An academic summary should state the author and title early, summarize key ideas rather than specific events, use author tags to attribute ideas, remain objective, be written in the writer's own words except for brief necessary quotes, and introduce and analyze any quotes used. The document provides tips for writing academic summaries attributed to Dr. Zerwin of Fairview High.

1. 
Principles of an Academic Summary
Thanks to Dr. Zerwin of Fairview High for these tips!

2. An academic summary should:
 Summarize key ideas, as opposed
to specific events

3. An academic summary should:
 State the name of the author and
the title of his/her work early in
the summary.

4. An academic summary should:
 Use author tags throughout to
clearly establish that you are
referring to the author’s ideas (as
opposed to your own.
 Example: “McCarthy suggests
that…” or “Botstein argues that…”
or “According to Nehrenberg…”

5. An academic summary should:
 Remain objective throughout.

6. An academic summary should:
 Be written in your own words
(except for example given on next
slide!)

7. An academic summary should:
 Use brief quotes, where
appropriate (a well-stated phrase
that refers to the text’s main
point, key words or phrases that
you might refer to frequently).
 Don’t just drop in a quote – be
sure to introduce and analyze!