A detailed description of this assignment can be found on page 135 of the Allyn and Bacon Guide to Writing. Remember that the strong response which follows the summary needs to analyze the summarized text. The strong response should be thesis driven.
As I grade this assignment, I will ask myself these questions:
- Does the summary begin by clearly stating what is being summarized with an attributive tag? Is the conclusion of the summary obvious?
- How well does the summary represent the original article accurately (presenting the main points) while remaining objective (not revealing the student’s ideas on the subject)?
- How well does the summary use the language of the student rather than that of the original author? Does the summary use attributive tags?
- Is the thesis excellent?
- Are several focused points made about the chosen essay? Are the points supported by particulars? Do the points support the thesis statement?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” I give the essay some kind of C. If the answer to most of the questions is “no,” its grade will be lower. To essays that have received “yes” answers to the questions above, I add the following:
- Does the response analyze the summarized text and show how the student has thoughtfully considered its use of rhetorical strategies? Is rhetoric addressed meaningfully?
- How well does the response read both with and against the grain of the original text?
- Is the original article documented correctly? Is the works cited page entry perfect?
- Are the introduction and conclusion excellent? Are spelling, grammar, and organization excellent?
- Is the entire essay clearly the result of revision?
Depending on my answers to these questions, I give the essay some kind of A or some kind of B.
If you have questions about the assignment, please visit my office or email me. A complete draft of this assignment is due on February 5 and 8 to your peers. A finished final draft is due with revisions to me on February 10. A copy of the text you are summarizing must be included with the final draft in order for me to grade it.
