Summary Writing
Summary Writing
Summary
Summary writing is a very important skill in university classes. Teachers will ask you to write summaries of articles, textbook chapters, books, and even movies. In addition, you will also
have to give summaries orally, to see whether or not you understood the text.
Remember these things when writing a summary:
• Include ONLY the main points. Do not include unnecessary details.
• Write IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Copying parts of the text shows that you have not
understood the text, only that you can repeat it. It can also be considered cheating.
• Do not include your opinion. A summary is objective.
• Summaries are SHORT. You may summarize 5-6 pages of academic text in one paragraph.
• Summaries should be ACCURATE and COMPLETE. This is where careful reading is so important. Your summary should show that you fully understand the ENTIRE article. You may need to read an article or text several times and discuss it with someone before writing a summary.
Sample text
A penny for your thoughts? If it’s a 1943 copper penny, it could be worth as much as fifty thousand dollars. In
1943, most pennies were made out of steel since copper was needed for World War I, so the 1943 copper penny is
ultra-rare. Another rarity is the 1955 double-die penny. These pennies were mistakenly double stamped, so they have
overlapping dates and letters. If it’s uncirculated, it would easily fetch $25,000 at an auction. Now that’s a pretty penny.
BAD summary #1:
This text is about pennies.
What’s wrong with this summary?
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
BAD summary #2:
Copper was hard to get during World War II, so there aren’t many pennies from that time.
The 1955 double die penny is worth a lot too. These pennies were stamped twice by
accident.
What’s wrong with this summary?
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
BAD summary #2:
Copper was hard to get during World War II, so there aren’t many pennies from that time.
The 1955 double die penny is worth a lot too. These pennies were stamped twice by
accident.
What’s wrong with this summary?
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
BAD summary #3:
Some pennies are worth a lot of money. If it’s a 1943 copper penny, it might be worth up to
$50,000. That’s because in 1943, most pennies were made out of steel. Another rare penny
is the 1955 double-die penny. It might get $25,000 at an auction.
What’s wrong with this summary?
1. _______________________________________
2. _______________________________________
GOOD summary:
This text is about two very rare and valuable pennies: the 1943 copper penny and the 1955
double die penny.
This summary:
• Includes main ideas.
• Doesn’t include unnecessary information
• Is a complete sentence.
