How to write a summary

 

Friday lessons with Uncle Jay

A summary is a shorter version of an original text that outlines the main points in a specific structure.

 

The length of your summary usually depends on the length of the original text.

 

Longer articles or proposals may require longer summaries to address all the ideas, while short texts may have only one paragraph.

A summary serves the purpose of offering a concise explanation of a text, which can help you communicate the most important aspects of a particular text to other people.

Proficient students understand that summarizing, identifying what is most important and restating the text (or other media) in your own words, is an important tool for college success.

After all, if you really know a subject, you will be able to summarize it.

If you cannot summarize a subject, even if you have memorised all the facts about it, you can be absolutely sure that you have not learned it.

 

And, if you truly learn the subject, you will still be able to summarize it months or years from now.

Proficient students may monitor their understanding of a text by summarizing as they read.

They understand that if they can write a one or two-sentence summary of each paragraph after reading it, then that is a good sign that they have correctly understood it.

If they can not summarize the main idea of the paragraph, they know that comprehension has broken down and they need to use fix-up strategies to do so.

Summary writing format

When writing a summary, remember that it should be in the form of a paragraph.

A summary begins with an introductory sentence that states the main point of the text.

A summary is written in your own words.

A summary contains only the ideas of the original text. Do not insert any of your own opinions, interpretations, deductions or comments into a summary.

Identify in order the significant sub-claims the author uses to defend the main point.

Copy word-for-word three separate passages from the essay that you think support and/or defend the main point of the essay as you see it.

Using source material from the essay is important.

 

Why?

 

Because defending claims with source material is what you will be asked to do when writing papers for your college work.

Write a last sentence that “wraps” up your summary; often a simple rephrasing of the main point.

How to go about it

Here are steps you can follow to help you write more effective summaries:

1. Read the text thoroughly

Read the text several times to ensure you understand everything about the author’s message.

 

On the first read, focus simply on reading instead of pausing to take notes.

 

Try to identify the purpose, the supporting argument and any additional details.

 

When you read the text the second time, you can make comments in a notebook or in the margins of the text if you have a physical copy.

2. Take notes to identify the main idea

Write the main points, themes or thesis you recognise in the text.

 

Next, try to find any repetitions in the text.

 

If the author repeats some specific arguments throughout the text, it means they likely are essential.

3. Identify the main arguments

Reread the text more carefully to find elements that support those main points.

 

For example, you can look for repetitions, details referring to the title or descriptions of characters.

4. Prepare your draft

Rephrase those sentences on the side of the page or in your notebook.

 

When you note these elements, consider writing them in your own words and leave out any unimportant details.

 

Write down the author’s first and last name and the title of the article for later reference.

5. Write the summary

You can start your summary with the author’s name and the title of the text.

 

For example, you can use some variation of, “According to Martin Somers in ‘The Child and the Wolf,’” to introduce your text.

 

Then, include the thesis of the author in your first sentence.

Ideally, your first sentence summarizes the text, while the rest of your summary restates the main concepts that support the thesis.

 

It’s essential to use your own words and paraphrase these ideas.

 

Try to make your summary as concise as possible by avoiding examples of unrelated facts.

6. Conclude the summary

Restate the author’s conclusion or last main point to end your summary.

 

Even though a summary is a short text, restating the most important part can help ensure your audience understands what you’re trying to convey.

7. Correct and refine

Once you complete your summary, consider reading it out loud and make any necessary corrections.

Delete any repetition, and try to transition words when necessary to help every sentence flow to the next.

 

Also, check your grammar and spelling to ensure your summary doesn’t have errors.

 

You can have a friend or colleague read your summary to help notice any corrections you may have missed. — www.indeed.com.