Summarize a Written Rhetorical Text
Choose an article that is opinion or argument
Look at op-ed (opinion-editorial) articles
Recent – published within the last eight weeks
Content and format requirements
Content:
- Write a 150- to 250-word summary of the article.
- Your summary should include an overview of the article’s purpose and enough information that someone who has not read the article would have a clear and concise understanding of what the piece is about. You will have to make some choices about what reasons, details, and examples to include in your summary. However, your goal is to represent the gist of the article as clearly and accurately as possible.
- Do not include your opinion of the article or its topic. Do not editorialize: Example: “This is a well-written article.”
Format
- One paragraph (two, at most), with an introduction, body, and conclusion
- Introduce the source by title and author within the first few sentences of your summary.
- APA paper format: Use the APA 7 template
Organization requirements
- Summary is presented in a logical, sequential order
- Transitions link ideas within and between paragraphs to unify the discussion.
Source/ Support requirements
- Adequate and appropriate evidence (paraphrase and quotes) to support the discussion
- Use of source ideas. Use paraphrase to create your summary. Quotes may be used; however, most of the summary must be in your own words
- Avoid long quotes. For information on quoting, summarizing and paraphrasing go to: Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.) Quoting, Paraphrasing, and Summary. Purdue Online Writing Lab. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/using_research/quoting_paraphrasing_and_summarizing/index.html
- APA in-text and APA reference citation required.
Technical requirements
- Write in third person (objective voice) – avoid I or You statements.
- Use standard conventions of English: punctuation, capitalization, complete sentences
- Spellcheck and proofread your work.
