Center the word "References" on your reference page, but don't bold or italicize it. The APA requires a reference page, rather than a works cited page, for listing the sources you used for your summary. For some, it takes years, but for others it only takes a few days (Austen, 1813, p.88). For example: One's personality affects their ability to fall in love. In-text citations must include the author's last name, date of publication and page numbers in parenthesis at the end of the quote or paraphrase. Be as concise as possible to reduce the number of words in your summary, and always credit your references when quoting or paraphrasing. Avoid quotations and paraphrase unless an exact quote is critical to interpreting the information. Incorporate in-text citations into your summary as needed. According to APA guidelines, a literature review typically includes a title page, an introduction and a list of references. A teacher might ask you to write a literature review to show how familiar you are with a topic or a field that you're planning to research. A literature review is a "critical summary of what scientific literature says about your specific topic or question," according to the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Be careful not to confuse a literature review with a book review or a literary critique. Literature ReviewĪ literature review is a common type of summary that's written in the APA style.
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Writing in the present tense and using the active voice helps readers identify the main message. For example, if your summary is on the ill effects of poor teenage eating habits, write: Some schools eliminate junk food from their school vending machines to address teen obesity concerns. The APA requires that you use the active rather than the passive voice, so ensure the subject in each of your sentences is performing the action. Avoid cliches, figurative language and technical terminology in a summary, opting for common vocabulary and simple language, suggests the Purdue University Online Writing Lab. Write your summary in the present tense using plain, clear language. Focus on the core issues and discuss the author's purpose for writing the book or article. A summary isn't an analysis, a review or a critique, so don't include your personal opinions, critical evaluations or opposing arguments - unless opposing arguments are specifically addressed in the original text. Limit your summary to approximately one-fourth the length of the original text, recommends Washington State University. The goal is to show your teacher that you have a well-rounded grasp of the material and can succinctly describe the main points.
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Describe what you're summarizing, such as the author and the title of the work, at the beginning of your paper and focus on content that's critical to understanding the original text.