How to Write a Summary:
Summarizing is a critical reading and study
skills. Fortunately it is easily learned. It involves taking an original
piece of writing and shrinking it so that it contains only the
most important information. The main point the author makes is very clearly
indicated, and so is each major supporting examples that talk about
that main point. Do not include fine detail since a summary’s purpose is make
the original clearer by cutting down information. A summary is shorter than the
original.
Length? Summaries for most academic work will be about 20% the length of original; this means one page of writing for every page of an essay you read, or one paragraph of your writing for every five paragraphs of the author’s writing. This is a “rule of thumb”
which means that your summary may be a little longer or a little shorter than this.
Use Your Words: Summaries are in your own words—they are not made up of “cut and paste” sentences or words that the author wrote. Your words interpret the author's ideas and do not simply restate them.
Steps to Write a Summary:
- Read the original in depth. This may mean that you must read it two,
three or more times—totally or in part. To retell the meaning in a summary, of course you need to completely and accurately understand the original--each paragraph and each idea.
- Take notes (annotate) for each paragraph; underline or highlight the important sentences and make notes in the margins to simplify the author's ideas and to remind you of where information is located.
- Begin a draft of the summary: write one or more sentences for each
paragraph or group of related paragraphs. Keep the main idea and the
important details that tell about it. Don't include the small things.
- Tell the main idea (called a thesis) early in the summary, even if the author didn't.
Typically, you will find it directly stated in the first, second, or last paragraphs of the
original piece. If the author never actually states the idea, you must figure out what the message is and write it as the main part of your summary.
- Tell the most important supporting details that
the author wants to show readers and use examples only if they are a main part
of the author's point.
- Know that you will have a rough draft (or two or more) of the summary. It is rare
to be able to write a final summary in one try because you usually have to cross things out and add things you left out, as well. It is up to you to put the author's ideas in an order that will make sense to your reader, this order could be different that the author's order in the original. That is fine!
- Eliminate repetitions and make the writing "flow"
well so that it is not choppy. Use appropriate transitional
words or phrases to show the connection of ideas. (Words like first, then, after that, second, third, next…) Your final product must read smoothly and reflect the information in the original accurately.
- Remember--The author's ideas are summarized, not your
opinion about them.
*Below is the Powerpoint we view in class about summarizing. Use it as needed.
three or more times—totally or in part. To retell the meaning in a summary, of course you need to completely and accurately understand the original--each paragraph and each idea.
paragraph or group of related paragraphs. Keep the main idea and the
important details that tell about it. Don't include the small things.
Typically, you will find it directly stated in the first, second, or last paragraphs of the
original piece. If the author never actually states the idea, you must figure out what the message is and write it as the main part of your summary.
the author wants to show readers and use examples only if they are a main part
of the author's point.
to be able to write a final summary in one try because you usually have to cross things out and add things you left out, as well. It is up to you to put the author's ideas in an order that will make sense to your reader, this order could be different that the author's order in the original. That is fine!
well so that it is not choppy. Use appropriate transitional
words or phrases to show the connection of ideas. (Words like first, then, after that, second, third, next…) Your final product must read smoothly and reflect the information in the original accurately.
opinion about them.
summarizing_2_ppoint.ppt | |
File Size: | 470 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
*Here is a youtube "how to summarize" video (sort of) from a community college English program:
Summary Assignment and granding rubric standards:
summary_assignment-two_news_articles.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
summary_rubric.docx | |
File Size: | 19 kb |
File Type: | docx |