The Summary/Response: A Simple Guide
Have you ever been assigned a Summary/Response paper and wondered where to start? Essentially, this type of assignment asks you to do two things: summarize what an author said, and then share your opinion about it.
Here is a simple breakdown of how to structure both sections effectively.
1. The Summary: Just the Facts
A summary collects the main points and major supporting details of a reading passage.
When you write a summary, you should arrange the main points in roughly the same order as they appeared in the original article. Throughout your writing, make clear references to the article or the author. Most importantly, keep your own opinion out of the summary.
How to organize it:
- The First Sentence: State the title of the article, the author’s full name, and the main idea of the passage.
- The Body: Write a cohesive paragraph that connects the main points. Use transition words (like however, as a result, furthermore) so your writing flows smoothly.
- Your Own Words: Make sure all the information is completely paraphrased. Do not just copy sentences from the text.
- The Conclusion: Restate the main idea and create a smooth transition into your response section.
2. The Response: Your Educated Opinion
A response is your personal evaluation of the passage.
To write a strong response, select one or two specific points the author made and react to them by either agreeing or disagreeing. You must support your position using persuasive language, facts, examples, personal experiences, or logical explanations.
How to organize it:
- The First Sentence: State the title of the article and include a direct quote that you want to comment on.
- The Second Sentence: Paraphrase the quote in your own words to show your reader that you truly understand it.
- State Your Position: Clearly tell the reader where you stand (e.g., “I strongly disagree with…”).
- The Body: Provide convincing evidence to support your argument. Use explanations, examples, or facts.
- No Conclusion Needed: Interestingly, a response paragraph does not require a formal concluding sentence. You can simply end on your final strong point.
Examples in Action
Let’s look at how to put these rules together based on a real news article about homelessness.
Example Summary
In the article “South Carolina City Makes Being Homeless Illegal,” Barnini Chakraborty discusses a city’s controversial decision to penalize the homeless in an attempt to boost the local economy. A plan to prohibit homelessness was passed by the Columbia City Council on August 13, 2013. As a result of this new law, homeless shelters will be moved outside downtown areas to reduce crime and help local businesses reestablish themselves. However, according to the article, critics do not believe this plan will solve the issue. They argue that it fails to address the root causes of homelessness and does not accurately calculate the project’s true financial cost.
Example Response
In “South Carolina City Makes Being Homeless Illegal” (2013), the author notes that local business leaders believe “…the city’s homeless problem has been eroding economic opportunities for decades.” If it is true that the homeless are being blamed for these economic problems, then we must also look at society’s responsibility toward them. I strongly disagree with the Columbia City Council’s decision to criminalize homelessness. At the same time, I agree with the critics who believe the plan is deeply flawed because it does not solve the heart of the problem. Homelessness is a symptom of much larger social and economic issues that are not always visible on the surface. Criminalizing people for having no home is like sweeping a problem under the rug and hoping it disappears. If we want to eliminate homelessness, we must take collective responsibility for it.