how can I analyze articles better?

For my ESL class we have to analyze every week articles. We have to find the main points of the articles and then write it down with my own words what the article is about in one short paragraph. I am really having a hard time with that and it takes me a long time to analyze the articles in order to figure out what the main points are, without being sure that I found them. Can you give me any advise how I can improve myself with that?

Thanks in advance,
Colla26

Greetings!

It's a real challenge to understand the underlying meaning of something written in a foreign language. I've noticed that with my French friends. We don't "get" each others' jokes sometimes, because although we understand the foreign words, the significance of their meaning does not translate well.

First of all, make sure that you understand what the article is saying before you try to start writing. Ask yourself, what is the topic of this article? Why is it important? (why did the author write it?) What event does it describe, or opinion does it express? You might even try "explaining" the article out loud to yourself or someone else. Make sure you understand it well enough to answer those questions for yourself before you even try to write. Then, see if you can find one important point in each paragraph and put it in your own words in once sentence, if possible. These sentences, each summarizing a point from one paragraph (or more than one, depending on how long the article is) will form your one short paragraph.

I hope this helps!

Thanks,

Sarah, EssayForum.com