Characteristics of a Good Characteristics of a Good SummarySummary

BriefBrief CompleteComplete ParaphrasedParaphrased ObjectiveObjective Well structuredWell structured

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 main Annotate the article, noting main ideas and the major supporting ideas and the major supporting detailsdetails

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• the main idea of the articlethe main idea 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 and Structure a How to Condense and Structure a SummarySummary

Omit detailed examplesOmit detailed examples Omit restatementsOmit restatements Eliminate all personal ideas and Eliminate all personal ideas and

inferences inferences Use linking Use linking

words/transitions/discourse markers words/transitions/discourse markers for a smooth and logical flow of ideasfor a smooth and logical flow of ideas

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.