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SUMMARIZING, PARAPHRASING, AND QUOTING: SUMMARIZING

This LIbGuide has three main objectives: 1. Demonstrate with clear definitions the differences between summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting. 2. Provide strategies and examples to show students how to incorporate research in their writing. 3. Encourage

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to the Kendall Summarizing LibGuide! You will find some examples, tips, and ways to practice summarizing to incorporate into your writing.

If you would like a quick rundown of summarizing, please visit this page.

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WHAT IS A SUMMARY?

WHAT IS A SUMMARY?                                                                                                  

A summary is a short version of a source in your own words.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A SUMMARY                                                                           

  • Must be shorter than the original source
  • Only focuses on main ideas
  • It maintains original ideas

WHY SUMMARIZE?                                                                                                        

Summarizing is useful when you are referencing more than one main idea from a source in your paper.

SUMMARY TIPS BY SMRT ENGLISH


 

Let's practice summarizing!

  1. Read this article.
  2. Re-read the article and find the main ideas.
  3. Write a one paragraph summary.
  4. Make sure you are not copying directly from the original article.
  5. Take a look at a sample summary of the article. How did you do?

SUMMARY EXAMPLE

SUMMARY EXAMPLE                                                                                                    

A recent popular marker for student success is the idea of grit. In an interview about her new book, psychologist Angela Duckworth defines grit as being focused and completing tasks from beginning to end. She also mentions that quitting is part of exploration, but tasks and activities must be completed for one to achieve experiencing in a deeper level. Finally, she states that grit can be seen as a sign of future success, but measuring it would not be feasible. Duckworth concludes her interview by explaining that her research wants to contribute to the conversation of different types of intelligences (as mentioned in Martin, 2016). 

COMPLETE CITATION                                                                                                    

Martin, R. (Host). (2016, May 1). Forget Talent, Success Comes From ‘Grit’ [Radio broadcast episode].

In Sunday Edition. Washington DC: National Public Radio.

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CITING A SUMMARY

There are two ways to cite a summary:

1

  • Begin by using a signal phrase or the name of the author.
  • Include a parenthetical citation with the year next to the author’s name.
  • Include a page or page numbers if possible.
  • Include your source in the reference list.

 

2

  • Include a parenthetical citation with the author’s last name, year at the end of the summary.
  • Include a page or page numbers if possible.
  • Include your source in the reference list.

 

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