Before beginning this exercise, review the guidelines below for writing a one-paragraph summary.
|
1.
As you read the article, underline the first and
last sentences of each paragraph.
|
Directions: As you read the article, outline the last
sentence of the introduction and the first and last sentences of subsequent
paragraphs.
Alzheimer’s Disease
|
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative and
irreversible brain disorder. It is estimated that 2-5 percent of people over 65
years of age and up to 20 percent of those over 80 years of age suffer from
the disease. Although there have been advances made in the control of this
disease through drugs, it has no definite cure. Patients with Alzheimer’s
disease suffer from disorientation and intellectual and psychological
impairment which eventually lead to death. The exact cause of the disease is
still unknown. However, it has been associated with certain causes that merit
to be studied, as they lead to devastating and sometimes fatal consequences. Various theories have linked the disease to a number of
other causes.
It is believed that the disease can be inherited. People who have a parent or
sibling with Alzheimer’s disease were found to be five times more likely to
develop the disease as compared to those who did not. Some believe that
highly chemically reactive oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, may be
the cause. These, which have been blamed for heart disease and cancer, may
lead to Alzheimer’s. In addition, other theories claim that physical
trauma, such as whiplash injuries, or the body’s immune system may be the
culprit. Alzheimer’s disease is linked to the gradual formation
of plaque in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus and adjoining cortex. As the disease develops, it
destroys chemical messages used by the cells of the brain to communicate with
each other. It is though that the disease either disrupts the production
of an important neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine or stimulates the
over-production of the enzyme cholinesterase, which eliminates the former,
thus, hindering its performance. The rate of decline in Alzheimer patients varies from
patient to patient.
The disease course runs anywhere from three to 20 years, with eight years
being the average life span after diagnosis. However, there are some
well-established features of the disease that can be observed during its
course. The Alzheimer patient suffers from disorientation to time and place
and has difficulty in performing difficult tasks. Some of the more noticeable
symptoms are problems with memory, abstract thinking, and language. In
addition to suffering from decreased judgment and changes in mood and
behaviour, an Alzheimer patient may suffer from sleep disturbance, anxiety,
and depression. Adapted from BBC
News Online Health, October 15, 2000 |
Directions: Examine the first paragraph, which – in most essays –
will be the introductory paragraph. The first sentence should reveal the
general topic, and the final sentence should contain the essay’s thesis and
pattern of organization.
Alzheimer’s
disease is a progressive, degenerative and irreversible brain disorder. It is estimated that 2-5 percent
of people over 65 years of age and up to 20 percent of those over 80 years of
age suffer from the disease. Although there have been advances made in the
control of this disease through drugs, it has no definite cure. Patients with
Alzheimer’s disease suffer from disorientation and intellectual and
psychological impairment which eventually lead to death. The exact cause of the
disease is still unknown. However, it has been associated with certain
causes that merit to be studied, as they lead to devastating and sometimes
fatal consequences.
1.
The
general topic of this essay is probably _____.
a.
brain
disorders
b.
elderly
people
c.
Alzheimer’s
disease
2.
The
pattern of organization is probably _____.
a.
definition
b.
cause
and effect
c.
process
3.
The
thesis is probably _____.
a.
Brain
disorders can be defined according to etiology and symptoms.
b.
Elderly
people are likely candidates for Alzheimer’s disease.
c.
The
devastating effects of Alzheimer’s disease can be linked to several possible
causes.
Directions: Look at the first and last sentences of subsequent
paragraphs. Do their first sentences appear to be main points that support your
tentative thesis? If the initial sentence of the final paragraph appears to paraphrase
the thesis contained in the introductory paragraph, this will be the concluding
paragraph.
Various
theories have linked the disease to a number of other causes. It is believed that the disease
can be inherited. People who have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease
were found to be five times more likely to develop the disease as compared to those
who did not. Some believe that highly chemically reactive oxygen molecules,
known as free radicals, may be the cause. These, which have been blamed for
heart disease and cancer, may lead to Alzheimer’s. In addition, other
theories claim that physical trauma, such as whiplash injuries, or the body’s
immune system may be the culprit.
