The Analytical Summary Assignment

Getting started: 1. Read the ENTIRE essay once. 2. Read again to identify the thesis. a)The thesis is not some general truth, b)It is a specific claim about the meaning of(or the experience of reading) the text. 3.Identify the major sources of evidence for the claim, usually some combination of – Appeals to other theorists/critics ideas, – Interpretation of key passages.

Getting started (cont’d): 4.Understand how these key parts fit together and be prepared to explain it in your summary. 5.Determine what the overall effect on the meaning (or experience) of the text is, and be prepared to state it.

Writing the Summary: 1.If you want to begin with, “In his/her article “Title,” Firstname Lastname shows/argues/ demonstrates that [thesis],” fine with me! 2.Summarize the way the argument is made: how are the theorists/critics (if any) used? To what effect? 3.What passages are interpreted? How are they interpreted and how does the interpretation contribute to the overall argument?

4.Explain in your transitions between paragraphs how the elements link together. 5.In your conclusion, explain how these key steps come together to make the argument and what, in the author’s contention, is the effect of the argument on the meaning or experience of the text.

6.Remember, your task is not to include everything that the author says, not is it t repeat the arument in the same sequence that the author articulated it. She has her/his purposes; you have yours. Like someone summarizing or writing an article about a sporting event, you start with what matters, and you focus on key moments.