Assignment 17.1
Take notes over pp 423-432...also, include notes over pp 175-176 "Writing A Summary"
(1 hour)
Submit 17.1 on May 1 (10 pts)
Assignment 17.2
The Summary:
A summary is a concise paraphrase of all the main ideas in an essay. It cites the author and the title (usually in the first sentence); it contains the essay's thesis and supporting ideas; it may use direct quotation of forceful or concise statements of the author's ideas; it will NOT usually cite the author's examples or supporting details unless they are central to the main idea. Most summaries present the major points in the order that the author made them and continually refer back to the article being summarized (i.e. "Damon argues that ..." or "Goodman also points out that ... "). The summary should take up no more than one-third the length of the work being summarized. YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO EXPRESS ANY OPINION IN THE SUMMARY...SAVE THAT FOR THE RESPONSE.
The summary is one to two paragraphs long.
The Response:
A response is a critique or evaluation of the author's essay. Unlike the summary, it is composed of YOUR opinions in relation to the article being summarized. It examines ideas that you agree or disagree with and identifies the essay's strengths and weaknesses in reasoning and logic, in quality of supporting examples, and in organization and style. A good response is persuasive; therefore, it should cite facts, examples, and personal experience that either refutes or supports the article you're responding to, depending on your stance.
An example of the first sentence of your response (without the essay map points)
In her essay “The Way Men and Women Use Language ” author Deborah Tannen argues that teachers should be aware of the vast differences in how men and women communicate in order to be more successful in the classroom. Based on my experience in the classroom, I have to disagree with Tannen.
Typical Organizational Format for Summary/Response Essays:
1. Present the summary in a block of paragraphs, followed by the response in a block:
Intro/thesis
Summary (two to three paragraphs)
Agreement (or disagreement)
Disagreement (or agreement)
Conclusion
Note: Some essays will incorporate both agreement and disagreement in a response, but this is not mandatory.
For this class, you need 1-2 paragraph summary
For response, you will do the following:
1. Determine if you choose to agree with the summary or disagree and write your response accordingly
2. To begin writing the response:
~first sentence of response should be your thesis including whether you disagree or agree and your 2-3 reasons why (essay map)
~rest of paragraph will cover the first point of your reasons
~next paragraph will cover the second point of your reasons, etc
~conclusion paragraph will sum up the paper with any additional final thought.
You have a choice of two articles to write you summary/response paper on. Page 296; "USA Today: High Schools, Wake Up!" or page 297; "Paul D. Houston's Opposing View: Reform, No Child's Play" and write a "summary/response" essay, drawing on your own knowledge and experience to support or reject the author's view of competition. Remember to support your position with logical reasons, persuasive examples, or relevant facts.
(2 hours)
Submit 17.2 on May 5 (50 pts)
**Note: For future reference, if you have no opinion on the topic,
Do an analysis of the structure of the writing, the clarity of the main idea, use of logic and reasoning, strength of argument, use of supporting evidence
Overall effectiveness of the piece
Good writing
Total Time: 3 hours
