GSU 1010
Guidelines for Summary-Response Papers
Summary-response is a type of writing that allows you to practice several skills that are
important to good writing: summarizing ideas, making connections between external authorities
and personal experiences, and expressing your own ideas and opinions. Your summary-response
papers this semester will be based on presentations and readings from GSU 1010. Each paper
should contain three balanced paragraphs as outlined below. Each paper should be 1 to 1-
1/2 typed pages, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins.
Your summary-response papers for GSU 1010 should have three parts:
1) The first paragraph should be a summary of the main ideas expressed by the
presenter/author. Your summary does not require much detail, but supporting points and
examples that help readers understand the content should be included. Throughout your
summary, you should use reminder phrases—words that refer back to the author (e.g.,
The author also explained that…)—to remind readers that you are summarizing another’s
ideas and words.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
In the article, (include article title), the author asserts that…
(alternative verbs: states, claims, explains, etc.)
According to the presenter in (include presentation title and date),…
The author also stated that…
2) The second paragraph should explain or describe some connection you make between
the presenter/author’s ideas and your own experience. Alternatively, it may compare or
contrast the presenter/author’s ideas with those of another presenter/author you are
familiar with. This paragraph should provide enough information to explain why you are
making this connection.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
This topic reminds me of another article by (author). In this article,…
As I considered the presenter’s argument, I recalled an experience in which…
A similar idea about (topic) is expressed by (author) in (article, book, etc.)
3) The third paragraph should express your opinion and evaluation of the topic and main
idea. Alternatively, you might express your opinion and evaluation of the presentation of
the topic itself (e.g., the presenter/author’s style of presentation, voice quality, vocabulary
choice). You should include examples, facts, and experience to defend or support your
opinion/evaluation.
USEFUL LANGUAGE
The author’s arguments are (persuasive/convincing/inadequate...) because…
I agree/disagree with the presenter’s views about (topic) because …
In my opinion, the assertions in this article are correct/incorrect because…
The author expressed her ideas in a clear academic manner. For example, she
began by….
