The ability to summarize the main points of an essay, article, or lecture is an essential academic skill. Here are some useful tips on writing a good summary:
A Good Summary
- is clear to someone who has not read/watched/heard the original source material. Always assume the reader is unfamiliar with the book/film/article/etc that you are summarizing.
- follows paragraph structure, with a topic sentence stating the title/author/speaker/etc. The reader must be aware that he or she is reading a summary and not original ideas.
- gives the main points and only the main points. Leave out unnecessary details, figures, etc.
- paraphrases, with no direct quotes from the original source. Do not copy and paste; use your own words.
- is not wordy. A good summary is clear and direct.
- presents the information in the same order as the original, if possible.
- is objective. Do not include your opinion unless your instructor asks you to do so.
Review - How to write a summary
Shauns explains how to write a summary
Discussion
Work with a partner or group and discuss the following questions:
- Do you think the use of social media affects the mental health of a person?
- What do you think about people who "share too much"?
- Why do so many people spend so much time posting pictures and updates on Facebook?
Article
You are going to read and summarize an article from The Atlantic.
Exercise
Using what you have learned about summarizing, complete the activity.