In Health class. Every week we have to do a Current Event from the LATimes which is a summary of a current event that has been posted on LATimes. Your allowed to use the newspaper or internet.
My problem is summarizing it without plagiarizing the article. Can anyone tell me how should I summarize or write it? Take this article for example:
(LATimes website -> Type in Search Box: Poll: Most OK birth control for schools -> Click the first article listed)
Poll: Most OK birth control for schools
I suggest you take notes on a news article by answering the 5 W's (and H)-- Who? What? When? Why? Where? How?
Then write up your notes.
Summarizing an article without plagiarizing requires careful reading, critical thinking, and paraphrasing skills. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to summarize the mentioned article titled "Poll: Most OK birth control for schools" from the LA Times website:
1. Read the article thoroughly: Begin by carefully reading the entire article to understand its main points, arguments, and evidence. Pay attention to the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.
2. Identify the main idea: Determine the primary focus of the article. In this case, the main idea could be the results of a poll regarding which types of birth control methods are deemed acceptable for schools.
3. Highlight key points: Identify the significant details, statistics, or quotes that support the main idea of the article. These could include specific contraceptive methods mentioned in the poll or any notable opinions or arguments presented.
4. Paraphrase the information: Rewrite the highlighted points in your own words while maintaining the meaning and essence of the original article. Use synonyms, change the sentence structure, and explain unfamiliar terms or concepts.
5. Organize the summary: Arrange the paraphrased information in a logical sequence. Start with an introductory statement that briefly mentions the main idea, followed by supporting points in the body paragraphs, and conclude with a summary of the entire article.
6. Use appropriate citation or attribution: When citing information from the article, ensure to provide proper credit to the LA Times as the source. Use in-text citations or include a reference section at the end of your summary, depending on the requirements set by your teacher.
Remember, the goal of summarizing is to condense the article's content while retaining the key information. Your summary should reflect your understanding of the article's main points and arguments, without simply copying sentences or phrases.