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Writing a Summary

A summary is condensed version of a larger reading.  A summary is not a rewrite of the original piece and does not have to be long nor should it be long.  To write a summary, use your own words to express briefly  the main idea and relevant details of the piece you have read.   Your purpose in writing the summary is to give the basic ideas of the original reading.  What was it about and what did the author want to communicate? 

While reading the original work, take note of what or who is the focus and ask the usual questions that reporters use: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?  Using these questions to examine what you are reading can help you to write the summary.

Sometimes, the central idea of the piece is stated in the introduction or first paragraph, and the supporting ideas of this central idea are presented one by one in the following paragraphs. Always read the introductory paragraph thoughtfully and look for a thesis statement.  Finding the thesis statement is like finding a key to a locked door.  Frequently, however, the thesis, or central idea, is implied or suggested.  Thus, you will have to work harder to figure out what the author wants readers to understand. Use any hints that may shed light on the meaning of the piece: pay attention to the title and any headings and to the opening and closing lines of paragraphs.

In writing the summary, let your reader know the piece that you are summarizing. Identify the Title.

Remember:

  • Do not rewrite the original piece.
  • Keep your summary short.
  • Use your own wording.
  • Refer to the central and main ideas of the original piece.
  • Read with who, what, when, where, why and how questions in mind.
  • Do not put in your opinion of the issue or topic discussed in the original piece. Often, instructors ask students to put their opinions in a paragraph separate from the summary.

Information obtained from http://homepage.smc.edu/reading_lab/writing_a_summary.htm

How to Summarize

 

  1. Read the article.

  2. Re-read the article. Underline important ideas. Circle key terms. Find the main point of the article. Divide the article into sections or stages of thought, and label each section or stage of thought in the margins. Note the main idea of each paragraph if the article is short.

  3. Write brief summaries of each stage of thought or if appropriate each paragraph. Use a separate piece of paper for this step. This should be a 
    brief outline     of the article. 

  4. Write the main point of the article. Use your own words. This should be a sentence that expresses the central idea of the article as you have determined it the from steps above. 

  5. Write your rough draft of the summary. Combine the information from the first four steps into paragraphs. 
    bullet

    NOTE: Include all the important ideas.
    bullet

    Use the author's key words.

    bullet

    Follow the original organization where possible.

    bullet

    Include any important data.

    bullet

    Include any important conclusions. 

  6. Edit your version. Be concise. Eliminate needless words and repetitions.
    (Avoid using "the author says...," "the author argues...," etc.)
     

  7. Compare your version to the original. 
    bullet

    Do not use quotations, but if you use them be sure to quote
    correctly.  Indicate quotations with quotation marks. Cite each
    quotation correctly (give the page number).

    bullet

    Do not plagiarize. Cite any paraphrases by citing the page number 
    the information appears on. Avoid paraphrasing whenever possible. 
    Use your own words to state the ideas presented in the article.
    (Adapted from Writing Across the Curriculum 4th edition, L. Behrens and L. Rosen, eds., 1991, Harper/Collins, pp. 6-7.)

In the summary, you should include only the information your readers need.

  1. State the main point first.

  2. Use a lower level of technicality than the authors of the original article use. Do not write a summary your readers cannot understand.

  3. Make the summary clear and understandable to someone who has not read the original article. Your summary should stand on its own.

  4. Write a summary rather than a table of contents.
    Wrong: This article covers point X. Then the article covers point Y.
    Right: Glacial advances have been rapid as shown by x, y, and z.
    (    see sample)

  5. Add no new data and none of your own ideas.

  6. Use a simple organization: 
    bullet

    main point

    bullet

    main results: give the main results See sample

    bullet

    conclusions/recommendations
     

  7. Unless the examples in the article are essential, do not include the examples in your summary. If you include them, remember to explain them.  

So when you write a summary:

  1. State the main point first.
  2. Emphasize the main stages of though.
  3. State the article’s conclusion.
  4. Summarize rather than give a table of contents. 
  5. Keep summary short: 3 to 7 sentences.

 Information Retrieved from http://www.class.uidaho.edu/adv_tech_wrt/resources/general/how_to_summarize.htm
 
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