A Good Way to Write a Summary

• Preview the passage carefully. Identify the author's purpose in writing. (This will help you distinguish between more important and less important information.)
  
  
• Read. Divide the passage into logical sections. Headings and paragraph breaks will be a useful guide. 
  
  
• Label each section or stage of thought, preferably on the passage itself. Underline key ideas and terms.
  
  
• Write one-sentence summaries on a separate sheet of paper or in the margin, of each section or stage of thought. These sentences should be in your own words.
  
  
• Write a thesis, 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. Note: In some cases, a suitable thesis may already be in the original passage. If so, you may want to quote it directly in your summary. (Don't forget the quotation marks.)
  
  
• Write the first draft of your summary by combining the thesis with your one-sentence summaries OR by combining the thesis with one-sentence summaries plus significant details from the passage. Use as few words as possible to convey the main ideas (but use your own words). Your summary should be significantly shorter than the original passage.
  
  
• Check your summary against the original passage and make whatever adjustments are necessary for accuracy and completeness.
  
  
• Revise your summary. Insert transitional words and phrases where necessary to ensure coherence. Avoid a series of short, choppy sentences. Combine sentences for a smooth, logical flow of ideas. Check for grammatical correctness, punctuation, and spelling.