Summarizing a Reading

How To:

· Identify author (full name)

· Identify title (in quotation marks)

· Identify main idea (in your own words)

*The above three should all appear in one sentence.

· Identify the supporting points (in your own words)

*When referring to the supporting points, use author tags so your reader knows that the ideas are not yours

(says Davis; she also notes; the author further states)

· Cite page number in parentheses after final period

Rules:

· Respect the author’s original order

· Change the original wording and sentence structure without changing the idea

· Do not give an opinion, use “I,” or add anything

· If you use any of the author’s words, the rule is as follows:

1. For three words or more, put them in quotes

2. For striking language, put it in quotes