summary writing 英语作文写作技巧

1、Chapter 5Objectives 1.Give an appropriate definition for a summary2.Know the characteristics of a good summary3.Learn the techniques in summary writing4.Learn the steps in summary writing5.PracticeI. What is a summary?nA summary is a shortened passage, which retains the essential information of the

2、original. It is a fairly brief restatement - in your own words -of the contents of a passage. nNote: you simply report back what the writer has said, without making value judgments.II. Characteristics of a good summarynCan be understood without reference to the original;nIs a faithful reproduction o

3、f, or contains only the ideas or information of, the original;nIs brief without any unnecessary detail;nIs a readable unified wholeIII. Techniques in summary writing1.ParaphrasingTo paraphrase means to completely and correctly express other peoples ideas in ones own words.Examples: 1. Youve cooked u

4、s all a hot potato. (a troublesome person or issue) 2. Prevention is better than cure. （预防胜于治疗。） (It is better to prevent something unpleasant from happening than try to put it right afterwards.)It helps us understand the original better.It helps us grasp the central idea and the main points. It hel

5、ps us write summaries that are brief and to the point, and in our own words.The importance of paraphrasingRead the original carefully and comprehend its meaning wholly and correctly.Consider the original article as a whole, not in isolated sentences.Steps of paraphrasing1. First, try to find the mai

6、n idea in the reading; its usually in the first paragraph. Next, skim through the article, glancing at any headings and graphics. Then, read the conclusion. The intent here is both to give yourself a review of the work and t o effectively engage yourself with it. III. Techniques in summary writingn2

7、. Then go back and read the original text carefully, jotting down（草草记下） notes on or highlighting the important points. Write the central idea and the authors reasons (purpose and intent) for holding this viewpoint. Note the supporting elements the author uses to explain or back up her/his main infor

8、mation or claim.n3. Make an outline that includes the main idea and the supporting details. Arrange your information in a logical order, for example, most to least important or chronological. Your order need not be the same as that in the original, but keep related supporting points together. The wa

9、y you organize the outline may serve as a model for how you divide and write the essay. n4. Write the summary, making sure to state the authors name in the first sentence. Present the main idea, followed by the supporting points. The remainder of your summary should focus on how the author supports,

10、 defines, and/or illustrates that main idea. Remember, unless otherwise stated by your instructor, a summary should contain only the authors views, so try to be as objective as possiblen5. As you revise and edit your summary, compare it to the original and ask yourself questions such as: Have I reph

11、rased the authors words without changing their meaning? Have I restated the main idea and the supporting points accurately and in my own words? n6. If you are asked to write a critical summary or to include a critique, you may want to ask yourself questions such as: Does the author succeed? How and

12、why or why not? What are the strengths, weaknesses? Why? What did the author do well? Not well? Why?1. Use synonyms or synonymous phrasesHe had a good command of English. (He knew English well.)2. Change the structure of simple sentencesMy brother has an appreciation of modern art.(My brother apprec

13、iates modern art.)Ways of condensation3. Turn complex sentences into simple sentencesHe received a welcome that was as cold as ice.(He received an icy welcome.)4. Combine the sentencesHurry up. If you dont, youll miss the train.(Hurry up or youll miss the train.)nWrite a summary on how to manage you

14、r finances nWhen youre away from home, your parents expect you to be responsible for yourself and this includes taking care of your own finances. To manage your money sensibly, you need a plan to work with. Write down your allowance and expenses for the month. What you are doing is actually budgetin

15、g your income. Make sure that you set aside a small amount for your savings. One way of cutting cost is eating in. It is cheaper than eating out. Moreover, by cooking your own meals, you have greater control over nwhat you eat. Besides that, if you know of friends who live in the same area as you, y

16、ou might want to consider driving to college together. This saves on petrol and parking. In addition, when you shop for household items, compare prices from one shop to another before making your purchase. If you can, wait for sales when you can get better discounts. However, sales where prices are

17、marked down incredibly can sometimes tempt you to buy things which you dont really need. Therefore, be careful and dont give in to temptation.nYour summary must :n * not be more than 60 words, including the 10 words given below：nTo manage your money sensibly, you must first start with .nAnswer： To m

18、anage your money sensibly, you must first start with a plan. Write out your budget and put aside a set amount for savings. You can save money by eating in and carpooling. Besides that, before buying household items, compare prices first. If possible, wait for sales but do not be tempted to buy what

19、you do not need. ( 59 words )nWrite a summary on how we can attract more tourists to our countryn One of the many sources of revenue for the country is tourism. Malaysia has lots to offer the world. We have beautiful beaches, lush jungles, cool mountain retreats and modern cities. However, to furthe

20、r capitalize on tourism, there are a few areas that must be looked into. Firstly, we must expose people from foreign countries to what we can offer. We can do this by holding exhibitions overseas. Organizers of such exhibitions can offer a glimpse into what we have in our country. They can offer att

21、ractive four packages that would definitely lure tourists here. The mass media too can play an important role. The Internet, television and the newspaper offer an alternative mode of advertising the country to the world. Besides that, newspapers and television can be used to show the world the wonde

22、rs found in our country.nOn the homeground, multiethnic cultural shows can be presented to woo foreign tourists to the country. People who come from other countries would definitely like to see the different cultural and traditional practices here. However, what is most important is to make sure tha

23、t the facilities in our country, like public transport and accommodation, are of a reasonable and respectable standard. this is to ensure a pleasant and memorable stay for our visitors. nYour summary must : * not be more than 60 words, including the 10 words given below:There are many ways of attrac

24、ting tourists to our country .nAnswer： There are many ways of attracting tourists to our country. For one, we can organize exhibitions abroad. Through these fairs, we can offer attractive tour packages. Besides that, the mass media plays an important role in promoting Malaysias holiday destinations.

