Steps to writing an effective summary

                                               

1.

Divide the text into sections, either single paragraphs or groups of

paragraphs focused on the same topic.

2.

Write the main idea of each section in one or two sentences.

3.

Write the main idea of the entire text in one or two sentences.

4.

Develop a full paragraph, beginning with the sentences that summarize the entire text and following with the main ideas from the body of the text.

Do not include examples, facts or statistics.

5.

Ask someone who is not familiar with the original text to read the summary  for clarity and relevance of information. Revise if necessary. 


USEFUL PHRASES

The author (narrator)

        Says, states, points out that…

        Claims, thinks, believes that…

Describes, explains, makes clear that…

Criticizes, analyses, comments on…

Tries to express…

Argues that…

Suggests that…

Compares X to Y…

Doubts that…

Tries to convince the readers that…

Concludes that…