Synthesis: Summary, Paraphrase, or Quotes

What questions do you have about summarizing and paraphrasing a text? As a writer, what do you have to consider when you have to write a summary of a source? How do you use summary and paraphrasing, along with quoting?


Why do we have summaries--why are they useful to us as writers and readers?

• __________________

Why paraphrase? What does it do?

• __________________

What should you summarize? 

• Main point(s)
• How do they make it?
• Position/stance/purpose

What are some strategies to use to get better at writing summaries?

• Active reading
• Charts and Outlines
• Use present tense verbs in discussing authors

• Three New Critical Thinking and Writing Pointers:

• Use transitional phrases to envelope larger ideas discussed by author
• First ______. Then, ______  (chronology)
• The largest argument made by author x, he/she states ________. A second argument, ______.  (emphasis of ideas)
• In short, use transitional phrases that mirror/mimic the author's structure and own language usage. 

• Focus on key example that clarifies your point about his or her main point
• Choose a memorable example, if the author provides a handful of different examples. Which one was the clearest? Which one do you think will impact your audience's understanding the most?

• Make the specific idea universal through your claims

• Example: Author X argues _universal idea by critiquing quote/paraphrase/summarize a point made in article