The document provides guidance on writing summaries, including the steps to take and important considerations. It advises to reread the original text and divide it into the main points, write sentences summarizing each point, compose a thesis statement capturing the overall claim, and write the summary incorporating the points in order with transitions. Examples are given of logical relationships expressed through transitional words and phrases. Focus is advised on the argument, condensed presentation in one's own words, and objective reporting without judgment. Signal verbs are recommended to indicate who is saying what.

1. WRITING A
SUMMARY
The Art of Summarizing
an Argument
Information and Examples adapted from:
They Say / I Say by Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, and Russel Durst
“How to Write a Summary” <http://public.wsu.edu/~mejia/Summary.htm>
“How to Write a Summary”
<http://depts.washington.edu/owrc/Handouts/How%20to%20Write%20a%20Summary.pdf>
“Writing a Summary” <http://homepage.smc.edu/reading_lab/writing_a_summary.htm>

2. SUMMARIZING A TEXT
Frequently when you are writing an argument, you need to
discuss the current “conversation” going on about that topic. In
doing so, you might need to summarize others’ texts or points of
view. In other words, you need to summarize what “they say,” so
you can better establish what “you say.”
A good summary balances what the original author is saying with
the writer’s own focus.

3. STEPS FOR WRITING A SUMMARY
Reread the text.
Divide the text into
sections according to
each of its main points.
(Ignore minor details.)
Write down a sentence
that summarizes each
of the main points of
the text.
Write a thesis statement
that clearly communicates
what the entire text was
trying to achieve (the claim
of the text). This will
become the first sentence of
your summary.
Add each of the remaining
sentences you wrote about
the main points of the text
in the order in which they
appear.
Add transitions (words like
then, however, additionally)
that help with the structure
and flow. (See the next slide
for more information about
using transitions.)
Edit and revise what you
have written.
You might use the following format for your thesis:
In “<Title of the Piece>,” <Author> shows that <central idea of the piece>.

4. USE TRANSITIONS!
Transitions are words or phrases that help move
readers from thought to thought.
They are like road signs – reminding the reader
where they came from and where they are headed.
They provide cues so the reader can see the
connection between your ideas.
Transitions can be words, phrases, sentences, or
even entire paragraphs (in longer works).

5. COMMON TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSIONS
LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION
Similarity
again, also, and, and then, besides, finally, furthermore, in the same
way, just as, last, moreover, next … so too, too, likewise, similarly
Exception/Contrast
although, but, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, instead,
nevertheless, nonetheless, on the one hand … on the other hand,
nevertheless, nonetheless, notwithstanding, in contrast, on the
contrary, still, yet
Sequence/Order first, second, third, … next, then, finally
Time
after, afterward, as soon as, at last, at the same time, before, currently,
during, earlier, eventually, finally, immediately, later, meanwhile, next,
now, recently, simultaneously, so far, soon, subsequently, then,
thereafter
Example
for example, for instance, in fact, namely, specifically, such as, to
illustrate
Emphasis even, indeed, in fact, of course, truly
Place/Position above, adjacent, below, beyond, here, in front, in back, nearby, there
Cause and Effect
accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, hence, so, then,
therefore, thus
Additional Support or Evidence
additionally, again, also, and, as well, besides, equally important,
further, furthermore, in addition, moreover, then
Conclusion/Summary
as a result, as we have seen, finally, in a word, in any event, in brief,
briefly, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in the end, in the final
analysis, on the whole, therefore, thus, to conclude, to summarize, in
sum, to sum up, in summary

6. SUMMARY
EXAMPLE
In “Is Google Making Us Stupid?”, Nicholas Carr argues
that the Internet is altering our ability to think, that it is
“chipping away [our] capacity for concentration and
contemplation” (315). Carr observes that the longer he has used
the Web, the harder it has become to focus on long pieces of
writing. Using scientific evidence on brain research as well as
historical examples, Carr notes how our brains take on the
qualities of our intellectual technologies. He suggests, therefore,
that as a result of our current Internet technology, our brains
have become scattered and diffused. Carr goes on to illustrate how
society constantly pushes for greater efficiency and asserts that
the Web is a form of cognitive efficiency. However, he ultimately
concludes that treating brain function as a mechanical process is
a frightening endeavor – one that might benefit the computer
industry but ultimately harm mankind.

7. FOR WRITING A SUMMARY

8. FOCUS ON THE ARGUMENT
Identify your source and author the first
time you mention the article.
Focus on the claim and the supporting
reasons. Do not include minor detail.
The summary should be a condensed
version of the material, presented in
your own words.
Think about how much time the author
focuses on a topic. Spend more time on
the ideas that the author spends more
time on.
Discuss ideas in the order they appear
in the original source.

9. STAY
FOCUSED ON
YOUR
PURPOSE
• Your goal is to describe the article to your reader.
• Paraphrase when writing a summary. The summary
should primarily be in your own words, not the author’s. If
you must use the exact words of the author, put them in
quotation marks and cite the page numbers in
parenthetical citations.
Ex: The author claims that technology is the “fuel of
humanity” (101).
• Do not try to repeat or paraphrase everything in the
article.
• If the author uses charts, graphs, or a specific type of
evidence, you might mention this in your summary to
illustrate how the author proves their point.
• Stay focused on what is in the article, not on the general
topic itself.

10. REMAIN OBJECTIVE.
• Do not include a judgement of the article. Remain neutral and just report what is in
the article.
• Write in present tense. When you write in present tense, your audience feels like the
information is more immediate and relevant.
• Remind your reader that this is not your own work. Use signal phrases such as the
article claims and the author suggests. (See the next slide for a list of signal verbs.)

11. USE SIGNAL VERBS THAT FIT THE ACTION
Signal verbs indicate who is saying what. In general choose a strong signal phrase than “he
says” or “she believes.”
Making a Claim: argue assert believe claim emphasize insist observe
remind us report suggest
Expressing Agreement: acknowledge admire agree endorse extol praise
celebrate the fact that corroborate do not deny reaffirm
support verify
Questioning or Disagreeing: complain complicate contend contradict deny
deplore the tendency to qualify question refute reject
renounce repudiate
Making Recommendations: advocate call for demand encourage exhort implore
plead recommend urge warn