How should I write my chapter summary?

Well, it’s a sociology class.
He’s probably more interested in seeing the different ways it was done.

If you’re comfortable with essay form, go for it.

Maybe your friend is more analytical, but with no rules given either should be acceptable.

I’d do essay form myself

I always write papers in essay form. It just seems more professional and clean. Essay form also seems easier to explain yourself and what you learned – you can blend from sentence to sentence. Bullets seem so harsh and rigid. Just make sure you provide what he asks for and writing yours essay form should be just fine.

Yay! I feel validated. :)
Thanks. Anyone else, feel free to leave your opinion I’m still interested in what everyone may add, but I’m off to finish my long ass summary. :)

I like writing papers in essay form too.

It may be easiest for you to read through the chapter thoroughly and take notes in point form. Put down the stuff that’s most important.

Use those notes to write your summary in essay form, paraphrasing the words.

That’s my suggestion. I read all my textbook chapters and make point form notes on everything. It’s a great way to soak up information. Also nice because when they are good notes, I can just refer to them and not lug the book around :)

I agree with Allie. Essay form is way more professional and “college standard” than bullet format. Personally, I love point form because it’s so clean and NO BS and straight to the point. But most professors would frown upon it in my experience and so that’s another reason I stick to the essay.

Edit – Woot for you going back to college! Don’t stress, work hard, you are a smart jelly and will do just fine :)

I feel you would be able to explain better in an essay format. I say this because your English is pretty descriptive….......So choose a method in which you are comfortable…....But be simple, clear and concise in your summary…...All the best

I’m with the girls. I would never turn in any college assignment in bullet points.

One compromise that your professor might appreciate is to do both. Write out your bullet points AND a longer summary that weaves them together. I tend to do this on exams when I feel a diagram would be clearer than an essay, but think it would look lazy/sloppy on its own. Just as bullets are easier to write, they’re easier for your prof to read as well. This depends on the professor, though; the ones who really appreciate parsimony will be most grateful for it.

Good luck, and if you remember, post back and let us know how you did!

Thanks, niki. :)

For clarification, how did you combine bullet points and essays? Did you outline everything in bullet form in the beginning and then write the essay, tack them on to the end, or include them in sections? My first instinct would be to put them in the beginning or the end. Just curious. :)

Oh, and I’ll definitely update you all. :)

Well, I haven’t used it with bullet points specifically, but depending on the wording of the question I’ve drawn a chart or diagram either before or after the longer explanation. I think bullets would be a nice summary of your summary right at the very end. :)

Thanks, I think I might do that, as much for my study purposes as for the paper itself. :)
I feel kind of silly asking for help on something as simple as a chapter summary but you all have helped me think critically about what I’ve already done and really get into ‘school brain’ mode, and I’ve already rewritten half. Thanks all. :)

Oh my fucking Christ I hate homework. Who makes people summarize 45 pages?! Honestly!

You might be writing too much in your summary, then. Maybe? Just a thought.

Well I managed to condense 45 pages down to two. He said he had no length limitations, so overall, I think it’s fine. But what were you thinking would be an appropriate length?

No, I was just thinking that when you said “Who makes people summarize 45 pages?!” that you were complaining about the length of the assignment as if you were maybe writing a bit too much and paraphrasing instead of summarizing. One to two pages should be fine.

Ah, thank god. I’m too damn tired to change it now anyway, and like all fantastic products of college education, it’s due in three hours. :)

Thanks for clarifying. :)

90% of the work in life gets done in the last 10% of the time allotted. :^>

Word.

So i think its time to wake up your professor!

As a sociology grad student and teaching assistant, I have found that if a prof wants a list or bullet point, s/he asks for an “outline.” Otherwise, s/he expects something in sentence and paragraph form.

It’s just a summary. Calm down.

The paper was already turned in, the issue had been dealt with and as far as calming down, I was never worked up. Move on, dude.

Again with the random dude who just likes to pop in and harass people, yet he thinks they are the ones who need to get a life.

Hope you got a good grade, asmonet.

@fireside: Seriously. :-/ Thanks, I find out Monday. :)

Wow, imagine the nerve of us all. Talking about something that’s as important to your life as school.

God forbid! :)