4.
The
topic of this paragraph is _____.
a.
There
are three specific causes of Alzheimer’s disease.
b.
Although
scientists are unsure of its specific etiology, they have linked it to three
possible causes.
c.
People
whose family members have Alzheimer’s disease are five times more likely to
develop it compared to those who do not.
5.
Is
this a main point that supports the article’s thesis?
a.
Yes
b.
No
Alzheimer’s
disease is linked to the gradual formation of plaque in the brain, particularly
in the hippocampus and adjoining cortex. As the disease develops, it destroys chemical messages
used by the cells of the brain to communicate with each other. It is though
that the disease either disrupts the production of an important
neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine or stimulates the over-production of
the enzyme cholinesterase, which eliminates the former, thus, hindering its
performance.
6.
The
topic of this paragraph is _____.
a.
Plaque
formation is a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
b.
One
effect of Alzheimer’s disease is plaque formation in the brain.
c.
Chemicals
messages are necessary for communication in the brain.
7.
Is
this a main point that supports the article’s thesis?
a.
Yes
b.
No
The
rate of decline in Alzheimer patients varies from patient to patient. The disease course runs anywhere
from three to 20 years, with eight years being the average life span after
diagnosis. However, there are some well-established features of the disease
that can be observed during its course. The Alzheimer patient suffers from
disorientation to time and place and has difficulty in performing difficult
tasks. Some of the more noticeable symptoms are problems with memory, abstract
thinking, and language. In addition to suffering from decreased judgment and
changes in mood and behaviour, an Alzheimer patient may suffer from sleep
disturbance, anxiety, and depression.
8.
Based
on the reading, what can you logically infer as the topic of this paragraph?
a.
Alzheimer’s
disease leads to two effects.
b.
Alzheimer
patients live from three to 20 years.
c.
Alzheimer
patients are disoriented and have other mental problems.
9.
Is
this a main point that supports the article’s thesis, or is this a restatement
of the thesis contained in the introduction?
a.
main
point that supports the article’s thesis
b.
restatement
of the thesis contained in the introduction
Directions: As you reread the body paragraphs, look for major
supports.
1Various theories have linked the
disease to a number of other causes. 2It
is believed that the disease can be inherited. 3People who
have a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease were found to be five times
more likely to develop the disease as compared to those who did not. 4Some
believe that highly chemically reactive oxygen molecules, known as free
radicals, may be the cause. 5These, which have been blamed
for heart disease and cancer, may lead to Alzheimer’s. 6In
addition, other theories claim that physical trauma, such as whiplash injuries,
or the body’s immune system may be the culprit.
10.
How
many possible causes (major supports) are identified?
a.
2
b.
3
c.
4
11.
What
are the possible causes?
a.
siblings,
free radicals, heart disease, and cancer
b.
inheritance,
free radicals, and whiplash
c. inheritance, free radicals, and physical trauma
12.
Which
sentences should be excluded because they include details?
a.
sentences
1 and 2
b.
sentences
3 and 4
c.
sentences
3 and 5
1Alzheimer’s disease is linked to
the gradual formation of plaque in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus
and adjoining cortex. 2As the disease develops, it destroys
chemical messages used by the cells of the brain to communicate with each
other. 3It is though that the disease either disrupts the
production of an important neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine or
stimulates the over-production of the enzyme cholinesterase, which eliminates the
former, thus, hindering its performance.
13.
How
many effects (major supports) are identified?
a.
2
b.
3
c.
1
14.
What
are the effects?
a.
formation
of the hippocampus and adjoining cortex
b.
chemical
destruction, plaque formation, over-production of cholinesterase
c.
destruction
of chemical messages in the brain
15.
