Summary

Summary

1. It is an indispensable resource for essay writing

   • When you summarize a text, you distill the ideas of another source for use in your own essay
     • Summaries you write to prepare for an essay will generally be longer and more detailed than those you include in the essay itself

2. True Summary

   • It always concisely recaps the main point and key supporting points of an analytical source
   • True summary neither quotes nor judges the source
   • True summary may also outline past work done in a field
   • Every essay also requires snippets of true summary along the way to "orient" readers

3. Interpretive Summary

   • It simultaneously informs your reader of the content of your source and makes a point about it
   • differs from true summary by putting a "spin" on the materials
   • It is best suited to descriptions of primary sources that you plan to analyze