How to Write Summaries

• Read the original passage carefully. Determine its structure. Identify the author’s purpose in writing (this will help you to distinguish between more important and less important information.)

• Reread. 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 – a one-sentence summary of the entire passage. The thesis should express the central idea of the passage. You may find it helpful to keep in mind the information contained in the lead sentence or paragraph of most newspaper stories – the what, who, why, where, when, and how of the matter. For persuasive passages summarize in a sentence the author’s conclusion. For descriptive passages indicate the subject of the description and its key feature(s). Note: In some cases a suitable thesis may already be in the original passage. If so, you may quote it directly in your summary by using quotation marks.

• Write the first draft of your summary by (1) combining the thesis with your list of one-sentence summaries or (2) combining the thesis with one-sentence summaries plus significant details from the passage. In either case, eliminate repetition. Eliminate less important information. Disregard minor details or generalize them (e.g., Bush and Clinton might be generalized as “recent presidents”). 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.

Taken from Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum, Eds. Behrens and Rosen