Whether we realize it or not, we summarize things all the time in our daily lives; it could be the plot of a film we have seen or the gist of a university lecture we have attended. In an academic or professional setting, the ability to effectively summarize the main points of something we have heard or read is a valuable skill. Here are some useful tips on writing a successful 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.
- maintains good paragraph structure, with a topic sentence identifying the title/author/speaker/etc. The reader must be aware that he or she is reading a summary of an article, video, lecture, etc.
- gives the main points and ONLY the main points--only what the reader needs. Try to omit unnecessary details, dates, figures, etc.
- paraphrases, with no direct quotes from the original source. Do not copy and paste; use your own words.
- is concise, not wordy. A good summary is clear and direct; avoid overly complex or flowery language.
- presents the information in the same order as the original, if possible. is objective. In other words, do not include your opinion unless specifically asked by your instructor to do so.
Review - How to Write a Summary
Shaun explains how to write a summary
Review - How to Write a Summary
Shaun explains how to write a summary
Exercise
Using what you have learned, complete the activity.