Summary

 A summary is a shortened passage, which retains

the essential information of the original.

It is a fairly brief restatement --- in your own words

---of the contents of a passage.

Note: you simply report back what the writer has said,
without making value judgments.
 Can be understood without reference to the
original.

Is a faithful reproduction of, or contains only the

ideas or information of, the original.

Is brief without unnecessary detail.

Is a readable unified whole.
Techniques in summary writing
1. Paraphrasing – completely and correctly expressing
other people’s ideas in one’s own words.
EXAMPLE:
Prevention is better than cure.
PARAPHRASE:
It is better to prevent something unpleasant from happening
than try to put it right afterwards.
How to paraphrase?

• Read the original carefully and comprehend

its meaning wholly and correctly.

• Consider the original article as a whole, not in

isolated sentences.
Techniques in summary writing

2. Grasping the central ideas.

Techniques in summary writing
3. Condensation
3.1 Use synonyms or synonymous phrases
EXAMPLE:
He had a good command of English.
CONDENSED:
He knew English very well.
 3.2 Change the structure of simple sentences
EXAMPLE:
My brother has an appreciation of modern
art.
CONDENSED:
My brother appreciates modern art.
 3.3 Turn complex sentences into simple
sentences
EXAMPLE:
He received a welcome that was as cold as
ice.
CONDENSED:
He received an icy welcome.
 3.4 Combine sentences
EXAMPLE:
Hurry up. If you don’t, you’ll miss the train.
CONDENSED:
Hurry up or you’ll miss the train.
Techniques in summary writing

4. Finding the topic sentence and making

an outline
Elements of a summary

1.Proper citation
2. Thesis statement
3. Supporting ideas
Grammar and the structure of a summary

•Avoid direct quotation

•Use transitional words
Steps in writing a summary:
1. Read the article
- understand it and find its general theme
2. Reread the article
- divide it into sections and label each
section
3. Write one-sentence summaries
- summarize each section of thought
4. Formulate the thesis statement
- weave a one-sentence section summaries
together
5. Write the first draft
- in the first sentence or two, write the
author’s name, article or chapter’s name,
author’s thesis statement, and then the
summary sentences for each paragraph or
section
 - when writing the draft, express in your own
words to avoid plagiarism and when necessary,
give supporting ideas.
N.B.:
Eliminate unnecessary words and repetitions.
Eliminate personal ideas and inferences.
Use transitions for a smooth and logical flow of
ideas.
Conclude with a “summing up” sentence.
6. Edit the draft
- Consider the following questions:
Are all the important information in the summary?
Am I listing things out?
Am I saying the same thing over and over again?
Have I left out my personal views and ideas?
Does my summary “hang together”?
Is my grammar, punctuation, and spelling correct?

7. Write the final draft

SAMPLE SUMMARY
In the short story “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," author James Thurber
humorously presents a character who fantasizes about himself as a hero enduring
incredibly challenging circumstances. In his real life, Walter Mitty lives an ordinary,
plain life; he is a husband under the control of an overbearing, critical wife.
Thurber uses lively dialogue to give readers an understanding of Mitty's character.
The story takes place over a period of about twenty minutes; during this brief
time, Mitty drives his wife to the hairdresser and runs errands that his wife has
given him while he waits for her. In between his worrying that he is not doing what
she wants him to do, he daydreams about himself as a great surgeon, brilliant
repair technician, expert marksman, and brave military captain. This story shows
that fantasy is often a good alternative to reality.