The Summary
Write a Summary-Response Essay about two related chapters from David Sloan Wilson’s Evolution for Everyone. You can choose any two related chapters from Chapter 6 to Chapter 20. Use correct bibliographical referencing and follow the steps outlined below to complete this assignment successfully:
Step 1: Brainstorm and develop an introduction for your summary. Try to draft as many of the elements listed below as possible. When you work to polish your draft towards a final essay, your introduction should mention (not necessarily in this order):
the subject of the two chapters and how they are connected;
the main idea or contention in each chapter;
the players in question, that is, the key experiments and thinkers;
the possible connections between the two chapters.
Your introduction also needs a thesis of your own telling us your overall evaluation of the two chapters, but you may not get to your own thesis idea until you are ready to evaluate the contentions of Wilson’s two chapters. This means that you may not be able to write your thesis idea until after you’ve written your summaries. In practical terms, don’t insist on your own thesis as you begin this assignment. Write the two summaries first if you need to, and then revisit your introduction.
Step 2: Summarize the main points in two to four paragraphs. These points should explain “2” and “3” in your introduction. For example, if you wrote in your introduction, “This chapter examines how insect colonies exemplify evolutionary principles,” you can now explain how it does that. You also can give one or two examples that illustrate this main idea.
You are helping your audience understand the chapters, and real examples usually work best to achieve this aim. However, be careful not to copy too much of the wording of the text directly. Paraphrase as much as you can, and cut out most of the details. The point of the summary is for you to put these ideas into your own words and to reach a better understanding of Wilson’s reasoning.
The Response
Step 3: In two or three paragraphs, give us your response to Wilson’s ideas. That is, explain what you learned from these two chapters, comment on whether you agree or disagree with the ideas presented, and explain why you agree or disagree.
Most importantly, discuss how valid you find Wilson’s arguments in the two chapters, and pay particular attention to his evidence. If you agree with his claims, discuss why. If you object to one of his claims, present reasons for your objections. Use examples and/or direct quotes to support your ideas, and integrate these source-materials into your own writing. Above all, present and discuss your ideas, your response, your evaluation in this section of the essay.
Step 4: In one final paragraph, provide a final evaluation of Wilson’s argumentation. Tell us why you think we should spend time on these two particular chapters, or alternatively, tell us why you think we shouldn’t bother. This paragraph will become your conclusion.
Final Essay 1 should come in between 700 and 1100 words and include all the requirements of a college essay, including citations and references. Longer is fine, shorter probably not. Your outline or rough draft can be any length, and does not need to be complete.
If I encounter a problem downloading your file, I will try to contact you to let you know. However, since this is an accelerated eight-week course, I may not be able to give you comments on a draft if I cannot open your file, so make sure you submit something I can open and read. No Pages files, no Google docs, no shared links! Submit an actual file.