25、 In Malaysia itself, we can hold cultural shows. Most importantly, we must ensure that our facilities are up to standard. ( 60 words )nComposing Essaysn1. What is it?nAn outline is a general plan of the material that is to be presented in a speech or a paper. The outline shows the order of the vario

26、us topics, the relative importance of each, and the relationship between the various parts.n2. Order in an OutlinenThere are many ways to arrange the different parts of a subject. Sometimes, a chronological arrangement works well. At other times, a spatial arrangement is best suited to the material.

27、 The most common order in outlines is to go from the general to the specific. This means you begin with a general idea and then support it with specific examples.n3. Thesis Statement of Summarizing Sentence nAll outlines should begin with a thesis statement of summarizing sentence. This thesis sente

28、nce presents the central idea of the paper. It must always be a complete, grammatical sentence, specific and brief, which expresses the point of view you are taking towards the subject.n4. Types of OutlinesnThe two main types of outlines are the topic outline and the sentence outline. In the topic o

29、utline, the headings are given in single words or brief phrases. In the sentence outline, all the headings are expressed in complete sentences.nTopic OutlinenChoices in College and AfternThesis: The decisions I have to make in choosing college courses, depend on larger questions I am beginning to as

30、k myself about my lifes work.n I. Two decisions describednA. Art history or chemistryn 1. Professional considerations n 2. Personal considerations nB. A third year of French?n 1. Practical advantages of knowing a foreign languagen 2. Intellectual advantagesn 3. The issue of necessityn II. Definition

31、 of the problemnA. Decisions about occupationnB. Decisions about a kind of life to leadn III. Temporary resolution of the problemnA. To hold open a professional possibility: chemistrynB. To take advantage of cultural gains already made: FrenchnSentence OutlinenChoices in College and AfternThesis: Th

32、e decisions I have to make in choosing college courses, depend on larger questions I am beginning to ask myself about my lifes work.nI. I have two decisions to make with respect to choosing college courses in the immediate future.nA. One is whether to elect a course in art history or in chemistry.n1

33、. One time in my life, I planned to be a chemical engineer professionally.n2. On the other hand, I enjoy art and plan to travel and see more of it.nB. The second decision is whether to continue a third year of French beyond the basic college requirement.n1. French might be useful both in engineering

34、 and travel.n2. Furthermore, I am eager to read good books which are written in French.n3. How necessary are these considerations in the light of other courses I might take instead?nII. My problem can be put in the form of a dilemma involving larger questions about my whole future.nA. On the one han

35、d I want to hold a highly-trained position in a lucrative（有利可图的） profession.nB. On the other hand I want to lead a certain kind of life, with capacities for values not connected with the making of money.nIII. I will have to make a decision balancing the conflicting needs I have described.nA. I will

36、hold open the professional possibilities by electing chemistry.nB. I will improve and solidify what cultural proficiency in another language I have already gained, by electing French.Part Two: Main Parts of a CompositionnIntroduction (beginning)(P.133)nBody (middle)nConclusion (end)n1. Introduction

37、Paragraph nIt introduces the main idea of your essay. A good opening paragraph captures the interest of your reader and tells why your topic is important. nHow to write an introduction paragraph? 1. Write the thesis statement. The main idea of the essay is stated in a single sentence called the thes

38、is statement. You must limit your entire essay to the topic you have introduced in your thesis statement. 2. Provide some background information about your topic. You can use interesting facts, quotations, or definitions of important terms you will use later in the essay.Example:(1) Hockey has been

39、a part of life in Canada for over 120 years. It has evolved into an extremely popular sport watched and played by millions of Canadians. (2) The game has gone through several changes since hockey was first played in Canada.n(1)Backgroundn(2)Thsis statementn2. The Body (middle or supporting paragraph

40、s)nHow to write them?n1. List the points that develop the main idea of your essay.n2. Place each supporting point in its own paragraph.n3. Develop each supporting point with facts, details, and examples.nTo connect your supporting paragraphs, you should use special transition words. Transition words

41、 link your paragraphs together and make your essay easier to read. Use them at the beginning and end of your paragraphs. n3. Conclusion (end)nIt summarizes or restates the main idea of the essay. You want to leave the reader with a sense that your essay is complete. nHow do I write one?n1. Restate t

42、he strongest points of your essay that support your main idea.n2. Conclude your essay by restating the main idea in different words. n3. Give your personal opinion or suggest a plan for action. nExample: Overall, the changes that occurred in hockey have helped to improve the game. Hockey is faster a

