How to write a summary

A summary is telling the main ideas of the article in your own words. The summary has the following strong aspects:

• It begins with the title and author.

• It is much shorter than the original.

• It focuses on the most important parts of the argument.

• It uses reporting verbs.

• It remains objective.

Sample summary format

Author Tag: You need to start your summary by telling the name of the article and the author. Here are three examples of how to do that. Pay close attention to the punctuation:

1. In “How the Civil War Began," historian John Jones explains... 2. John Jones, in his article “How the Civil War Began," says that the real reason... 3. "How the Civil War Began," by historian John Jones, describes....

First Sentence of Summary: Along with including the author tag, the first sentence of the summary should be the main point of the article. It should answer the question: What is this essay about? (thesis). Example:

In "How the Civil War Began" by John Jones, the author argues that the real reason for the start of the Civil War was not slavery, as many believe, but instead the clash of cultures and greed for cash.

Rest of Summary: The rest of your summary is going to give the reasons and evidence for that main statement. In other words, what is the main point the writer is trying to make and what are the supporting ideas they use to prove their point? Does the author bring up any ideas they disagree with? How do they refute those ideas? Here is a sample sort of sentence.

Useful phrases for summaries

The article/paper presents/deals with/ focuses on/ examines/ describes, etc.

The study/research aims to illustrate/ examines the role of/ explores why/ investigates the effects of/assesses the impact of…on…/ outlines how.. /examines the relationship b/n/ draws attention to/ provides an analysis and evaluation of …, etc.

Further investigations reveal, etc.

The author/writer/historian, etc. states/claims/argues/criticizes/describes/explains/says/persuades/suggests/ reminds/ helps us understand / creates the impression/ mentions/ points out/ concludes/ offers a two-part solution, etc.

The researchers state/claim /report, etc.

The reader is informed, etc.

We are told about/ read, etc.

Samples

A. In the article "Why Doesn't GM Sell Crack?" Michael Moore argues that companies need to be regulated so that they do not take actions that hurt the community or environment. He explains that many people believe that companies should have the right to do whatever will make the most money. However, he disagrees with this philosophy. He gives the example of selling crack, which would be very profitable for companies but bad for the consumers and community. This example shows how the government does make some laws to restrict companies and protect society. Moore points out that most Americans agree that a company should not be able to sell crack just to make a profit. Therefore, he argues, we might extend this reasoning to other harmful actions, such as polluting the environment or treating workers unfairly. Moore believes that companies should be restricted from committing actions that hurt society.

B. In “Someone Is Stealing Your Life” (The LA Weekly, 26 Jan. 1990), Michael Ventura argues that American workers are being treated as slaves, and calls on employers to value the contribution of workers to the success of companies. For the majority of Americans, the ideal that the individual is free to find his or her own happiness is an illusion. Employees have no control over any aspect of their work and the living standards that they are able to achieve by working have declined. Those who wish to control their working lives do so by becoming employers, but in order to become profitable, they have to exploit their workers to the full. The author accepts that successful entrepreneurs deserve high rewards for their hard work and the risks they have taken. He also recognizes the role played by investors. However, he argues that the success of a company derives from the hard work of the employees as well. They deserve to share in the rewards and they should also be involved in major company decisions since these affect their lives. The author asserts that his view is worth of consideration because it is based on his experience in a variety of lower paid jobs, not on academic study.

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