- Summarizing a Text
This lesson teaches you how to summarize a paragraph and
gives you an exercise to check your summarizing skills.
- HOW TO WRITE A SUMMARY:
1. The first sentence of the first paragraph of your
summary should state the author's name, the title of the article
and the author's purpose in writing.
2. Use the present tense when writing about someone
else's work.
3. Write one sentence only for every idea that the
author has written.
First find the:
* main point - What is the most important thing that the
author wants the reader to know about the topic?
* ....then the supporting point(s) - What two or three
important facts does the author use to convince the reader
about the main idea? If the author gives contrasting ideas
(advantages and disadvantages of something, or comparing
points of view), make sure you write down important facts for
both points of view.
* ..... and then finally the conclusion
4. Use connectors (eg. because, although, in addition,
moreover) to help join the ideas together.
5. Check your spelling and grammar.
6. Now practise your summarizing skills: Go to the
Famous People Site (http://history1900s.about.
com/library/misc/blpeople.htm) and choose one famous figure
to read about. Make a short summary about this person.
7. Write your summary on a page and hand it in to your
teacher.
| © Ora Baumgarten 2008 Page last updated on 29/07/2008 |
Baumgartenet
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