43、nd more exciting as a result of changes in the past 120 years. For these reasons, modern hockey is a better game than hockey in the 1890s. n1. The descriptive essayna. Description of object or placenb. Describing a sequence of events.nc. Describing a processnd. Describing and explainingna. Descripti

44、on of object or placenDescribe essays require you to state the appearance of something, or to state the major characteristics of it. Note the word state i.e. you are not asked to comment on the subject or to give your personal point of view on it. Questions are often introduced by:describe, narrate,

45、tellnPlan: Introduction of major aspects of the subject. description of aspect A , description of aspect B. conclusion nLanguagenPosition, weight, structure, colour, composition, size, shape, functionnPositionA isadjacent to, alongside, below, beyond,facing (diagonally), parallel to, underneath, opp

46、osite, in the middle of, on the right of, on the left of, near, close to, touching, behind, in front of, under, on top of, above, below, level with, diagonally above, vertically belowBbetween, equidistant fromA isB and CnStructureX isnailed, screwed, fixed, fastened, linked, tied, welded, connected,

47、 attachedto Y by Zheld in place, secured, supported, suspendedX isby YX isjoined to, mounted on, placed on, pivoted onYXconsist of, contains, includusY and ZnColourX isdarklightpalebrightdullgreen.blue.red.yellow.square, round, rectangular, triangular, semi-circular, conical, spherical, hexagonal, o

48、ctagonal, oval, circular, irregularX isin shapeShapeX is shaped like asquare, circle, rectangle,triangle, semi-circle,hexagon, octagonX isdiamond-shaped, kidney-shaped, U-shaped,star-shaped, bell-shaped, dome-shaped,mushroom-shaped, X-shaped, crescent-shaped,egg-shaped, pear-shaped, Y-shapedFunction

49、The function/purpose/aim/objectiveof the thermometer/tripod is to measure the temperature/ hold the beaker（烧杯）.The thermometer/tripod is used for measuring the temperature/ holding the beaker.n1. The fist place I visited was Tian An Men Square, the symbol of country. Standing in the middle of the sq

50、uare, I had a unique feeling which is quite different from the pictures which television showings I had seen before ! It is the largest square in the world. Around it there are the Great Hall of People, the Great Museum of Chinese History and the Memorial Hall of Chairman Mao.n按空间顺序对进行了“Tian An Men

51、Square” 由内向外的详细描写，从“in the middle”到“around it”，这样描写逻辑很有条理。n2. On the fifth day after the vacation, it started snowing. Everywhere was white, so in the evening my sister and I decided to play in the snow in the nearby park the next day. The next morning I got up early and dressed myself quickly. My s

52、ister had prepared the breakfast . At half past ten we arrived at the park. Many people there were playing snow ball fights. We joined them.After that, we made a big and funny snowman. At noon, we felt hungry. I took out bread and peanuts and began to eat. The sunlight became stronger, and the snowm

53、an began to melt. Before we returned home, we were pleased to have had a good time in the park.n本文记叙了放假第六天发生的事，“早晨”、“十点半”、“此后”、“中午”、“晚饭前”等表示时间顺序的过渡词的妙用，使读者对整段内容“一目了然”。nb. Describing a sequence of events.nDescribing a sequence of events is simply telling a story. nState clearly when events happened o

54、r how one event caused another. Questions may be introduced by: Give an account of., Trace., Examine developments in.nPlan:Intoduction First situation then A happened then B happened Final situation ConclusionnLanguagenPast tense is common.nChronological order is also common, but when we are writing

55、 about past events, it is necessary to be explicit about the order in which things happened. To make the order clear, we mention dates and time, and we also use various links and connectives.nSequencenbeforenBefore he was offered a job as a lecturer, he had finished his research.nBefore this, nFor t

56、he previous X years, nPrior to this, nPreviously, nX years previously, nBefore n before which n prior to which nafternWhen/As soon as/Afterhe had finished his research, he was offered a job as a lecturer.On finishing his research,/After finishing his research, /Having finished his research,/On finis

57、hing his research, he was offered a job as a lecturer.nFor the following X years, nX years later, nAfter nFollowing this, nWhen nSubsequently, nSoon/Shortly/Immediately afterwards, n following which n after which nwhilenWhile he was doing his research, /When doing his research,/ While doing his rese

58、arch, /During his research, he made an important discovery.nDuring this period, nThroughout this period, n during which n throughout whichnc. Describing a process nThis is like telling a story but here the connections between the facts must be clearly shown and explained. Group the events into steps

59、 or stages. nExamples of such questions are : nExplain/What is the connection between.nDescribe the procedures by which.nPlan:Definition of process(Main equipment /Main steps) Step One Step Two Step Three Conclusion (Summary of process)nLanguagenSequencenCommon words include:Firstly, First of all, T

60、he first step is, To begin with,. Initially. , Beforehand, Before this, Previously, Prior to this, Earlier, At the same time, During, Simultaneously, When this happens, While, After this, Next, The next step is, Then, Subsequently, In the following stage, Later, Following this, Eventually, . until.