Characteristics of a Good Characteristics of a Good SummarySummary

BriefBrief CompleteComplete ParaphrasedParaphrased ObjectiveObjective

Steps in Writing a Summary: Steps in Writing a Summary: PrewritingPrewriting

Read the article carefully, making Read the article carefully, making sure you understand the contents.sure you understand the contents.

Annotate the article, noting the Annotate the article, noting the thesis statement and the major thesis statement and the major supporting detailssupporting details

Using your annotations, create an Using your annotations, create an outline that shows the main outline that shows the main organization of the article.organization of the article.

Steps in Writing a Summary: Steps in Writing a Summary: WritingWriting

Begin with a sentence that includesBegin with a sentence that includes• author’s nameauthor’s name• title of the articletitle of the article• thesis of the articlethesis of the article

According to Joe Smith in “Healthy Eating for According to Joe Smith in “Healthy Eating for Life,” the foods we choose to eat influence Life,” the foods we choose to eat influence the length and quality of our lives.the length and quality of our lives.

Joe Smith states in “Healthy Eating for Life” Joe Smith states in “Healthy Eating for Life” that the foods we choose to eat influence that the foods we choose to eat influence the length and quality of our lives.the length and quality of our lives.

Steps in Writing a Summary: Steps in Writing a Summary: WritingWriting

Follow with sentences that Follow with sentences that paraphrase major supporting pointsparaphrase major supporting points• Paraphrase = state in your own wordsParaphrase = state in your own words

Enclose any directly quoted material Enclose any directly quoted material in quotation marksin quotation marks

After the first sentence, refer to the After the first sentence, refer to the author by last name or as “the author by last name or as “the author”author”

• Smith states a diet high in animal fats and sugars Smith states a diet high in animal fats and sugars can lead to obesity and cardiovascular problems.can lead to obesity and cardiovascular problems.

How to Condense a SummaryHow to Condense a Summary

Omit examplesOmit examples Omit restatementsOmit restatements Create lists to combine key points Create lists to combine key points

from multiple sentences or from multiple sentences or paragraphsparagraphs

Steps in Writing a Summary:Steps in Writing a Summary:RevisingRevising

Compare the summary to the original Compare the summary to the original article to make sure you have article to make sure you have included all the important points.included all the important points.

Double check to make sure you have Double check to make sure you have paraphrased the material accurately.paraphrased the material accurately.

Proofread for complete sentences, Proofread for complete sentences, correct grammar, punctuation, and correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.spelling.