Summary Paragraph Steps in writing a summary paragraph

Summary Paragraph Steps in writing a summary paragraph using an article from Ebsco. Host database.

What do the following texts have in common? Wha t type of text is this?

Wha t type of text is this?

Two alternative designs for a fuel cell powered car are presented. Car A, which uses hydrogen fuel, is a sedan designed for the executive market. It provides extra luxury for the driver, but is spacious enough for family use. Car B, powered by hydrogen and oxygen, is a medium sized hatchback which offers a range of features for the family. While both cars are efficient for short trips, they lack the range and speed desirable for long journeys. Both cars incorporate similar safety features and fulfill the design criteria of having low exhaust emissions and using environmentally friendly materials; however, Car B is recommended as it has slightly lower http: //www. monash. edu. au/lls/llonline/writing/engineering/technicalreport/2. 1. xml power consumption and is more economical to manufacture.

What is a summary? �A synopsis or condensed recount of the main points of a text. �A summary does not give all the details from the text, but it outlines the most important parts. �A summary does NOT include your opinion. How do I write a summary? �The writer must read and identify the main points of a text by annotating, or highlighting, a text. �Paraphrase the information by rewriting it in your own style. You should use different words and sentence structure, keeping the information in the same order as the original source.

STEP 1: Choose the article to summarize �Choose a topic that you are interested in learning more about. �We will use EBSCOHOST (accessed through My DTCC) to find an article from either 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 about a topic of your choice. �The article should be between 3 -5 pages. If the article is too short or too long, a one-paragraph summary may be hard to write.

Go to Resources tab of Blackboard. Under DTCC Libraries- Library Databases, click on EBSCOHost (3 rd database listed).

When the new screen pops up, click on EBSCOHost Web.

Click on the blue hyperlink for Master. FILE Premier

Click the box that says FULL TEXT

Type your topic in the search box, then click SEARCH.

On left side, click box for PERIODICALS (will limit the search to ONLY magazines). Then click UPDATE.

Look over the information to make sure the article is at least 3 -5 pages long. Click the blue title to bring up the whole article. Hold your cursor over to read a summary. Number of Pages

Pull up the whole article. Skim it to make sure you want to use it. If you don’t like it, go back to your search results and try another article. PRINT the article you want to summarize. APA Citation/ Referenc e information Click the Source of the article to find the DOI or web address for your APA reference- see next slide. If you like the article, and it is at least 35 pages, PRINT. Be sure to click this icon so it will print to a full page.

Use the information this screen find the DOI or publisher URL for your APA reference. As you can see, this article does not have a DOI but the is listed.

Know your purpose �Your purpose is to provide clear, accurate information about the material you are reading; thus, you should only use information from the article, not your own opinion. �Your goal is not to provide every detail but to outline the major points. �The purpose of your summary is not to eliminate the need for your audience to read the article you chose but to give them a good idea of what the major points are.

STEP 2: Read annotate the article (this is your pre-writing) � Look at the title and subtitles of the article. � Read any introductory sections, such as the preface of the information about the author. � Look at any pictures or graphics, and read the notes that accompany them. � Skim the entire section to get an idea of how it flows, where there is a shift in topic, and how many topics are covered. (This is scanning, not reading word for word, and should only take a few minutes. ) � Check the meaning of any unfamiliar words. � Read your material carefully. � Annotate the article, highlighting, marking, and outlining the major points. � SEE SAMPLE ANNOTATION ARTICLE.

STEP 3: Organize/Outline/Compose � You may find it helpful to make a rough outline of the main points. � Your outline must include a topic sentence with the “Title of the article” and the author’s first & middle initials with last name, like A. R. Hughes. � Include in the summary the major and minor details from the article. Remember these statements need to be paraphrased (rewritten in your own words). �Practice paraphrasing � The summary should NOT include your opinions about the topic; it should only restate, in your own words, the author’s main points. � You may use 1 -2 direct quotes (with an APA citation) from the article in one summary paragraph. Choose strong, well-written, precise statements that will loose their impact if you rewrite it. � Include in the summary a concluding sentence that reminds the reader what are the main points of the article.

Peer Review of Outlines � Switch outlines with a partner � Complete the following items. Note missing elements on your 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. partner’s outline. Does the outline have an interesting, compelling title? If not, write a note to ADD TITLE Does the topic sentence include the topic of the article, “Title of the Article”, and author’s name (first & middle initial/last)? Does the outline state the person’s opinion about the topic? If so, write a note REMOVE OPINION-STICK TO THE FACTS OF THE ARTICLE. Does the outline include at least one direct quote? If not, write a note INCLUDE DIRECT QUOTE. Is the direct quote cited in APA format with the author’s last name, year, and paragraph #? If not, write a note to tell the person what is missing. Does the outline include a concluding sentence? If not, write a note ADD CONCLUDING SENTENCE. Is there a APA reference? Is it written properly? See example on handout.

Step 4 - Rough Draft � Write your rough draft. � Be sure to use transition words to connect and clarify your ideas � Make sure you use APA format… �Document your direct quote in the paragraph �A typed reference at the end of the draft (with proper indentation and spacing) � MUST be typed, double-spaced, 12 -pt. font � Header in top right corner �First and Last Name �Date �ENG 051 -2__ �Summary Paragraph- Draft

Step 5: Review, Edit, and Revise � What is my purpose/audience? � Does my topic sentence include all required information, including the main idea of the article, “Title of article”, and author’s name (first initial/last name only)? � Do I avoid giving my opinion? � Have I covered the most important information in the article? � Did I use at least one direct quote? � Did I use APA format for any direct quotes, paraphrased original ideas, and my reference at the end. � Did I use good transitions? � Did I conclude my paragraph effectively?

Step 6: Publishing your Final Draft You will create a multimodal text using a presentation tool and present your text to your classmates. 1. Possible presentation tools: Prezi, Power. Point, Glogster, Voice. Thread or the course blog feature on Blackboard. *Note- You may choose another presentation tool after demonstrating your understanding of it to your instructor. Multimodal Text: Your presentation must include your summary paragraph and APA citation, along with images, hyperlinks, audio files, video files, etc… that will allow you to thoroughly convey your understanding of the issue and ideas presented in your article. 3. Publishing: Please paste the link or upload the file of your presentation to the discussion board posted on Blackboard by our class meeting time on the due date. 2.