Writing a summary

                                                                                           

Summary. The uniform debate

The text refers to the increase in the use of uniforms at school  in the USA and debates whether they are a good idea.
Teachers believe that this increase has led to an improvement in (both) behavior and academic results.
Contrary to the opinion of sociologists, who consider other elements may affect the change, parents and teachers keep its use is, based on their experience, better for students.

HOW TO SUMMARISE A TEXT. 2 BACH

 https://teachingenglishpalmira.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-write-summary.html

READ THE TEXT AND WRITE A SUMMARY OF ABOUT 50 WORDS

This year America’s largest citizens came into conflict with several organisations. The most controversial thing was how airlines treat overweight travellers. Many airlines make them pay for two seats, but according to the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) they often do it in an arbitrary manner. It is campaigning against Southwest Airlines, which makes passengers buy two seats if they are too wide for one. Fitness organisations have also offended fat activists. In California the dance instructor Jennifer Portnick became a heroine when she sued Jazzercise, the world’s largest dance fitness organisation. Although she weighs 108 kg,  Portnick says she is fit enough to teach exercise classes, but she was rejected for the job because she looked fat. After a court case, Jazzercise agreed in May that it would not require its instructors to look, as well as be, fit.

Another conflict was with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) when it introduced its recent campaign for vegetarianism. Airport posters showing a large stomach with the slogan “Don’t buy two seats, go vegetarian” were replaced. But the substitute campaign has caused just as much offence. It shows an overweight Elvis Presley with the line: “Don’t be Cruel to Your Heart and Body”. “It’s not acceptable to represent other groups this way”, said a NAAFA spokeswoman. “We wouldn’t see Asian or African-Americans, short people or disabled people in a campaign like this. So why fat people? This promotes the idea that it is shameful to be fat”. “We are not against fat people. We are against fat”,  answered PETA spokeswoman. “Obesity is a social problem. And we need to stop being so sensitive about saying that people are overweight.

SUMMARY
The text is about how fat activists, represented by an organization called the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, are fighting against discrimination by certain airline companies, fitness organisations and anti-fat publicity campaigns. Although the latter argue that obesity is a social problem, the NAAFA says that there is nothing shameful about being fat.

HOW TO WRITE A SUMMARY

To write a good summary it is important to understand the text, so you may need to read it several times. Once you have done that, follow these tips:

Ø  Highlight/Underline the main ideas in the text. They do not always come at the beginning of the text. 

Ø   Rememember you should be answering questions such as Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? 

Ø  Combine the main ideas together in your own words. That is to say PARAPHRASE THOSE IDEAS. Relative pronouns will be useful.As well as some linkers.

Ø  Do not include your own opinion or add extra information.

Ø  Keep your summary short. It will depend on the length of the original text though. No more than one third of length (1/3)

Ø  The text should flow when you read it aloud.

Ø  You can start your summary with sentences such as: The text is about…. The text deals with…

Ø  If you are writing the summary of an article,  you should mention the author. “In the article “….” by  “…” we learn/ the author shows…/informs…/declares…/states…/claims...

Ø  Check grammar, punctuation, spelling.

                                                                                              GOOD LUCK!!!