Introduction
Writing a summary can be an effective way to make sense of a lengthy article or book. Summarizing involves taking the key points and arguments from a piece of text and presenting them in a concise form. Summaries can be written for various purposes, such as to help others understand a text quickly, or to provide a summary of a text for a research paper.
Definition of a Summary
A summary is a brief overview of the main ideas and arguments presented in a text. It should include the key points and arguments made by the author, without going into too much detail. As Harvard University’s Writing Center explains, the goal of a summary “is to convey an understanding of the essential information contained in the original text.”
Purpose of Writing a Summary
Summaries can be used for a variety of reasons. For instance, they can help readers quickly grasp the main points of a longer text, or they can provide a condensed version of a text for use in a research paper or other project. According to the University of California, Berkeley, “a summary should be much shorter than the original document, often about 1/3 as long as the original.”
Outline the Main Points of the Original Article
The first step in writing a summary is to read the text carefully and identify the main points and supporting details. Take notes on the key themes and arguments that are presented in the text. Note any examples or evidence that are used to support the author’s claims. This will help you to understand the text more fully and will also make it easier to write a concise summary.
Identify the Key Arguments within the Original Text
Once you have identified the main points of the text, you should then determine the author’s point of view and analyze the logical flow of arguments that are presented. Consider how the author has structured their argument and the evidence they have used to support it. This will help you to identify the key arguments and ideas that need to be included in the summary.
Think About How the Summary Should Be Structured
Before writing the summary, consider the length and purpose of the summary. Ask yourself what information needs to be included in order to effectively convey the main points of the text. This will help you to decide how to structure the summary and which points should be emphasized. It is also important to organize the summary into paragraphs, with each paragraph focusing on a different point.
Begin with a Strong Opening Sentence that Captures the Main Idea of the Article
The opening sentence of the summary should capture the main idea of the text. This will give readers an immediate understanding of the text’s purpose and content. Begin by introducing the author and title of the text, and then explain the main point or argument that the author is making. This will provide readers with an overview of the text and will set the tone for the rest of the summary.
Focus on the Main Ideas and Avoid Adding Too Much Detail
When summarizing a text, it is important to focus on the main ideas rather than providing too much detail. Use your own words to describe the content, rather than quoting directly from the original text. This will help to ensure that the summary is concise and easy to understand.
End the Summary with a Concise Conclusion that Ties Together the Main Points
The conclusion of the summary should briefly review the main points of the text and summarize the results and conclusions. Revisit the main ideas and arguments that were made in the text and explain how they fit together. This will help to provide a clear overview of the text’s content and will help readers to understand the key points.
Conclusion
Writing a summary can be a useful way to make sense of a lengthy article or book. By following these steps, you can create an effective summary that captures the main points and arguments of a text. Start by outlining the main points of the text, identify the key arguments, and consider how the summary should be structured. Begin with a strong opening sentence that captures the main idea of the article, and focus on the main ideas while avoiding adding too much detail. Finally, end the summary with a concise conclusion that ties together the main points.
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