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!

WRITING ASUCCESFULL

SUMMARY

Source:Academic Writing for

Graduate Students,John M. Swales & Christine B. Feak

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WHY DO WE MAKE A

SUMMARY?

! EXAMINATION

! CLASS DISCUSSION

! RESEARCH PAPER

! A THESIS

! A DISSERTATION

! ETC.

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PRINCIPAL

REQUIREMENTS

! It should be focused on the relevant aspects of the sourcetext or texts. There may be no need to take information fromevery section or paragraph of the source texts.

! It should present the source material in an accurate fashion.

! It should condense the source material and be presented inthe summary writers own words .

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Read the Source Text

(Skimming and Scanning)! .

can be find (usually) in the last paragraph

can be find (usually) in the first sentence.

can be find (usually) in the first paragraph.

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PRELIMINARY STEPS

IN WRITING A SUMMARY

! Skim the text, noting in your mind the subheadings. If there areno subheadings, try to divide the text into sections.

! Consider why you have been assigned the text. Determine whattype of text you are dealing with, that is, the genre of the sourcetext (e.g., a research paper) or perhaps the organization (problem-

solution or general-specific). This can help you identify importantinformation and focus your reading strategies.

! Read the text, highlighting important information or taking notes.

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PRELIMINARY STEPS

IN WRITING A SUMMARY

! In your own words , write down the main points of eachsection. Try to write a one-sentence summary of eachsection.

! Write down the key support points of the main topic, butinclude minor detail only if necessary.

! Go through the process again, making changes asappropriate.

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PARAPHRASE

! A restatement (in your own words) of the ideas of theoriginal.

! Restating of something in other, especially simpler, words.

! The most commons strategy used to accomplish this

involves replacing words in the source with synonyms andperhaps changing the grammar.

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PARAPHRASE

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Guidelines to Paraphrase

! Always try to use your own words, except for technical terms.

! Include enough support and detail so that the presentation is clear.

! Do not try to paraphrase specialized vocabulary or technicalterms.

! Focus on the content of the original.

! Make sure the summary reads smoothly. Use enough transitiondevices and supporting detail. You do not want a collectionsentences that do not flow.

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PLAGIARISM

! A deliberate activity, as the conscious copying from thework of other.

! Reasons: the writer is an original, individual, creative artists original ideas and expressions are the acknowledgedproperty of their creators plagiarism is a sign of disrespect,to copy without acknowledgment from the works ofpublished authorities.

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Identifying the Source in the

Summary

! According to Kenneth Waltz (2004) , theory is different than reality,even though they are related and theory is used to explain or topredict phenomena which occur in the real world.

! Robert Jervis (2008) proposesan alternative study of internationalrelations which focuses on the international system and patternsof interaction among international actors.

! Aristotle (1970) states that positive law, the law which is created byhumans, is a human interpretation of natural law, from universallaw principles of morality.

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Reporting Verbs

! Huntingtons 2010 paper on civilization discusses ..

! Easton (1980) states/claims/argues/maintains that

! Rousseau (1960) suggests/asserts/hypothesizes/concludes that..

! In Almond and Verbas book The Civic Culture (1980),..

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Re-identifying the Sources

! The author goes on to say that

! The article further states/argues that ..

! (Authors surname) also states/maintains/argues/believes that..

! (Authors surname) concludes that .

! Some of the following sentence connectors which are usually usedin introducing additional information: additionally, also, further,in addition to, furthermore, moreover.

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Exercise

! General authorities are particularly powerful in providingnormative knowledge. It can be extremely difficult to decide howto judge political issues, and in such cases, it can be helpful to finda widely accepted authority for guidance. For example, considerthe question, What is the role of women in a countrys politics?While some people see this as a straightforward question of fact,

others view it as a normative question about what the role ofwomen should be. In some societies, there is disagreement aboutthis question, and many look to an authority source to provide theanswer. (from Politics, Danziger).