Dear Reader, Follow the Path, What Is a Summary?

What is a summary?

• A personal opinion about a text

• A detailed analysis of a text

• A compilation of direct quotes from a text

• A concise statement of the central and main ideas of a text

A summary ...

• • is a brief statement of the main ideas from a text

• • is written in your own words (paraphrased)

• • should be accurate, complete, and objective

• All of the answers are correct!

What is the goal of summarizing?

• To articulate personal opinions in response to the reading

• To reiterate the author's ideas but do so so your summary is wordier and lengthier than the original

• To report the author's main ideas and minor details

• To articulate the author’s ideas and perspectives succintly

Besides being a tool to check your understanding of a text, why else do we summarize?

• • It helps you recall what you have read because you must understand it deeply enough to be able to express the same key ideas differently.

• • Summarizing is a type of academic writing and is used when writing about texts you have read in a variety of assignments across disciplines.

• • Summarizing is a skill you will use in your personal life and on the job when conveying key points to others.

• All of the answers are correct; summarizing is integral academic, personal, and professional skill.

Grace, Abigail, and Benjamin are in a study group together. After reading a chapter in their textbook, Grace summarizes the main points. Why is Grace summarizing the chapter?

• To see if she understands the details from the text

• To make her do busy work; there is no point

• To confirm that she can express her opinions about the text

• To check her understanding of the gist (author's purpose) of the text

What should you include in a summary? Mention just one or two things for you only have 20 characters!

What should you NOT include in a summary or what are the parts of a summary? Mention just one or two things for you only have 20 characters!

What is the most challenging aspect of summarizing for you? Be concise; mention just one or two things for you only have 20 characters!