One of the most common questions you may have about writing a summary is how to sum up an article in your own words. While you may want to make the summary as concise as possible, there are several other important considerations you should keep in mind. A summary isn’t meant to be a full-blown re-write of the source article. Its primary purpose is to provide an overview of the information you’ve read. You don’t need to include every repetition of a point or every detail – simply make sense as a piece of writing in its own right.
Paraphrasing
Often, the best way to write a paraphrase is to rewrite the original text in your own words. This method requires you to read the original article several times and look up unfamiliar words. Then, write out the meaning in your own words, adding in all the detail that you can think of. Then, proofread and revise your paraphrase. If necessary, use quotation marks to add emphasis to key words.
In addition to giving the reader a shortened version of an article, a paraphrase is a great way to remember important ideas. It follows the same line of reasoning as the original article and is often more direct. Unlike a summary, a paraphrase can include brief quotations of significant language. This technique ensures that the reader will get the entire idea of the original text, without distorting its meaning.
Highlighting supporting arguments
In a summary of an article, make sure to highlight the main points and supporting arguments of the article. For example, if an article discusses the causes of childhood obesity in the United States, you can highlight the points that support each author’s main point. Include the evidence and supporting arguments as well as the tone of voice in your summary. Highlighting these important points will show that you have read the article and understand the main concepts presented.
When writing a summary of an article, make sure to include the main points of the article, the author, the year it was published, and the author. Make sure to stick to one supporting argument per body paragraph. You can also include a few details about the article that support the main point. In general, your summary should be written in third-person. Make sure to use academic writing style. If you are writing for a student, consider writing in third-person.
Starting with the main idea
The first step in writing a summary is to identify the author and title of the article. Include the author’s name and title, as well as the date the article was published. It should contain only one to three sentences of supporting evidence. If possible, quote or paraphrase key parts of the article to support the main idea. In the following paragraphs, summarize the article’s content. When writing a summary, avoid using the exact words or phrases that appear in the original article.
Once you’ve identified the main idea, you can begin writing your outline. Make sure the sentences are clear and concise. Use transition words to connect different sections. Also, double check your grammar. If possible, have someone else read the summary for you to catch mistakes. This way, they can help you polish your writing and make revisions. Hopefully, your summary will be as clear and concise as possible!
Using author tags
To write a good summary, you have to summarize the main points of the article. It should highlight the main ideas and supporting arguments of the article. John Wood’s ironic story “Cats Don’t Dance” explains this argument and his opinion. A summary can also include keywords that show the reader what the author is trying to convey. Avoid using the same verbs repeatedly in the summary. Look for words with a stronger action.
To attribute sources, the author of the piece must also tag the author’s affiliations. Using the attribution tag will prevent plagiarism and float quotes without a proper introduction. In general, the attribution tag looks like this: author’s last name, reporting verb, and quote. An example of this would be an essay by Mary Johnson on how cats make better pets than dogs. Assume the author’s ideas were used to create the summary.
Questions to ask yourself
Write a summary of an article based on the author’s thesis and main points. To do this, read the article again, making notes along the way. Write your summary using the author’s first and last name. Then, use a third-person point-of-view. Make sure to include the title and author of the article in the summary. Your summary should be brief, to the point, and easy to read.
Think about the article. One article may focus on childhood obesity in the United States. Two articles may come to different conclusions about who is to blame for this problem. You can summarize both viewpoints, including the author’s evidence and supporting arguments. For example, if an article discusses obesity among children in the United States, the authors may have different points of view about the causes of the epidemic. In the same article, you will find an introduction paragraph, followed by body paragraphs that present evidence and supporting arguments.