How to Write a Summary
Summary writing is perhaps the best test of comprehension. The summaries that we
will work with are brief -- one paragraph maximum for our purposes -- complete, objective
restatements of the contents of a piece of writing. This type of summary focuses on an
article's (essay, report, etc.) central theme, the main points that support the central
idea and the relationships between them. Also the slant, tone or bias of the piece under
consideration should be indicated; however, the summary does not contain any of your own
ideas, opinions or conclusions. There is no "you" in summary writing. This may
seem simple; it isn't. Most of us are not trained to read carefully; rather we skim and
scan our way through articles, reports, even letters. The steps listed below can you
become an effective summary writer.
 | Read the article carefully. |
| Reread. Divide the article into sections or stages of thought. Label, on the article
itself, each section or stage of thought. Underline key ideas and terms. |
| Write one-sentence summaries, on a separate sheet of paper, of each stage of thought or,
if appropriate, of each paragraph. |
| Write a topic sentence--a one sentence summary of the entire article. This sentence
should express the central idea and contain the author, title and source of the piece.
For example, |
H.G. Wells, in the novel The Time Machine, depicts a gloomy veiw utopia.
| Write the first draft by combining 3 & 4. Eliminate repetition, combine sentences,
and use transitional words and phrases for a smooth and logical flow of ideas. Make sure
title, author and source are indicated in the first couple of sentences. |
| Rewrite, making sure that you have answered who, what, when, why and how. Check for
grammatical and mechanical correctness. Avoid short, choppy sentences. Make sure
"you" are not apparent. |
| Write a concluding sentence that "sums up" what an audience will gain from
reading the article. |
| Title your summary with a title that is your own. |
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