unit_7

Now follow the steps and work out the summary of the passage.
Now you have 10 minutes to write the summary
(see Global implications of patent law variation)
Step 2 Writing
Write in your own words 1)Paraphrase, faithful to the author’s intended meaning; 2) Compressing: omit the details, reduce the examples, simplify the descriptions, eliminate all repetitions; 3) Condensing and grasping the main idea; 4) Follow the logical order of the original, if possible; 5) Use fewer words—about 1/3 or 1/4 as long as the original passage
Step 3 Revising
Compare
the summary to the original article to make sure you have included all the important points Double check to make sure you have paraphrased the material accurately. Proofread for complete sentences, correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling. The final version should be a unified, complete, and coherent whole.
2. Features of a good summary
1) self-contained/complete; 2) faithful to the original, paraphrased; 3) brief, without any unnecessary details; 4) objective, without any of your opinion.
Model Answer

In his paper “Global Implications of Patent Law Variation,” Koji Suzuki (1991) states that lack of consistency in the world’s patent laws is a serious problem. In most of the world, patent ownership is given to the inventor that is first to file for a patent. However, the United States maintains a first-to-invent policy. As a result, patent ownership is not recognized in a consistent way, which can result in economic problems. Meanwhile, inconsistent patent law might cause international tension. Many countries believe they are placed at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, the fact that the United States does not recognize patent ownership in other countries violates the Paris Convention on Industrial Properties, which has prompted the World Intellectual Properties Organization(WIPO) to push the United States to review its existing patent law principles.
Step 1 Reading

Read the passage through carefully to get the gist of it: skim and scan Decide what part of the passage is essential and what parts are comparatively unimportant and can be omitted without much loss.
Unit 7
Reporting from Other Sources: Summary
Part I Summary
1. What is a summary?


A summary is a shortened/brief version of a text. It contains the main points in the text and is written in your own words A reproduction of the contents of the original with as few words as possible A generalized expression of the gist of the author’s exact and essential meaning, without making any interpretation or comment
Part II
Learn to distinguish between main and subsidiary information.
Final note: Avoid List Summary

List summaries: simply listing the author’s various points but fail to focus those points around any larger overall claim Example: The author says many different things about his subject. First he says.…Then he makes the point that…. In addition he says…. And then he writes…. Also he shows that…. And then he says….
C. Agriculture is another area in which Native Americans had a great and lasting influence on American people. 1. Farming techniques a. provide fertilizer b. irrigation methods and crop rotation 2. Food a. Corn b. Chocolate D. Citizens of the United States are also indebted to the native people for our form of government 1. Iroquois-large tribe with many branches ("nations") Needed to settle disputes among various branches 2. Five nations formed League of Iroquois a. Each nation was autonomous in running its own internal affairs b. Acted together when dealing with outsiders 3. After independence, 13 colonies adopted similar system. a. Each colony (future state) was autonomous in managing own affairs. b. Would join forces to deal with matters that concerned them all III. Conclusion We can easily see from these few examples the extent of Native American influence on our language, our art forms, our eating habits, and oary Writing
Reading Writing Revising

Suppose you are asked to write a summary of the following passage. Now read it and think about what you will do ( read the global implications and try to understand the passage…)
How to decide the important parts of a passage?
1) If you want to save time, using highlighters (to highlight the important parts and supporting evidence)