Guidelines for using IN-TEXT CITATIONS in a SUMMARY (or
RESEARCH PAPER)
The purpose of a summary is to give the reader, in a about 1/3 of the original length of an
article/lecture, a clear, objective picture of the original lecture or text. Most importantly, the
summary restates only the main points of a text or a lecture without giving examples or
details, such as dates, numbers or statistics.
Before writing the summary:
1. For a text, read, mark, and annotate the original. (For a lecture, work with the notes
you took.)
o highlight the topic sentence
o highlight key points/key words/phrases
o highlight the concluding sentence
o outline each paragraph in the margin
2. Take notes on the following:
o the source (author’s last name, title, date of publication)
o the main idea of the original (paraphrased)
o the major supporting points (in outline form)
o major supporting explanations (e.g. reasons/causes or effects)
Writing your summary--Steps:
1. Organize your notes into an outline which includes main ideas and supporting
points but no examples or details (dates, numbers, statistics).
2. Write an introductory paragraph that begins with a frame, including an in-text
citation of the source and the author as well as a reporting verb to introduce the
main idea. The reporting verb is generally in present tense.
1. ARTICLE:
In the article, ____________(author's last name) (year) argues
(claims/reports/contends/maintains/states) that ___________________________ (main
idea/argument;
S + V + C).
Example: In his article, Serwer (1997) describes how Michael Dell founded Dell
Computers and claims that Dell’s low-cost, direct-sales strategy and high quality
standards accounted for Dell’s enormous success.
Reporting Verbs:
INDICATING
STRONG NEUTRA COUNTERARGUMEN SUGGESTIO
RESEARCH CRITICISM
ARGUMENT L T N
RESULTS
argue state show refute the claim suggest criticize
assert note demonstrate argue against recommend
claim report illustrate
contend explain indicate
maintain discuss point out
(studies/
insist illustrate
authors) prove
(studies/
posit observe
authors) found
Other examples of frames:
1. According to ___________________ (author's last name) (year),
____________________________________ (main idea; S + V + C).
2. _______________ (author's last name) (year) argues that
___________________________________________ (main idea; S + V + C).
3. If no author is given, use the title of the article:
According to "_____________________" (Title of the Article) (year),
_________________________________ (main idea; S+V+C).
4. _________________ (topic/NP) has had a major impact on
the_________________ (NP) of _________________ (main idea; NP) (author's
last name, year).
3. The main idea or argument needs to be included in this first sentence. Then mention the
major aspects/factors/reasons that are discussed in the article/lecture. Give a full reference
for this citation at the end of the summary (see #6. below).
a. For a one-paragraph summary, discuss each supporting point in a separate
sentence. Give 1-2 explanations for each supporting point, summarizing the
information from the original.
4. Support your topic sentence with the necessary reasons or arguments raised by the
author/lecturer but omit all references to details, such as dates or statistics.
5. Use discourse markers that reflect the organization and controlling idea of the original, for
example cause-effect, comparison-contrast, classification, process, chronological order,
persuasive argument, etc.
6. In a longer summary, remind your reader that you are paraphrasing by using "reminder
phrases," such as
o The author goes on to mention that ... / The article (author) further states that ../ Author's
last name) also states/maintains/argues that .../ Author's last name) also believes that.
7. Restate the article’s/lecturer’s conclusion in one sentence.
8. When citing a secondary author within the text: Write the secondary source and then add ‘as
cited in’ and mention the primary source. For example:
According to Young (1990) the validity of such research is questionable (as cited in Hobbs,
2004).
OR
The validity of the effectiveness of such research is questionable (Young, 1990, as cited in
Hobbs, 2004).
