University:
Boston University
Course:
QST MO 221 | The Dynamics of Leading Organizations
Academic year:

2024
Views:

108

Pages:

1
Author:

Ivy Stone

Criteria for Writing a Summary A summary is a condensed version of a larger story. It should briefly but comprehensively describe the essential information from the original. In contrast to an outline (which uses sequences of numbers and letters, or bullet points), a summary should be written in continuous prose form, i.e. in paragraph form. A summary should be considerably shorter than the article it summarizes. For purposes of this assignment, two double-spaced pages should be enough. When summarizing an article, be sure to include the following: • Author • Title • Topic • Thesis • Main points/arguments • Significant examples You should omit the following from a summary: • Repetition • Minor examples • Minor details • Any analysis, opinions, interpretations, or conclusions (even your own) that are not present in the original text Important points to remember when summarizing: • Try to restate what the author writes as objectively as possible. • Use simple present tense to describe the content of the article. • Answer the reporter’s questions: who, what, when, where, why, how. • Use the author’s full name the first time you mention it. Thereafter, use only the author’s last name, not her first name or full name. • For example, in your introduction, you might write: “In the article, ‘How Does Our Language Shape the Way We Think?’ Lera Boroditsky examines how speakers of different languages discuss space, and time.” Later, you might write, “Boroditsky [not Lera, or Lera Boroditsky] focuses on how Australian Aboriginal perceive spatial relationships.” • If you write concisely and precisely, you can provide specific information that is much more helpful to the reader than vague, general explanations that just take up space. • For example, instead of writing, “The author talks about lots of different languages,” you could write: “Boroditsky examines languages as diverse as Russian, Mandarin, and Kuuk Thaayorre, an Australian Aboriginal language.” • Use appropriate verbs to express that author’s actions. For example, if the author is: Ø Making a claim: argue, assert, insist, etc. Ø Expressing agreement: acknowledge, agree, endorse, reaffirm, etc. Ø Questioning or disagreeing: deny, question, refute, reject, etc. Ø Making recommendations: advocate, demand, urge, etc.