Writing A Summary

A summary is a reduced edition of a larger article or writing.  A summary is not a rewording of the original work. It should not be long.  Try to use your own words to express in a few ways the key idea and significant details of the reading.   Your reason for writing the summary is to give the critical ideas of the original piece of material. You must highlight what was it about and what did the writer want to convey?

In looking at the original work, be aware of what or who is the center of attention and ask the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why?  And How?  These questions can help you to write the summary. Use any clue that may help you on the sense of the piece of writing. You should focus on the title, headings, opening and closing lines of paragraphs. Now and then, the essential idea of the writing is made in the introduction or first paragraph, and the supporting ideas of this essential idea are seen one by one in the subsequent paragraphs. At all times read the introductory paragraph attentively and try to find a notion statement.  Finding the notion statement is like finding a treasure.  Normally, the notion, or essential idea, is indirect or suggested.

Remember:

Make your summary brief.

Do not rewrite the original writing.

Refer to the essential ideas of the original writing.

Use your own phrasing.

Write with, who, what, when, where, why and how questions in mind.