Writing a Summary
TASK 1
Writing a Summary (part 2)
Now you are ready to practice writing summaries. We will use the Gardner essay.

When you analyzed the reading, you should have noticed that it is divided into three parts: 1) an introduction; 2) a section called, “Intuitive Learning and Scholastic Learning”; and 3) “The Difficulties Posed by School.”

Write a summary of “Intuitive Learning and Scholastic Learning” in the box below. Your summary should include the most important points made by Gardner. Your summary should be no longer than a few paragraphs.


If someone else read your summary, would that person understand what this section is about and what Gardner’s point or thesis is?

Remember that there is no one correct or perfect summary. There are many different ways to write a summary. Compare your version to this sample student summary which the CPE Readers (Graders) felt showed understanding of the passage.

If you would like to send your summary to an e-tutor and receive feedback, fill in your e-mail address and submit it.



 

For more practice in summarizing, write a summary ofthe next section, “The Difficulties Posed by School.” You may submit it if you’d like:




Here are two actual student summaries you can use to check against your summary of this passage:

     Short Student Summary          Longer Student Summary

As you will see, quoting and paraphrasing are the next important skills used in writing good summaries and analyses.

 
Quoting & Paraphrasing >>