1. Writing a Chapter Summary Chapter 1

2. What is a summary? A brief restatement, in your own words, of the content of a passage. In your case, it will be a chapter. The key is to focus on the central idea.

3. Write a brief summary of the following image:

4. A summary requires Interpretation Write a summary of the following image:

5. Guidelines for writing a summary for a longer passage: Include all of the main points. The main points will reflect the order and emphasis given to them by the original author. It may include important examples It will not include minor details It will not repeat points It will not contain your opinions or conclusions

6. A good summary will include the following: Brevity Completeness Objectivity

7. Objectivity? Prior knowledge Frame of reference Make a conscious, good-faith effort to be objective.

8. Overview—Summarization Condensed—Shorter than the Original Tells all the main ideas Is objective

9. Purpose of a Summary Help you understand what you have read Summaries are useful to your readers Summaries of chapters will help shape your book report

10. The Reading Process Summaries require you to read carefully and allow you to make accurate and coherent discussions that go beyond the summary.

11. Examine the Context Credentials, occupation, and publications of the author. Identify the source in which the piece originally appeared.

12. Note the chapter title It reveals the author’s attitude toward the subject.

13. Read your Chapter Find out main ideas Know audience Know author

14. Indentify the thesis of your chapter

15. Identify when the introduction ends

16. Break the reading into sections

17. Identify the main points Identify the main idea or argument in each stage What is the main idea of this stage? What words or phrases demonstrate the main idea of this section?

20. Distinguish between points, examples, and counterarguments Note how authors make arguments

21. Watch for transitions within and between paragraphs Identify the road signs of logic

22. Read actively and recursively Engage in a dialogue with the author

23. Guidelines for Writing Summaries JK

24. Write a thesis– a one or two sentence summary

25. Write the first draft of your summary

26. Check your summary against the original passage

27. Revise your Summary