BIO 180: Nutrition: Annotating and Summarizing

You should be able to answer these questions as your read and they will ensure that your summary is 

Abstract

• Is this relevant to my research? How/how not?
• What do I know about the research from the abstract. What questions do I have?

Introduction

• Why did the authors do this study?
• What problem is the study trying to solve?
• How is this research unique?
• How is this research related to my project?
• What other research exists in relation to this topic?

Discussion / Conclusion

• What did the researchers conclude? Why?
• Are the findings unique and supported by other work in the field?

Methods

• How was this research conducted?

Results

• What data did the study produce?
• What major factors could affect the results?

This list adapted from University of New Mexico's Biology 203L: Ecology and Evolution Guide

As you read each section:

• Put a * next to anything that is particularly helpful for your summary
• Highlight words that you need to look up
• Put a ? next to any passages that seem particularly confusing, especially after you read them a few times
• Ask questions in the margins
• Summarize important things in the margins
• Generally take quick notes in the margins

After you read:

• Underline the most important sentence in the section
• Restate that sentence in your own word
• Make sure you understand the section as a whole and check out the list of questions on the left