Summary

Reminder Phrases

nd
Source: Swales, J., & Feak, C. (2009). Academic writing for graduate students. (2 . ed.). Ann Arbor, MI:
University of Michigan Press.

In a longer summary, you may want to remind your reader that you are summarizing:

The author goes on to say that….
The article further states that…
(author’s family name here) also states/maintains/argues that…
(author’s family name here) also believes that…
In the second half of the paper, (author’s family name here) presents….

In fact, you may want to mention the source author’s name at three points in your
summary – the beginning, the middle, and the end. In a short summary, it would be
rather awkward to mention the author so frequently, and the text would not flow well if
each sentence began with the author’s name; however, in a longer summary,
mentioning the author three times would be quite appropriate. When you do mention
the author in the middle or end of the summary, be sure to use the family name only:

Goodman goes on to say….
Suzuki also believes that….

Some of the following linking words and phrases may be useful in introducing
information:

additionally in addition to The author further argues that…
also furthermore
further moreover


Task A:
Here are some summary reminder sentences written by students. Which, if any, of
these would you prefer to have written? Try to improve the weaker sentences.

l. Harmon finally says people are making a big fuss over the nuclear waste problem.

2. In addition, the article also discusses about the dangers of current disposal methods.

3. In Saleska’s article, he also points out that low-level radioactive waste can be
harmful.

4. Harmon concludes that current regulations need to be reexamined.

5. Saleska concludes about the current changes in regulations.


Task B:

The following summary would be improved by adding a reminder phrase. Where would
you insert it?


Summary

1
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. 2In most of the
world patent ownership is given to the inventor that is first to file a patent. 3However,
the United States maintains a first-to-invent policy. 4In view of this, patent ownership
can change depending on the country. 5Multiple patent ownership can result in
economic problems; however, most striking is the international tension it causes. 6The
fact that the United States does not recognize patent ownership in other countries, in
violation of the Paris Convention on Industrial Properties, has prompted the World
Intellectual Properties Organization (WIPO) to push the United States to review its
existing patent law principles.