How+to+Write+a+Summary


 * How To Summarize Well:**
 * 1) Read.** Read the article or essay thoroughly. Simply focus and concentrate on reading and learning information. Look for **bold-faced terms** and make sure you understand them
 * 2) Reread.** Rereading should be //active// reading. __Underline topic sentences__ and __key facts__.
 * 3) Take notes.** Use pen and paper or the computer to divide your notes into main ideas and details. Focus on key points, not minor details.**5) 4) Write a thesis statement.** This is the key to any well-written summary. Review the notes from step 4. From them, you should be able to create a thesis statement that clearly communicates the main idea of the text.
 * 5) Ready to write.** At this point, your **first draft is virtually done**. You can use the thesis statement as the introductory sentence of your summary, and your other sentences can make up the body. Make sure that they are **in order**. Add some **transition words** (//then//, //however//, //also//, //moreover//) that help with the overall structure and flow of the summary. And once you are actually putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys!), remember these tips:
 * Write in the present tense.
 * Make sure to include the author and title of the work (or the website)
 * 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. (give him/her credit)
 * **Don't put** your **own opinions**, ideas, or interpretations into the summary.
 * 6) Check for accuracy and revise.** Reread your summary and make sure that you have correctly cited anything directly quoted from the text. Also check to make sure that your text **does not contain** your **own commentary** on the piece.
 * 7) Revise.** Revise it for style, grammar, and punctuation. If you have time, give your summary to someone else to read. This person should be able to understand the main text based on your summary alone. If he or she does not, you may have focused too much on one area of the piece and not enough on the author’s main idea.


 * Summary of a summary from [|www.enotes.com]