To better understand the author's ideas, you might summarize an article.An overview of the author's thesis, purpose, and main ideas is provided in an article summary.Before you start your summary, make notes in the margins of the article.Write a first draft that summarizes the article.Make revisions to your article after receiving feedback.
Step 1: Take the time to review your assignment sheet.
You need to read the assignment sheet twice to understand it.What you need to do to get full credit should be highlighted.If you have questions, ask your instructor to clarify.
Step 2: The main points should be identified using the article.
Scan the article to get an idea of what it contains and how it is structured.Look for headings and subheadings.Try to find the thesis, main points, and conclusions.The thesis, research question, or purpose can be highlighted.The supporting points should be marked.The section headings should be highlighted.If there is a method of study, note it.The findings, conclusions, or results should be highlighted.
Step 3: If you don't understand the article, read it twice.
As you read the article, slow down and absorb the information.Write down any questions you have in the margins.Try to find the answers to your questions on your second reading.If you want to write notes and summaries, read the article a third time.If you can, read it aloud and use it to process the information.You can get a better understanding of the ideas if you read the article several times.It is hard to fully understand an article on a first reading.
Step 4: Notes can be written in the margins.
Think about what the author means in the passage.Write out your thoughts in the margins of the article.You should use your own words.Don't just change the words in the article.It is okay to write short phrases and fragments.
Step 5: Each section of the article should be summarized in one sentence.
Stop and think about what the author is saying when you read the rest of the article.The main point and the supporting points for that section should be identified.The points should be summarized in 1 sentence.Near the section, write your summary in the margins.You could write, "Lopez asserts that homework helps students retain more knowledge based on exam scores and self-reporting."
Step 6: The introduction should begin with an overview of the author and the article.
Tell the reader who wrote the article.Explain what the article is about and why it is important.You might say, "Inez Lopez is a former high school teacher who now teaches curriculum planning as a researching professor."Students benefit from regular homework assignments according to her article.Lopez distinguishes between effective homework and busywork, which helps teachers change their lessons for the better.
Step 7: The introduction should include your thesis about the main ideas of the article.
In your introduction, write your thesis as the last sentence.The original author's thesis, hypothesis, or research question should be the focus of your thesis.Don't include any of your own ideas when you state their core ideas.You would write, "Lopez argues homework is necessary to support in-class instruction because students retain more information, the class covers more curriculum, and students get more one-on-one attention in class."
Step 8: A short summary is needed for each main point.
You wrote a summary in the margins.Write a sentence that summarizes what the author is saying after removing the main point from that section.This should be done for each section of the article.A summary is 1 page or less.A summary consists of 1 long paragraph or an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion.According to Lopez, students who complete homework for their core classes perform better academically.
Step 9: For a longer summary, discuss each point in the body paragraph.
A summary that is longer than a page is what you will typically write for a long article.In this case, you will write a body paragraph for each point.The summary should be in the first 1-2 sentences of the paragraph.It is considered a longer summary if it is more than 1 page.In her study, Lopez compared two different classrooms at the same high school, one with homework and one that didn't.Lopez claims that students who completed homework did better academically.
Step 10: Supporting examples are provided for each of the main points.
The author gave examples to back up their ideas.Supporting examples for each idea are identified.For a short summary or a longer summary, give them in 1-2 sentences.To support her claims, Lopez explains that students who did their homework scored 40% higher on exams, participated in class at a higher rate, and completed academic units 30% faster than classes that didn't do homework.
Step 11: Tell the author's research methods.
The author used the research methods to conduct their study.Tell us about the research design, the process, and how the results were measured.If the research involved people, identify them and what they had to do.Specific about how the author got their data.In her research, Lopez studied two classes at the same high school.Both classes received the same academic support and demographic makeup.The control classroom did not receive homework.The homework completion rate, assignment scores, class participation, and progress were tracked by Lopez.She conducted short student surveys after exams.
Step 12: If the article is about research, describe the results and conclusions.
The data or information the author learned through their research is included in the results.Explain the results of the research and the analysis provided by the author.Explain the author's call to action if there is one.Lopez collected data such as student scores, number of incidences of class participation, and rate of lesson progression.She asked students to rate their confidence, understanding of the material, and readiness to move on to the next unit on a survey after each exam.Lopez found that students progress as much as 30% faster if they complete their daily homework assignments.Lopez wants teachers in core subjects to assign homework every night.
Step 13: The thesis should be restated in your summary.
For your summary, write a short conclusion.The thesis you provided at the end of your introduction should be restated in the first sentence.The author's ideas are important or meaningful in their field.According to Lopez, students are able to retain information and progress quickly if they are required to do homework.Her work gives teachers a tool to promote academic success and advice on how to use homework effectively.
Step 14: The summary must be 1/3 of the article.
While still conveying the ideas in the article, you want your summary to be short and concise.The length of the original article should be compared with your summary.The summary should be cut down if it is longer than 1/3 of the article.If your summary is too short, add more detail.It is not necessary for your summary to be exact in length.It should be sufficient if it is 1/3 of the article.
Step 15: The author tags should be used to attribute the ideas to the original author.
The author tags remind the reader that the ideas are from the original author.This will help you avoid plagiarizing the author's ideas.An author tag is used to show that the idea is of the original author."Lopez believes,Lopez finds that, andLopez argues."It is okay to use pronouns.You could say, "She goes on to say," or "she refutes this idea."
Step 16: Direct quotations aren't in your words, so avoid using them.
The article ideas are presented in your own words in the summary.Direct quotes aren't summaries.All of the ideas should be rephrased in your own words.
Step 17: Request someone to read your paper and give feedback.
You should give your paper to someone you trust.Ask them to look for passages that need improvement.This feedback can be used to improve your paper.Ask your classmates, writing tutor, or teacher to give you feedback.
Step 18: The assignment requirements should be compared to your summary.
Make sure you did everything your instructor asked you to do when you go back over your assignment sheet.Revisions to your paper should match your instructor's expectations.This will allow you to get full credit.
Step 19: Correct errors and passages should be improved in your summary.
You can make changes based on feedback and your assignment sheet review.You want to improve sections of your paper.Correct any mistakes you found during the review.Depending on the purpose of your assignment, you may want to do several rounds of revisions.Make sure your final product is your best work if you are writing a summary for a grade.
Step 20: Make sure the summary is free of errors by proof reading it.
When you finish your paper, read it carefully to make sure there are no errors.Correct any problems you find so that you don't lose credit for them.If you can, ask someone else to look over your paper.If they spot any errors, make changes.
Step 21: The summary should be checked against the article to make sure it's accurate.
You can read over your summary of the article.The author says what he says in the original article.The thesis, each main point, and the main supports are discussed in your summary.Don't make statements that reflect your own opinions or analysis.Don't include your own opinions or ideas in the summary.The original author's ideas should be the focus.