How to Write a Summary with Guidelines and Examples

Writing a summary involves condensing the main points or ideas of a text into a shorter version while maintaining the key information.

Here’s a general guide on how to write a summary:

• Read the Text Well:
  • Take your time reading. Make sure you understand what the words are saying.
• Find the Main Idea:
  • Figure out what the story or article is mostly talking about. What’s the big thing it wants you to know?
• Pick Important Parts:
  • Choose the parts that help explain the main idea. These could be facts, examples, or reasons the author gives.
• Shorten the Info:
  • Make it shorter by taking out things that aren’t really needed. Keep only what helps explain the main idea.
• Say it in Your Own Words:
  • Now, explain what you read using your own words. Don’t use the exact same words from the text.
• Put it in Order:
  • Arrange your explanation in the same order as the original. Start with the beginning, then talk about the middle, and finish with the end.
• Don’t Forget Details:
  • Remember to include important details that help tell the story. Details make your explanation interesting.
• Check if it’s Right:
  • Look over what you wrote. Does it really talk about the main points? Check if it makes sense.
• Be Fair:
  • Just talk about what’s in the text. Don’t say what you think about it. Be fair and stick to the facts.
• Think about Length:
  • If there’s a limit on how many words you can use, make sure your explanation is not too long. Follow the rules.
• Read Again and Fix:
  • Read it again. Fix any mistakes you find. Make sure everything flows well and makes sense.
• No New Stuff:
  • Only talk about things from the original text. Don’t add new things that weren’t there.
• Say Who Wrote It:
  • If you’re talking about a book or article, say who wrote it. Give credit to the author.
• Use Words that Connect Ideas:
  1. Use words like “and,” “but,” or “so” to connect your ideas. This helps your explanation sound smooth.
• Last Check:
  • Before you show it to someone, check for spelling or grammar mistakes. Make sure everything looks good.

Remember, it’s like telling a friend about a cool story. Keep it simple and clear!

When usually write a summary

You might write a summary when you want to:

• Understand Better:
  • When you read something, like a story or an article, and you want to make sure you really get what it’s about.
• Explain to Others:
  • If you read something cool and want to tell your friend about it but don’t want to say every single detail, you can give them a shorter version.
• Study for a Test:
  • When you have a lot to read for school and you need a quick way to remember the important stuff. A summary helps you remember the main ideas.
• Help with Homework:
  • If you have to answer questions or write about something you read, making a summary first can help organize your thoughts.
• Save Time:
  • When you’re busy and don’t have a lot of time. Summarizing lets you understand the main points without reading the whole thing again.
• Share on Social Media:
  • If you find an interesting article or post online, you might want to share a short version with your friends. Summaries are great for that.
• Write Book Reports:
  • When you have to write about a book for class, a summary is like the short version of what happened in the story.
• Get the Point Across:
  • If you’re talking about something important in a meeting or with your family, giving a quick summary helps everyone understand without going into too much detail.
• Remember Details:
  • When you want to remember the important parts of a movie or show, making a summary can help you keep the story in your mind.
• Share News:
  • When you read a news article and want to tell someone the key points without going into all the details.

Remember, a summary is like the short and sweet version of something you read or experienced. It helps you remember, explain, and share the main ideas easily.

Here, I write a scientific article for summaries as a example-

Article: “How Plants Grow in Different Light Conditions”

Intro: Scientists are curious about how plants grow when they get different amounts of light. In this study, we want to see if more light makes plants grow better.

How We Checked: We set up a cool experiment with different groups of plants. Some got lots of sunlight, some got a little, and some were in the shade. We watched them closely and measured how tall they grew and how many leaves they had.

What We Found: Plants really like sunlight! The ones that got more sunlight grew taller and had more leaves. But, even the ones with a little light did okay. They were not as tall, but they still grew.

Why It Matters: Understanding how light affects plants helps us know what they need to be healthy. It's like learning the best recipe for plants to grow big and strong.

Conclusion: Our experiment shows that more sunlight is great for plants, but even a little light helps them grow. This helps us take better care of our plants and make sure they're happy and healthy.

Summary of this article: “How Plants Grow in Different Light Conditions“

This study looked at how plants grow when they get different amounts of sunlight. They set up groups of plants—some with lots of sunlight, some with a little, and some in the shade. The ones with more sunlight grew taller and had more leaves. Even the ones with a little light did okay, just not as tall. This helps us know that plants really like sunlight, and it's like finding the best recipe for them to grow well. In short, more sunlight is great for plants, but even a little bit helps them grow, making our plants happy and healthy.

Always asked questions about summarizing

Q: What is a summary?

A: A summary is a short version of a longer piece of writing. It includes the main points and important details but is much shorter than the original.

Q: Why do we write summaries?

A: Summaries help convey the key ideas of a text in a shorter form. They are useful for understanding, remembering, and sharing information without going through the entire content.

Q: How do I start writing a summary?

A: Start by reading the text carefully to understand the main idea. Identify key points, supporting details, and the overall structure of the content.

Q: Should I include my opinions in a summary?

A: No, a summary should be objective and focus on presenting the author’s ideas. Avoid adding personal opinions; stick to the facts from the original text.

Q: How long should a summary be?

A: The length of a summary depends on the guidelines or requirements. Generally, it is much shorter than the original text, capturing the essential information in a concise manner.

Q: Can I use the same words as the original text in my summary?

A: It’s better to use your own words when writing a summary. Paraphrasing the information helps you understand and express the ideas in a way that makes sense to you.

Q: What is the importance of organizing information in a summary?

A: Organizing information in a logical order helps the reader follow the flow of ideas. It makes the summary clear and easy to understand.

Q: How do I know if my summary is accurate?

A: Check that your summary reflects the main points and ideas of the original text. Compare it to the original to ensure accuracy.

Q: Can I add new information in my summary?

A: No, a summary should only include information from the original text. Avoid introducing new ideas or details.

Q: Should I edit and revise my summary?

A: Yes, it’s important to review and revise your summary for clarity and coherence. Check for errors in grammar, spelling, and punctuation before finalizing.