How to Write a Summary: Tips and Tricks

Task

Write a 200-word summary of the article provided. You should begin by reading the article carefully.

If necessary, look up unfamiliar words in the dictionary.

As you read, underline the thesis statement and main ideas.

Write notes on the main ideas either in the margins of the article itself or on a separate page of notepaper.

When you have finished reading and annotating the article, write your summary. Remember to proofread.

Things to remember about summary writing:

Begin with a framing statement that introduces the article, the author, and the gist of the article as a whole

Include the main points in the article (as many as possible)

Put the ideas into your own words: do not copy or quote

You may keep the ideas in the same order as in the original article

Do not add information that is not in the article itself

Omit small details, figurative language, jokes, statistics, dialogue, digressions, and so on Give your summary a title.