Here are some preliminary steps in writing a summary:
1. Skim the text, noticing and noting the subheadings. If there are no
subheadings, try to divide the text into sections.
2. If you have been assigned the text, consider why. Determine what type
of text you are dealing with-that is, the genre of the source text (e.g.,
a research paper) or perhaps the organization (problem-solution or
general-specific). This can help you identify important information
and focus your reading strategies.
3. Read the text, highlighting important information or taking notes.
4. In your own words, list the points of each relevant section. Try to
write a one-sentence summary of each.
5. List the key support points for the main topic, and include minor
details if necessary.
6. Make sure your notes reflect the strength of the claims or conclusions.
7. Write your reactions or thoughts about the sections you have identified
as important. (Keep in mind that information from sources
should support, but not become or be offered instead of, your own
interpretation and explanation.)
8. Go through the process again. Read the text several times if necessary,
making changes to your notes as appropriate.
The key takeaways here are that when reading to summarize you are trying to understand the
essence of the article. This means that you should not be overly focused on minute details in the
reading, but rather you should understand bigger ideas and ubiquitous themes that the author is
trying to convey. Keep in mind that every article or book published has a goal, and a writing
process by which the author reaches that goal. Your summary should strive to outline that
process and describe the ultimate goal of the work. You should simultaneously use your own
knowledge to evaluate the effectiveness of the book or article and the impact it may have on the
field of research it is addressing.
In summary of this summary on how to summarize, here are some things to keep in mind as you
venture off into the world of academic writing. Graduate level academic summaries are not just a
simple restatement of an article or book, but rather they are critical reflections on the important
elements of an author’s work. We use summaries in graduate school to demonstrate our profound
understanding of complex material. Moreover, we use summaries to then contextualize this
material into our own work ensuring that the source material is meaningfully incorporated.
Academic writing is a collaborative process and academic summarizing is a tool that can help us
to become more effective collaborators.
References:
Swales, J. M., & Feak, C. B. (2004). Academic writing for graduate students: Essential tasks and
skills. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press.