Which
sentences should be excluded because they include details?
a.
sentence
1
b.
sentence
2
c.
sentence
3
1The rate of decline in Alzheimer
patients varies from patient to patient. 2The disease course
runs anywhere from three to 20 years, with eight years being the average life
span after diagnosis. 3However, there are some
well-established features of the disease that can be observed during its
course. 4The Alzheimer patient suffers from disorientation to
time and place and has difficulty in performing difficult tasks. 5Some
of the more noticeable symptoms are problems with memory, abstract thinking,
and language. 6In addition to suffering from decreased
judgment and changes in mood and behaviour, an Alzheimer patient may suffer
from sleep disturbance, anxiety, and depression.
16.
How
many effects (major supports) are identified?
a.
1
b.
2
c.
3
17.
What
are the effects?
a.
life
expectancy
b.
life
expectancy and mental symptoms
c.
life
expectancy, mental symptoms, and depression
18.
Which
sentence contains details that should be excluded?
a.
sentence
1
b.
sentence
2
c.
sentence
3
Directions: Without looking the outlined sentences, write a
paragraph based on your outline. It should include the article’s thesis, main
points, and major supports. Be sure to include the original article’s title and
author.
19.
Which
of the following paragraphs best summarizes the original article?
a.
The
three possible causes of Alzheimer’s disease lead to devastating effects. Although
scientists are currently unsure of its specific etiology, they have linked Alzheimer’s
disease to three possible causes. Possible culprits are inheritance, free
radicals, and physical trauma. While the causes are uncertain, there are
clearly identifiable effects. As plaque in the brain continues to form, neural
cell communication is destroyed. The destruction is due to either disruption/under-production
of acetylcholine or over-production of cholinesterase. Although progression of
the disease varies in patients, certain features are clear. Their cognitive and
oral skills gradually deteriorate, as do their moods.
b.
In
“Alzheimer’s Disease,” the unknown author discusses the possible causes of this
progressively degenerative brain disorder and their devastating effects on its
victims. This disease affects at least 20 percent of elderly people who are
over 80 years old. Although scientists are currently unsure of its specific
etiology, they have linked Alzheimer’s disease to three possible causes. Possible
culprits are inheritance, free radicals, and physical trauma. While the causes
are uncertain, there are clearly identifiable effects. As plaque in the brain
continues to form, neural cell communication is destroyed. The destruction is
due to either disruption/under-production of acetylcholine or over-production
of cholinesterase. Although progression of the disease varies in patients, certain
features are clear. Their cognitive and oral skills gradually deteriorate, as
do their moods.
c.
In
“Alzheimer’s Disease,” the unknown author discusses the possible causes of this
progressively degenerative brain disorder and their devastating effects on its
victims. Although scientists are currently unsure of its specific etiology,
they have linked Alzheimer’s disease to three possible causes. Possible
culprits are inheritance, free radicals, and physical trauma. While the causes
are uncertain, there are clearly identifiable effects. As plaque in the brain
continues to form, chemical cell communication in the brain is destroyed. Although
progression of the disease varies in patients, there are additional effects of
Alzheimer’s. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is eight years. In
addition, certain symptoms related to deterioration of cognitive skills appear.
Patients’ memories and behavior gradually deteriorate, as do their moods.
d.
In
“Alzheimer’s Disease,” the unknown author discusses the possible causes of this
progressively degenerative brain disorder and their devastating effects on its
victims. Although scientists are currently unsure of its specific etiology,
they have linked Alzheimer’s disease to three possible causes. Possible
culprits are inheritance, free radicals, and physical trauma. The destruction
is due to either disruption/under-production of acetylcholine or
over-production of cholinesterase. Although progression of the disease varies
in patients, certain features are clear. Their cognitive and oral skills
gradually deteriorate, as do their moods. While the causes are uncertain, there
are clearly identifiable effects. As plaque in the brain continues to form,
neural cell communication is destroyed.
20.
Referring
to question 19, why is this the best summary?
a.
It
contains the name of the article’s title and author.
b.
It
contains the thesis, main points, and major supports of the original article,
but it does not contain minor points.
c.
All
information is presented in the order they are listed in the original article.
d.
All
of the above