A summary is a restatement of someone else's words in your own words, presenting the main information or argument of another writer concisely and clearly.
What is Writing Summaries?
A summary is a restatement of someone else's words in your own words. There are many different kinds of summaries, and they vary according to the degree to which you interpret or analyze the source. Some are pages long, while others are just one or two sentences. However, for all types of summary, the writer is responsible for generally stating, in his or her own words, the main information or argument of another writer.
What are the Purposes of the Summary?
Summaries benefit the reader because they offer a concise, general version of the original information. For a busy reader, summaries provide quick overviews of material. Summaries also show readers that you have understood the general point of a text, and in this way, teachers can test your knowledge. The process of summarizing someone else's material enables you to understand that material better.
What and When to Summarize?
Many student writers tend to quote when they should summarize material. Quote only when the author expresses a point in a particularly telling or interesting language. Otherwise, simply summarize. Use a summary to restate an entire argument. Use a summary to present information.
How to Summarize Effectively
- Read the original passage or text very carefully.
- Use a pencil to highlight or underline what you take to be the main point/points of the original text, or make notes in the margins or on another sheet of paper.
- If you're summarizing an entire essay, outline the writer's arguments.
- These notes and outlines should be brief. Using this list of points, you write down the summary, referring to the original text only when you want to make sure of some point. This will help you to reproduce the substance of the passage in your own words.
What are Summary Conventions?
- Summaries can range in length from two sentences to several pages. What you have to remember is that when you write a summary of something you have read, you make your summary shorter than the original. Usually a summary is one third of the original in length, i.e. if a passage is of 150 words, the summary of it would be about 50 words long.
- In any case, use complete sentences to present the main points or information the text you are describe an author's general points to the reader. Don't quote extensively. If you quote, use quotation marks and document the quotation. If you fail to document the quotation, even one word that the author used, you are plagiarizing material (presenting another person's information as if it were your own).
Key Takeaways
- A summary is a restatement of another writer's main information or argument in your own words.
- Summaries provide quick overviews for busy readers and demonstrate reading comprehension.
- Usually, a summary is about one-third the length of the original text.
- Always use complete sentences and avoid extensive quoting to prevent plagiarism.
Quick Practice
Read a short article or paragraph of your choice, make brief notes of its main points, and write a summary in your own words. Share your practice summary in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions About Writing Summaries
What is a summary?
A summary is a restatement of someone else's words in your own words, capturing the main information or argument of another writer.
How long should a summary be?
Summaries can range in length from two sentences to several pages, but they are generally much shorter than the original source—usually about one-third of the original length.
When should you summarize instead of quote?
You should summarize to present information or an entire argument, and reserve direct quotes only for instances where the author expresses a point in particularly telling or interesting language.