1. SUMMARY WRITING
Notes in LINK

2. WHAT IS A SUMMARY? 1. A summary is a shortened, condensed version.
The purpose of a summary is to share the main ideas.
3. Summaries keep the same tone as the original piece or do not contain opinion.
4. Summaries do not require a formal conclusion

3. Characteristics of a Good Summary
Brief (should be much shorter than the original article)
Complete (cover all main points)
Paraphrased (don’t use author’s words)
Objective (don’t add your opinion)

4. Steps in Writing a Summary: Prewriting
Read the article carefully, making sure you understand the contents.
Annotate (take notes) the article, noting the thesis statement and the major supporting details
Using your annotations (notes), create an outline that shows the main organization of the article.

5. Steps in Writing a Summary: Writing
Begin with a sentence that includes
author’s name
title of the article
thesis of the article
According to Joe Smith in “Healthy Eating for Life,” the foods we choose to eat influence the length and quality of our lives.
Joe Smith states in “Healthy Eating for Life” that the foods we choose to eat influence the length and quality of our lives.

6. Steps in Writing a Summary: Writing
Follow with sentences that paraphrase major supporting points
Paraphrase = state in your own words
Enclose any directly quoted material in quotation marks
After the first sentence, refer to the author by last name or as “the author”
Smith states a diet high in animal fats and sugars can lead to obesity and cardiovascular problems.

7. How to Condense a Summary
Omit examples
Omit restatements
Create lists to combine key points from multiple sentences or paragraphs

8. Steps in Writing a Summary: Revising
Compare the summary to the original article to make sure you have included all the important points.
Double check to make sure you have paraphrased the material accurately.
Proofread for complete sentences, correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

10. USE STRONG VERBS tells explains compares
lists shows defines acknowledges evaluates classifies adds defends asserts features depicts identifies entertains confirms names considers offers judges contrasts praises demonstrates provides recommends endorses asks suggests entices

11. YOUR TURN: DIRECTIONS Read the following informational article.
As you read, you may mark the article or make notes.
After reading the article, plan and write a summary of what you have read USING the organizer.
You may reread or go back to the article at any time.