How to Write a Summary
A summary is
a shorter version of the original. Such a simplification highlights the major
points from the much longer subject, such as a text, speech, film, or event. To
write a summary, use your own words to express briefly the main idea and
relevant details of the piece you have read. Your purpose in
writing the summary is to give the basic ideas of the original reading.
What was it about and what did the author want to communicate?
While reading the
original work, take note of what or who is the focus and ask the usual
questions that reporters use:
Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Using these questions to examine what you are
reading can help you to write the summary.
Sometimes, the
central idea of the piece is stated in the introduction or first paragraph, and
the supporting ideas of this central idea are presented one by one in the
following paragraphs. Always read the introductory paragraph thoughtfully and
look for a thesis statement. Finding the thesis statement is like finding
a key to a locked door. Frequently, however, the thesis, or central idea,
is implied or suggested. Thus, you will have to work harder to figure out
what the author wants readers to understand. Use any hints that may shed light
on the meaning of the piece: pay attention to the title and any headings and to
the opening and closing lines of paragraphs.
A
written summary starts with a lead, including title, author, text type, and the
main idea of the text. It has a clearly arranged structure and is paraphrased
with new words without quotations from the text. Unlike
a retelling, a summary is written in present tense or historical present. In summaries only indirect speech is used and depictions are avoided.
Here is a sample summary:
In the short story "The Secret Life of
Walter Mitty,"
author James Thurber humorously presents a character who fantasizes about
himself as a hero enduring incredibly challenging circumstances. In his real
life, Walter Mitty lives an ordinary, plain life; he is a husband under the
control of an overbearing, critical wife. Thurber uses lively dialogue to give readers an
understanding of Mitty's character. The story takes place over a period of
about twenty minutes; during this brief time, Mitty drives his wife to the
hairdresser and runs errands that his wife has given him while he waits for her. In between his
worrying that he is not doing what she wants him to do, he daydreams about
himself as a great surgeon, brilliant repair technician, expert marksman, and brave
military captain. This story shows that fantasy is often a good alternative to
reality.
Remember:
· Do not rewrite the original piece.
·
Keep your
summary short.
·
Use your own
wording.
· Refer to the central and main ideas of the original piece.
· Read with who, what, when, where, why and how questions in mind.
· Do not put in your opinion of the issue or topic discussed in the original
piece.
Word List on Summaries (fiction)
Introduction
(Title) is a novel by
(author).
(Title) was written by
(author).
The story is about (topic).
The novel tells the story of
(hero/topic).
(Title) tells of (hero), who
...
In (title) by (author), the
reader is taken
into (place/time of story).
(Title) is the story of
(hero/action/...)
(Title) is set in the period
of (event).
The text presents/describes…
Content
As the story begins, ...
During ...
While ...
As/When ...
Since/As ...
Just then ...
After ...
Before ...
Before long ...
Soon ...
Soon afterwards ...
As soon as ...
One day/evening ...
The following day ...
Some time later ...
Hours/Months/Years later, ....
By morning/the next day/the
time ...
Meanwhile ...
However, ...
Again/Once again ...
At this point ...
To his surprise ...
This incident is/was followed
by ...
To make matters even worse ...
Eventually,
.../Finally, ...
The author (narrator)
Says, states, points out that…
Claims, thinks, believes that…
Describes, explains, makes
clear that…
Criticizes, analyses, comments
on…
Tries to express…
Argues that…
Suggests that…
Compares X to Y…
Doubts that…
Tries to convince the readers
that…
Concludes that…
No comments:
Post a Comment