Review and Check: Argument Summary Basics

Any clear summary involves the following information (not in exact order, of course; plus, you can combine)


Check to see if you have all of the following, as we have discussed:

1. Identity the Source / context

• Author
• Text
• Genre/type of source/name of publication

2. Subject matter & position

• Author's main claim (thesis)
• Author's key example used
• Subclaims/points or reasons that author believes thesis is valid (reasoning)
• What "side" of an issue is the author on?
• What key terms does the article use?

3. Possible additions to a longer summary:

• What can we take away from the source's points? 
• What does the author hope reading audience takes away?
• Who is the intended audience?

Other rhetorical actions for clearest writing:

• Define key terms that may be unfamiliar or out of context
• Use adjectives, adverbs and strong analysis verbs
• Avoid pronouns; repeat specific nouns (modify the noun phrase)