OED definition of summary

I. Of a statement or account: Containing or comprising the chief points or the sum and substance of a matter; compendious (usually with implication of brevity).

II. General, not detailed.

Why Summarize?

demonstrate that you can read with attention to detail

demonstrate that you can write in a fluid and logical fashion

form a foundation for rhetorical analysis or any other type of analysis

create a record of what you have read in more detail than an outline (which is actually quite useless in and of itself)

A Summary SHOULD

state the central claim (argument) of the article

give an idea as to the complexity of the argument

state all of the major points addressed in the article

relate the main points of the claim in order to state/demonstrate the logic of the article

all of the above points should be written in focused and detailed paragraphs

i.e. introduction, transition sentences, well developed paragraphs, and a conclusion

A Summary Should NOT

▪	give any indication of the reader's personal opinion of the article or the author

example introduction: "This particular article by Joe Blow, published in Arizona Weekly, centers around the currently inflammatory issue of abortion. Within it, Blow claims that such an act, no matter what the reason, is not only morally wrong but also a crime against human nature. Within the article, Blow uses a strong religious argument to justify his rash and unfounded conclusions that only serve to alienate the reader."

▪	read like an outline

example introduction: "Joe Blow's article "Death of a Child" was published in Arizona Weekly in July of 1999. Blow makes the argument that abortion is bad and should not be condoned for any reason. In order to make his argument, Blow uses religious language and a moral appeal. For example, paragraph two uses the example of the fifth commandment in order to back up his claim. The next paragraph then uses embryological evidence that a fetus is indeed a child. Blow's conclusion is that abortion is bad and should be illegal in the United States.

Things You Should Consider as You Write

Is the argument cut and dry? If it isn't, what can/need you say about it?

Does Andrew Weil, for example, in his "Heroin" article, ever make a straight forward claim? If not, you should mention in your summary that there seems to be a central claim, but that there are multiple arguments underneath that claim. In order to communicate the logic of the argument, as well as its complexity, you need to communicate to your reader that the argument isn't cut and dry, so to speak, as, for example, within his article on marijuana.

How are you going to leave out enough detail to summarize, yet still include all of this
information??

Think of it this way, how do you take notes for the lectures your professors give in class?? Do you write down each word? No. Do you just outline? Maybe. Now, what would you do if I asked you to, from those notes, explain what the prof said?

Above all!!! Do not simply demonstrate to me that you can read and regurgitate information, but rather that you clearly understood what you read and you can write about it.