3.5 How To Summarize
The process for writing a summary is similar to that for writing a paraphrase, except summary writing involves leaving out most of the details of the original and highlighting only the key points.
Try using this four-step method for effective summary writing:
Step 1: Read the original text until you understand it fully and separate the most important points from the supporting details.
Ask yourself questions like
- What are the author’s main findings and conclusions?
- How does this information relate to my research topic?
- What do I want my reader to understand about the text?
Additionally, you should
- read the source material several times and take notes as you read;
- identify any words from the original that are essential terminology and cannot or should not be changed;
- check your understanding of any unfamiliar words and concepts in a dictionary.
Why did the baby boom happen? A likely explanation is that during those 20 years, Canadians knew they could afford large families. The postwar economy was robust, the future seemed full of promise, and young couples wanted to share that bright future with a big family. A second reason was the high immigration levels that prevailed during the 1950s. (Foot & Stoffman, 1996)
Step 2: Without looking at the original text, write a first draft of the summary.
Step 3: Compare your summary to the original to ensure it accurately conveys the main ideas in your own words.
Ask yourself:
- Am I presenting the meaning of the original accurately?
- Have I used exact wording from the original unnecessarily?
- Are there words or turns of phrase that are unique to the original that I want to retain and therefore must put in quotation marks?
| Original | Summary — first draft
This summary accurately captures the meaning of the original text but contains supporting details unnecessary for the writer’s purpose and language that is the same as or too similar to the original (see yellow highlighted language), so it does not constitute a successful summary. |
| Why did the baby boom happen? A likely explanation is that during those 20 years, Canadians knew they could afford large families. The postwar economy was robust, the future seemed full of promise, and young couples wanted to share that bright future with a big family. A second reason was the high immigration levels that prevailed during the 1950s. (Foot & Stoffman, 1996) | According to the authors, the baby boom was due to the postwar economy being robust, making young Canadian couples confident they could afford lots of children, and high immigration levels which prevailed during the 1950s. |
Step 4: Revise the summary if necessary. Integrate it into your assignment, making sure it is properly cited.
| Original | Summary — first draft
Accurately captures the meaning of the original, but contains language that is the same as or too similar to the original, so does not constitute a successful summary |
Summary — final draft
Very strong! This summary accurately captures the most important points in the original in fewer and different words. |
| Why did the baby boom happen? A likely explanation is that during those 20 years, Canadians knew they could afford large families. The postwar economy was robust, the future seemed full of promise, and young couples wanted to share that bright future with a big family. A second reason was the high immigration levels that prevailed during the 1950s. (Foot & Stoffman, 1996) | According to the authors, the baby boom was due to the postwar economy being robust, making young Canadian couples confident they could afford lots of children, and high immigration levels which prevailed during the 1950s. | According to Foot and Stoffman (1996), the baby boom was due to healthy economic conditions and steady high immigration. |
