How to Write an Objective Summary- PowerPoint Presentation

This 15 slide presentation defines a summary, provides tips and suggestions for writing an objective summary, and shows a 5-step process for writing a summary with complete examples.
Screenshots of reading and essays include accessibility-friendly alt texts.

1. HOW TO WRITE AN OBJECTIVE SUMMARY

2. WHAT IS A SUMMARY? “A summary is a reduction of a large amount of information to its most important points.” Main Ideas Major Details Enough examples or explanations for your paper to be clear

3. Guidelines for Writing Summaries WHAT GOES IN A SUMMARY? Begin with a sentence or two that state the title of the selection, the author , and the main idea of the whole selection. After the first sentence, only write about the major details and enough explanation to make the points clear. Only use objective language Write using 3rd person 

4. WHAT DOES NOT BELONG IN A SUMMARY? Don’t include your opinion Don't include anything that is not in the original selection like information from other sources or assumptions you made from the reading Don't include summary of the reading's introductory information or extended examples Don’t include a full conclusion or restatement of the main idea at the end Don't use 1st or 2nd person (I, me, my, you, your, yours, etc.)

5. WHAT WRITING STYLE IS USED IN SUMMARIES? Write the entire summary in your own words. Write clearly in complete sentences. Someone who has not read the original selection should be able to understand your summary. Proofread carefully after writing the summary to correct any grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors.

6. Let’s go through the process of writing a summary with an example. First, read the text that follows. Then, go back and mark the really important points and details. Try to determine the main idea of the selection as a whole. Once you have this information picked out, fill it into a note-taking chart such as the one on the next slide.

7. Notes for Writing a Summary

8. STEP 1: READ TEXT

9. STEP 2: NOTE MAJOR POINTS

10. STEP 3: FILL OUT NOTE-TAKING CHART All the information in this chart goes into the first sentence or two of your summary. Title of the Selection: “Influence of Violent Cartoons on Young Children" Author’s Name: Jan Schaffer Main Idea of the Entire Selection: Violent cartoons should be removed from children's television programming.  MAJOR Details and Examples from the selection:  (List as many as necessary IN YOUR OWN WORDS .)  Fictional scenes are emphasizing real harm Theme of violent cartoon scenes are inappropriate Violent cartoons emphasize the wrong values instead of the right values which author implies would be "examples of peaceful resolution" In cartoons, violence is rewarded; author argues this is distasteful Objection to author argument—cartoons are meant for entertainment not teaching; author responds young children are not able to decipher between fiction and reality

11. STEP 4: WRITE FIRST SENTENCE OF SUMMARY Now Let’s Start Actually Writing the Summary from our Notes Begin with the first sentence. The title , author , and main idea all go in the first sentence (or two). Everything in the box below needs to go in the first sentence. All the information in this chart goes into the first sentence or two of your summary. Title of the Selection: “Influence of Violent Cartoons on Young Children" Author’s Name: Jan Schaffer Main Idea of the Entire Selection: Violent cartoons should be removed from children's television programming. 

12. Here are some possible ways to word that first sentence: EXAMPLE 1:   In “Influence of Violent Cartoons on Young Children," by Jan Schaffer , the author argues   violent cartoons should be removed from children's television programming.   EXAMPLE 2:    Jan Schaffer , in "Influence of Violent Cartoons on Young Children," argues violent cartoons should be removed from children's television programming.    Example 3: Jan Schaffer argues violent cartoons should be removed from children's television programming in "Influences of Violent Cartoons on Young Children." All the information in this chart goes into the first sentence or two of your summary. Title of the Selection: “Influence of Violent Cartoons on Young Children" Author’s Name: Jan Schaffer Main Idea of the Entire Selection: Violent cartoons should be removed from children's television programming.  STEP 4: WRITE FIRST SENTENCE OF SUMMARY

13. Including Purpose Words in Your Summary Authors write with a purpose, so use appropriate purpose words to summarize HOW the author is presenting major points Some purpose words relevant to argumentative writing: argues suggests claims believes implies  refutes IMPORTANT!

14. Now Complete Your Summary Once you have your first sentence written, add other sentences to express the ideas that you wrote on your notes sheet.  Then proofread, and your summary is done. Read the final slide for an example of a good, objective summary.  STEP 5: FINISH WRITING SUMMARY

15. FORMATTED EXAMPLE OF OBJECTIVE SUMMARY