Tips for Writing Summaries

The ability to summarize a text is one of the most difficult and most useful skills you can acquire as a student and a writer. A summary condenses information; for example, a summary of an article would be a general overview of the main ideas and arguments of the article with little if any direct quotes from the article. A summary should not include your opinion or analysis of the text; it should include only a condensed version of the text that restates the author’s points in a shorter format—in your own words (very important!) for the convenience of your readers.

Steps to Follow When Writing a Summary

Reviewing Your Summary for Effectiveness

Analyze the effectiveness and accuracy of your summary by responding to the following questions:

Howe Writing Initiative ‧ Farmer School of Business ‧ Miami University

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