Summary

A “rewritten, shortened version of a piece of writing in which you use your own words to express the main ideas” (Lee)

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.

Ex: In “Zen and the Art of Pomegranate Eating,” Will Brock tells the reader how to eat a pomegranate and explains the benefits of doing so.

· Identify the supporting points (in your own words); do not include the writer’s examples.

· In referring to the author’s supporting points, use author tags so your reader knows that the ideas are not yours; use at least four.

Ex: Says Brock; he also mentions; the author further asserts

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 ideas or examples

· Striking language or three+ words in a row: Quotes!

· Cite the page number at the end after the final period

Example Summary: Zen

In the article “Zen and the Art of Pomegranate Eating,” Will Brock explains both the techniques and the benefits of eating a pomegranate. He starts by telling the reader the tools required to open a pomegranate and giving him/her tips on how to choose the perfect pomegranate. After that, he gives very detailed instructions regarding how to open the pomegranate. Then he discusses two methods of eating the fruit: cramming all of the seeds into the mouth at once or patiently eating it “one grain at a time.” He suggests that it is best if chilled, and he warns the reader that pomegranate juice stains. He ends the article by suggesting that eating a pomegranate can be a very meditative, spiritual experience. (197—198)

Response

A focused response to the ideas the writer has presented

How To:

· Narrow to one subject and one treatment. (You may want to respond to the writer’s overall claim, or you may simply want to focus on one piece of it.)

· You can discuss how the ideas relate to you, or you can give your opinion regarding the author’s point

· State your focused subject and treatment in your topic sentence

· Provide your own examples and evidence

· Remember to include a concluding sentence

Creating the Complete Summary/Response

· Do not label the separate parts; do not add extra spaces between the paragraphs

· Create an original title for the entire piece; do not use the author’s title