Module 5: Use and Cite Information Correctly, Learn to Summarize (1 page 1) what's this?
| Learn about Plagiarism | Decide when to Quote | Learn to Paraphrase | Learn to Summarize | Find Additional Resources | Use APA or MLA Style |
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In
this section of module five, we'll be looking at how to summarize. A
summary is a condensed version of a passage. Similar to
paraphrasing, summarizing involves using your own words and writing
style to express another author's ideas. Unlike the paraphrase,
which presents important details, the summary presents only the most
important ideas of the passage. |
When do I Summarize?
Summarize a passage when you simply want to give your readers a brief
overview of a text.
How do I Summarize?
When
summarizing, follow the guidelines listed below:
* Include only the main points of the original passage
* Do not worry about following the original order of ideas.
* Keep
the length down to no more than half the length of the original.
Writing a
summary essentially takes four steps:
1. Identify the main points of the passage. In some paragraphs, the
main idea is expressed in the topic sentence, yet in others, it may not
be explicitly stated at all. Additionally, a passage may contain one or
more
points that are vital to its meaning. These elements must be mentioned
in your summary. However, you will not include all the
details, as you do in a paraphrase. Instead, only choose the most
important.
2. Organize and present these main points in a coherent way. Be
careful not to use the author's words or to follow the sentence structure
of the original passage.
3. Make sure that you are faithful to the meaning of the source and
that you have accurately represented the main ideas.
4. Cite appropriately and integrate the summary into the text effectively.
Want to see an example of summarized material? Click here. (Close the window to return to this page.)
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Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center, the University of Houston-Victoria, and
Summer Leibensperger.
Created 2003 by Summer Leibensperger.
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