How to Write a Summary

[ Read the passage carefully to determine the author's purpose in writing. (This will help you to distinguish between more important and less important information.)

[ Reread, label, and underline. This time divide the passage into sections or stages of thought. The author's use of paragraphing will often be a useful guide. Label, on the passage 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.

[ Write a thesis—in other words, write a one-sentence summary of the entire passage. The thesis should express the central idea of the passage, as you have determined it from the preceding steps. Another way of coming up with this thesis sentence is to summarize in a sentence the author's conclusion.

[ Write the first draft of your summary by (1) combining the thesis sentence you created with your list of one-sentence summaries.  Try to eliminate repetition. Eliminate less important information. Disregard minor details, or generalize them. Use as few words as possible to convey the main ideas.

[ Check your summary against the original passage, and make whatever adjustments are necessary for accuracy and completeness.

[ Revise your summary, inserting transitional words and phrases where necessary to ensure coherence. Check for style. Avoid series of short, choppy sentences. Combine sentences for a smooth, logical flow of ideas. Check for grammatical correctness, punctuation, and spelling.

Adapted from Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum, by L. Behrens and L. Rosen.