summary-response

IEPA 060 - Summary/Response

Summary-Response Writings

Throughout the term, you will write 3 summary-response papers on articles assigned by your teacher. Your papers should include a brief summary of the assigned article and a well-developed personal response on one idea/concept from the article. You should use at least one outside source to support your response to the article.

Directions:

Step 1: Active Reading of the Article

A. Read the article more than once and be sure you understand it.

B. Annotate the article.

Step 2: Writing your summary

Introduction: Write one well-developed paragraph to summarize the author’s main ideas. Begin the paragraph by introducing the author (i.e. first and last name) and the title of the article. Thereafter, paraphrase* the author’s thesis and key points expressed in the article. End with a thesis statement outlining what you will discuss in the response section of your paper.

*Please, be careful when you summarize- use your own words and grammatical structures to avoid plagiarism.

Step 3: Writing your response

Look at your annotations. Did you mark any places that you find interesting/confusing? What do you agree or disagree with? Do you agree with some of the characteristics that an author gives but disagree with others? Do you agree with one author’s ideas but not the other’s?

Once you decide on the topic of your response, find at least one outside academic source to support or develop your idea. You can also include personal examples to support your ideas.

Step 4: Conclusion

Summarize the main ideas of your response and end with a comment that leaves the reader thinking about your ideas.

Step 5: Revise & Edit

Carefully look for and correct content, organization, grammatical, mechanical, vocabulary and APA errors.

Format:

· 2-typed pages using 12-point standard font, double-spacing, and one-inch margins.

· Be sure to type your name, the date, and the assignment title at the top of the first page.

· APA reference page on a separate page. Don’t forget to include the assigned article on your reference page.

Due Dates:

Grading: Summary response writing is worth 25% of your final grade. Each paper is graded using the rubric below but is weighted differently towards your final grade:

· Summary Response #1: 5%

· Summary Response #2: 10%

· Summary Response #3: 10%

Grading Criteria:

1. Summary

· Accurately identifies the author’s main idea/thesis

· Explains important supporting ideas and not minor details

· Uses own words and sentence structures

2. Response

· Focuses on ONE specific topic that is logically connected to the source article

· Includes relevant supporting ideas/evidence to logically support their response

· Includes at least one outside academic source to support response

· Demonstrates independent thinking/critical thinking

3. APA

· Correctly uses in-text citations for all summaries, paraphrases and direct quotes

· Includes a correctly formatted reference page on a separate page

· Follows paper formatting rules (double spaced, 1-inch margins, etc)

4. Language

· Language errors do not cause comprehension problems

· Uses a variety of sentence structures

· Correctly uses academic vocabulary