Q&A for How to Start a Summary Paragraph

Higher Order Thinking refers to the use of Higher Order Thinking Skills or "HOTS." It is a way of questioning at a higher level with students to ensure they are thinking outside the box of comfort and are being taught in a manner that encourages synaptic exchange and increase in their brain.

No, that's not necessary. Anyone interested in seeing references would go to the original work.

Great question! You ought to explain what the graphs mean and how they relate to the main idea of the article they're in. Usually, though, a good article will already have explained/paraphrased its own graph.

Not necessarily, you can use past or present but it should be consistent.

You should usually end a summary with a conclusion, for example: "I end my summary with my thoughts about the topic."

if you really know a subject, you will be able to summarize it. If you cannot summarize a subject, even if you have memorized all the facts about it, you can be absolutely sure that you have not learned it. And, if you truly learn the subject, you will still be able to summarize it months or years from now.

It depends on a couple factors. If you are summarizing a long book versus a short article, the latter will probably require less sentences. The other factor that will affect the length of your summary is its depth. Are you trying to sum up every point or just summarize the bare bones? Again, the latter will require less sentences.

Yes, if you are simply writing a summary of the article, it should not include your own opinions. (If you are writing a critique of the article, that may include your opinions.)

No, you should always use punctuation in a summary paragraph, just as you would in the rest of the report or essay.

That depends on the format. If your summary is just part of a short essay, it doesn't need its own heading, but a summary in an executive report should get not only its own heading but even its own page. Check with a style guide appropriate to what you are writing.

Here's a brief guide on how to write a good introductory paragraph, whether this is for summaries, essays or any informative or reflective writing in particular: 1. Hook: An opening statement to grab the reader's attention. Make this related to your topic or reflective of an important aspect of the thing you'll be discussing. 2. Transitional statement: A linking statement that connects your hook sentence with your thesis. 3. Thesis: Tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion. Make sure your introductory paragraph encapsulates what you will be discussing in the rest of the writing, and make it as relevant as possible.