/research aims to illustrate/ examines the role of/ explores why/ investigates the effects of/assesses the impact of…on…/ outlines how.. /examines the relationship b/n/ draws attention to/ provides an analysis and evaluation of …, etc.

Further investigations reveal, etc.

The author/writer/historian, etc. states/claims/argues/criticizes/describes/explains/says/persuades/suggests/ reminds/ helps us understand / creates the impression/ mentions/ points out/ concludes/ offers a two-part solution, etc.

The researchers state/claim /report, etc.

The reader is informed, etc.

We are told about/ read, etc.