Summary Writing Note

Summarizing
Getting to the Point

Learning Objectives
• Identify main points of an informative essay
based on the question given.
• Paraphrase short sentences while retaining the
meaning of the original sentences, using three
paraphrasing techniques, which are:
• Using synonyms
• Changing word order
• Changing Active Voice Sentences to Passive
Voice Sentences, and vice versa
Recap- Paraphrasing
- Maintain ideas while restating them in the
summary writer's own words
- Identify important information  Translate
ideas into own words.
Three techniques
1.Changing using synonyms (words with the
same meaning)
2.Changing voices (Passive Active)
3.Changing Word Order
Summary
Short account of the central ideas of a text
(Shortening/condensing the text)
Summaries are not a place for…

 Opinions
 Background knowledge
 Personal information
Main Idea and Key Points
1. Main idea - what the text is about.
2. Key points
– arguments/information  support the main
idea.
– supporting details.
Your summary should only include main

ideas and key points, not supporting details.
The reading passage of a summary question is
usually a non-fiction source such as:
• A newspaper or magazine article
• An extract from a biography or autobiography
• A review of a book, film or event
• The transcript of a speech
• A travel journal
• A report or advice editorial
• A web article
You will be expected to either:
Give an account of the ideas or argument

presented in the passage.
or
Extract and summarise key information.
Sometimes the question will ask you to offer a

‘concise account’ or ask you to ‘concisely explain’
Your Answer…
 Should be in complete sentences
 Should cover main point and key
ideas
 Should be in your own words
 Shouldn’t just be a word or two
Example Text
A penny for your thoughts? If it’s a
1943 copper penny, it could be worth as
much as fifty thousand dollars. In 1943,
most pennies were made out of steel since
copper was needed for World so, the 1943
War II, copper
penny is ultra-rare.
. . Anotherthe 1955
rarity
is
double die penny.
. . T These
pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so
they have overlapping dates and letters. If
it’s uncirculated, it’d easily fetch $25,000 at
an auction. Now that’s a pretty penny.
Incorrect Example Response 1
This text is about pennies.
 This response is too short.
 It does not include key ideas.
Incorrect Example Response 2
The 1943 copper penny is worth a lot of
money. Copper was hard to get during the
war so there aren’t many of them. The 1955
double die penny is worth a lot too. These
pennies were stamped twice on accident.
 Too much unnecessary stuff.
 Main idea is not clear.
Correct Example Response
This text is about two very rare and
valuable pennies: the 1943 copper penny
and the 1955 double die penny.
 Includes key information.

 Doesn’t include unnecessary information
 Is a complete sentence.
Important Steps
The easy 8-step method
1. Skimming
• Skim the text you are going

to summarize
• Divide it into sections
• Focus on any headings and
subheadings
• Look at any bold-faced
terms and make sure you
understand them before
you read
2) Read carefully
Now that you’ve prepared, go ahead and read the
selection:
– Read straight through
•At this point, you don’t need to stop to look up

anything that gives you trouble.
•Get a feel for the author’s tone, style, and main
idea.
3) Active Reading
• Rereading should be active
• Underline topic sentences and key facts.
• Label areas that you want to refer to
• Areas that should be avoided because the
details—though they may be interesting—are
too specific.
• Identify areas that you do not understand and try
to clarify those points.
4) Draw a graphic organizer
• Get a “visual” image of what your

summary is going to be about.
• Write down the main idea of each section.
• Make sure that what you have included in
your sentences are key points, not minor
details.
As a general rule, you can cut out:
• Anecdotes
• Case studies
• Other examples for clarification
• Statistics and detailed facts
• Structured repetition for effect

5) Write a THESIS
STATEMENT
• This is the key to any well-written
summary.
• IT clearly communicates what the entire
text was trying to achieve.
• Difficult? Go back to step 4 and make sure
your sentences actually addressed key
points.
A topic sentence is like a . . .
• A ship without its rudder.
• An army without its general.
• A vacation trip without a map.
What’s missing?
The most beautiful flower is the rose
because it comes in so many different
colors. Another beautiful flower is the
daisy which sometimes grows wild.
Spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and
crocuses are also very pretty.
Example
The most beautiful flower is the rose because it comes in
so many different colors. Another beautiful flower is the
daisy which sometimes grows wild. Spring flowers like
tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are also very pretty.
Which of the following topic sentences is the best one for the
above paragraph?
• A. Don’t you just love spring?
• B. The rose is the most loved flower the world over.
• C. There are many lovely flowers to consider for your garden.
6) Ready to write
• Use the thesis statement as the introductory sentence of
your summary
• Add transition words (then, however, also, moreover)
• Write in the present tense.
• Make sure to include the author and title of the work.
• Be concise: a summary should not be equal in length to the
original text.
• If you must use the words of the author, cite them.
• Don't put your own opinions, ideas, or interpretations into the
summary.
• The purpose of writing a summary is to accurately represent
what the author wanted to say, not to provide a critique.
So you should aim to cut the word count
at least in half!
7) Check for
accuracy
• Reread your summary and make sure:
• that you have accurately represented
the author’s ideas and key points
• that you have correctly cited anything
directly quoted from the text
• your text does not contain your own
commentary on the piece.
Your opinion
about the
passage
content should
NOT appear in
your outline
Can you spot the trap you could fall
into?
‘’The Simpsons’ for example is a highly
overrated TV show aimed at the brain dead
MTV generation. Like so much media
entertainment today it appeals to the lowest
common denominator and offers little worthy
of serious contemplation. Great programming
must do more than amuse – it must educate. ’’
Is this correct? Why?
The writer clearly has no taste or

appreciation for great popular cultural
texts because he suggests that ‘The
Simpsons’ is..... oops”!
The writer suggests that modern
programming fails to challenge or
educate its audience.
8) Revise
• For style, grammar, and punctuation
• Give your summary to someone else to
read.
• This person should be able to understand
the main text based
on your summary alone.
Format
1. The introduction (usually one sentence)
– One-sentence general statement that
sums up the main points of the text.
– This statement is not your main point; it is
the opening sentence which introduces the
main points.
– Gives the title of the source or the name of
the author.

2. The body of a summary
(one or more paragraphs)
• This part paraphrases and condenses the
original text.
• It includes important points but omits
supporting details.
• It organizes main points in sequential order.
• It sees the use of connectives in presenting
the main ideas.
3. There is usually no
concluding paragraph
• After you have summarized the original text,
your summary is complete.
• Do not add your own concluding paragraph
in which you offers your personal opinions or
suggestions.
• However you may add a sentence to
conclude your summary.
Concluding sentence
You might want to use the following:
•Finally,...
•In the closing lines, the writer...
•The author concludes by...
•The article ends with...
•The writer’s position is brought to a
close by...
Plenary
• What makes a good summary? Share

your opinions.
To summarise –
a good summary is:
ARTIIC
CULATE

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Summarizing

Getting to the Point

Summaries are not a place for…

Your summary should only include main

• A newspaper or magazine article

• An extract from a biography or autobiography

• A review of a book, film or event

• The transcript of a speech

• A report or advice editorial

Give an account of the ideas or argument

Extract and summarise key information.

Sometimes the question will ask you to offer a

 Includes key information.

• Skim the text you are going

•At this point, you don’t need to stop to look up

• Get a “visual” image of what your

• Other examples for clarification

• Statistics and detailed facts

• Structured repetition for effect

The writer clearly has no taste or

• What makes a good summary? Share

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