Professional Summary

What is a Professional Summary?

“A professional summary is a highly structured four-sentence
paragraph that acknowledges the rhetorical situation in which
any discourse occurs. The summary records the essential rhetorical
elements involved in writing and in reading discourse: the name
of the speaker/writer, the context of the delivery, the major
assertion, the mode of development and/or support, the stated
and/or apparent purpose, and the relationship established
between the speaker/writer and the audience.”

Woodworth, Margaret K. "The Rhetorical Precis." Rhetoric Review 7.1 (1988): 156-64. ERIC. EBSCO. Web. 27

Oct. 2011.

SENTENCE 1
The first sentence should include:

•the authorʼs name(s)

•the title of the work

•a power verb (such as asserts, argues, suggests, implies,
claims)

•a that-clause containing the major assertion (thesis statement) of the work

Ex: Patrick Sullivan in “An Open Letter to High School
Students about Reading” asserts that one of the most
important things students can do to prepare for college is to
read deeply and for pleasure.

SENTENCE 2
The second sentence should explain :

•how the author develops and/or supports the thesis.

•should include 3 supporting details- how does the author prove his/her main idea?

•should also support the strong verb used in SENTENCE 1.

Ex: Sullivan supports this assertion by citing academic studies,
scientific research, and expert testimony while exploring what it
means to read and to learn “deeply.”

SENTENCE 3

The third sentence should:
• State the authorʼs apparent purpose, followed by an

“in order to” or “in order for” phrase

Ex: The writer concludes that students must read frequently and
with engagement in order to be prepared for college and beyond.

SENTENCE 4

The fourth sentence should:

•Describe the intended audience and/or the relationship the
author establishes with the audience.

•Identify the audience and/or the purpose of the essay.

•Tone

Ex: The writer establishes a conversational tone to convince his

audience of high school students that they must find a way to
enjoy reading and to make it a part of their everyday lives.

Sample Professional Summary

Patrick Sullivan in “An Open Letter to High School Students about
Reading” asserts that one of the most important things students
can do to prepare for college is to ready deeply and for pleasure.
Sullivan supports this assertion by citing academic studies, scientific
research, and expert testimony while exploring what it means to read
and to learn “deeply.” The writer concludes that students must read
frequently and with engagement in order to be prepared for college
and beyond. The writer establishes a conversational tone to convince
his audience of high school students that they must find a way to enjoy
reading and to make it a part of their everyday lives.