summary
jo_12
Comp1and2ACADEMICSUMMARIESReportingVerbsandSignalWordsExample.-4.docxACADEMIC SUMMARIES
Writing a summary can be a useful reading and writing tool which can show you (and your teacher) how well you understood a particular reading. They can also be a short, concise reference that you can come back to at a later date, to review important ideas or when you’re ready to begin writing an essay on a similar topic.
Because of this, we will practice summary writing throughout the semester. Follow these helpful tips (below).
TIPS:
1. Identify the source immediately: author and title + use reporting language
Example: In “Our Egalitarian Eden,” by Elizabeth Pennisi, the author informs readers about…
2. State the main idea (MI) in the first sentence of your summary.
3. Include the most important supporting details ONLY in order to help a reader who hasn’t read the article have a clear idea of the writer’s point and the evidence the writer has given to prove the main idea.
4. End with a clear, concluding sentence which summarizes and comes back to the main idea of the article
5. Use reporting language throughout the summary
6. Use your own words (don’t quote)
7. Include only the author’s ideas (not your own opinion)
8. Be sure to check your grammar (NOTE: Reporting verbs should be written in the simple present tense)
9. Be concise; an effective summary can GENERALLY be written in 1-2 paragraphs or less.
SUMMARY CHECKLIST
Has the writer accurately included the author’s name, title and MI in the first sentence of the summary?
Has the writer only included the MOST IMPORTANT supporting ideas in the summary?
Has the writer included a concluding sentence?
Has the writer used reporting language and correct grammar throughout the summary?
Has the writer used their own words and not included their opinion?
Reporting Verbs and Signal phrases:
Use the following verbs to introduce and discuss the ideas you want to integrate into your own writing.
1. VERBS THAT INTRODUCE A QUOTATION OR PARAPHRASE INFORMATION
· In his/her article “ .” [the author] reports on + noun phrase
examines + noun phrase proposes + noun phrase discusses + noun phrase
points out + noun phrase or noun clause
states + noun clause
says + noun clause
explains that / how/ why + noun clause
discusses + noun phrase or + how/why + noun clause
concludes that + noun phrase
2. VERBS THAT TELL THE READER THE SOURCE IS PRESENTING AN OPINION FOLLOWED BY REASONING
argues that + noun clause believes that + noun clause maintains that + noun clause
3. VERBS THAT TELL THE READER THAT THE SOURCE IS GIVING AN OPINION OR PRESENTING A FACT THAT COULD BE DISPUTED
asserts that + noun clause
claims that + noun clause
4. VERBS THAT EXPRESS AGREEMENT OR DISAGREEMENT AMONG SOURCES
disputes + noun phrase
ex: She disputed his assertion.
disagrees that + noun clause
disagrees, pointing out that + noun clause
acknowledges that + noun clause
agrees that + noun clause
agrees, adding + noun clause
** If you use the reporting signal “According to , this must be followed by a complete clause Ex: According to Pennisi, [societies have lived cooperatively for most of human history]; it is only recently that life has become competitive and oriented to the individual.
