Writing a summary is an essential skill for English learners and writers. A good summary is a brief, clear, and accurate version of a longer text. It conveys the main ideas and key points while omitting unnecessary details. In this article, you’ll learn the steps to write an effective summary, along with helpful tips and examples.
What is a Summary?
A summary is a concise restatement of the main ideas of a text, written in your own words. It captures the essential points of the original material without adding personal opinions, interpretations, or unnecessary details.
Key Features of a Summary:
- Shorter than the original text
- Includes only the main ideas and important details
- Written in your own words
- Neutral and objective
Steps to Write a Summary
1. Read or Listen Carefully
Read or listen to the original text thoroughly to fully understand its meaning. Pay attention to the main ideas, supporting details, and any repeated concepts.
2. Identify the Main Ideas
Highlight or underline the key points in the text. Ask yourself:
- What is the main purpose of the text?
- What are the most important facts or ideas?
3. Take Notes
Write down the main points in your own words. Avoid copying sentences from the original text unless it’s necessary to use a specific term or definition.
4. Organize Your Notes
Arrange your notes in a logical order. Focus on the flow of ideas and how they are connected.
5. Write the Summary
Using your notes, write the summary in complete sentences. Start with a sentence that introduces the text and its purpose, and then include the main ideas in a logical order. Avoid adding your own opinions or interpretations.
6. Revise and Edit
Read your summary to check for clarity, grammar, and spelling. Ensure that the summary is concise and that it accurately reflects the original text.
Examples of Summaries
- Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, largely caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation since the 1800s. Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat, causing the Earth’s surface temperature to rise by 1.2°C since the pre-industrial era, leading to severe consequences like rising sea levels, intense droughts, and biodiversity loss. Climate change affects human health, food security, housing, and livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable populations in developing countries. While limiting global warming to 1.5°C is crucial to avoid catastrophic impacts, current policies may lead to a 3.1°C rise. Solutions include cutting emissions, transitioning to renewable energy, adapting to climate impacts, and investing in global cooperation, especially in supporting developing nations. Immediate action is required to mitigate future damage and ensure a livable planet. (Summary of the text “What Is Climate Change?“).
- Social inequality refers to resources that are distributed unevenly, influenced by factors such as power, race, gender, and class. It often results in unequal access to opportunities, rights, and privileges, leading to economic, political, and social disparities. Social inequality can manifest in different societal structures, such as egalitarian, ranked, or stratified societies. In stratified societies, people are categorized into classes based on wealth, power, and prestige, with limited social mobility. Inequality is driven by both ascribed characteristics (e.g., race, gender) and achieved characteristics (e.g., education, occupation). The effects of social inequality are seen in disparities in wealth, political power, opportunities, and life chances. It is a global issue, exacerbated by factors like globalization, which can increase inequities worldwide. (Summary of the text “Social Inequality“).
Tips for Writing a Good Summary
- Use Your Own Words
Avoid copying sentences directly from the original text. Summaries should demonstrate your understanding of the material. - Be Concise
Focus on the main ideas and eliminate minor details. Summaries are typically much shorter than the original text. - Stay Neutral
Avoid adding your own opinions or analysis. A summary should simply restate the original ideas. - Use Simple and Clear Language
Write in a way that is easy to understand, especially if the audience is not familiar with the original text. - Include the Author and Title (if applicable)
Start your summary by mentioning the author and title of the text you’re summarizing. For example: “In her article ‘The Effects of Climate Change,’ Jane Doe explains…”
Mistakes to Avoid
- Being Too Detailed: Summaries should include only the most important points, not every detail or example.
- Including Your Opinion: A summary should remain neutral and not reflect your personal thoughts.
- Using Complex Language: Keep the language simple and straightforward to ensure clarity.
How to Write a Summary in English?
Writing a summary in English requires careful reading, identifying key points, and expressing them concisely in your own words. Practice summarizing different types of texts to build your skills and improve your writing.
