Writing a Summary Paragraph

Reading and Planning

Read and outline main points of
source

Does it contain an argument or opinion?

Is it only intended to be informative?

What are the main supporting points?

(Think PEE)

What are the main pieces of

information?

Writing
1. Begin your paragraph by introducing your source, using these basic
elements:
TITLE, AUTHOR, VERB, THESIS
Make sure your verbs are in present tense
Example: In the feature article "Four Kinds of Reading," the author, Donald Hall,
explains his opinion about different types of reading.
ARTICLE:
In his/her article (or lecture) "________________________,
_____________________
(title, first letter capitalized)
(authors
last name) argues/claims/reports/contends/maintains/states that
_____________________________________.
(main
idea/argument)
Example: In his article "Michael Dell turns the PC world inside out," Andrew E.
Serwer describes how Michael Dell founded Dell Computers and claims that Dells
low-cost, direct-sales strategy and high quality standards account for Dells
enormous success.
BOOK:
In his book The Pearl, John Steinbeck (1945) illustrates the fight between good and
evil in humankind.

INTERVIEW:
In my interview with him/her (date), __________________(first name, last name) stated
that ....

Other Formulae

According to ___________________ (year), ________________________________________.

(author's last name)
(main idea)
___________'s article on ______________ discusses ____________________.
(author's last name)
(topic)
(main idea)
___________, in his/her article, "________________" argues that ________________.
author's last name)
(title of article)
(main
idea)
According to "Title of the Article", ____________________________________________.
(main idea)

2. Next, cover the main points/arguments of the source. Each point should
be summarized (paraphrased) in one or two sentences.
Writing Rules and Tips:

Never put any of your own ideas, opinions, or interpretations into the summary.
This means you have to be very careful of your word choice.

Write using "summarizing language." Periodically remind your reader that this is
a summary by using phrases such as the article claims, the author suggests, etc.

Avoid unnecessary words

o This chapter discussed
o I am going to tell you about

Let the author speak. Keep yourself out of it. Dont say anything like this:
o To me, the most interesting
o I was surprised to learn that
Statements like these indicate a personal RESPONSE. They do not belong in a
SUMMARY.

ARGUMENT

Verb Bank
NEUTRAL

argues
claims
contends
maintains
insists
posits
criticizes
suggests
refutes the claim
argues against

states
reports
explains
discusses
illustrates
observe

Outline
Title: __________________________________________________________
Author: ________________________________________________________
Main Idea or Subject:
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Main Points
1. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
__
2. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
__
3. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
__
4. _________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
__