WRITING A SUMMARYWhat is a summary? How do you write one?

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Warm-Up

Look at the picture. What do you see?

Discuss Response

What is the main idea? What are some details?

Main Ideas vs. Details

Main Ideas vs. Details

Main idea: Sick woman is making a phone call.

Details: Woman is 20-30 years old, has a pink ice pack on her head, and a blue blanket wrapped around her shoulders; she is holding a green cup and using a corded yellow phone.

You summarized the picture!

When you identify the main idea(s) of a something – in this case a picture – you are summarizing.

What is a summary?In writing, a summary is a short version of a longer text.

A summary tells the main ideas of the longer reading, but leaves out most of the details.

It only includes information from the text. You do not include your opinions.

How long is a summary?

A summary is often only a few sentences.

Are there other names for a summary?

Yes. Sometimes people will use the following words as synonyms for summary:

Abstract Executive Summary

Précis

Let’s practice summarizing a text. What kind of text is it?Hint: Is it fiction or nonfiction? What are the main ideas?Hint: Look at the title, images, and subheadings. What is the purpose ofthe text?Hint: Does it aim to inform, amuse, or persuade?

Sample answers to the questions. What kind of text is it?nonfiction article What are the main ideas?describes how glaciers are formed and tells where they are found What’s the purpose ofthe text? to inform

Now let’s summarize it in writing. Using information from the answers to the previousquestions, here is a sample summary of this text:

SummaryThis one-page nonfictionarticle provides informationabout how glaciers areformed and where they arelocated in the world.

In summary …

For Reference and More Practice …

•Refer to the Writing a Summary Student Reference Sheet.

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