How to Write a Summary

A summary represents the “whole” idea of an article. It is

• no more than 25% of the original length (e.g., a summary of a 2000 word article would be no
more than 500 words).
• a challenge! (what to include/exclude?)

First, You Must Read and Understand the Article

1. Preview the article – title first, then the conclusion.

2. Find the thesis statement (usually in the introduction and conclusion).
3. Make predictions about the different kinds of support or evidence you will find in the article.
4. Scan the article to see if you find these ideas (these will likely be the ideas you include).
5. Take notes; write these ideas down on paper.
6. Confirm the thesis statement in the introduction.
7. Look up any unknown vocabulary.

Basic Parts of the Summary (often in this order)

1. Citation to the author(s)
2. Topic announcement
3. Statement of main idea or argument, major claim (thesis)
4. Evidence used for support: ideas and facts that support the main claim

Example of Introductory Part of a Summary

In [title of article], [author] (year) writes/discusses/argues [paraphrased thesis].

[Author] (year) writes about [topic] in [his, her, their] article, [name of article]. [He, She, They] argue
that [paraphrased thesis].

University of Calgary, Writing Centre (2017). This handout has been adapted in part from Dollahite, N. E., & Haun,
J. (2006). Sourcework: Academic Writing from Sources. Boston, MA: Thomson Heinle.
Method 1

• Preview and read the article

• Highlight or underline sentences that you believe are important.
• Make sure you completely understand these sentences.
• Paraphrase each of the sentences.
• Use all or some of these sentences in your summary.
• Always review your summary to make sure you have explained the “connection” between all the
ideas (support, evidence, thesis).

Method 2

• Read with a pencil.

• Draw a vertical (up & down) line every time the topic shifts (don’t over-analyze).
• These lines create sections or groups of ideas.
• Analyze the topic of each section.
• Write a phrase or sentence to describe each section.
• The topics of these groups of ideas are usually supporting ideas.
• Use this list of sentences in your summary.
• Always review your summary to make sure you have explained the “connection” between all the
ideas (support, evidence, thesis).

Method 3

Summary grid: Use a grid to take notes on each paragraph or groups of paragraphs.
Use these notes to write your summary.

Paragraph # Main idea Supporting details

Final tips
• Always re-write your first attempt at a summary.
• Combine points when you can.
• Make sure that the summary means exactly the same thing as the original article.
• Imagine yourself as a reader who has never seen the original article. Does the summary make
sense and could a reader get a good idea of what the article is about?
 Summary Grid
Paragraph /
Page Number
Main idea Supporting details

University of Calgary, Writing Centre (2017). This Summary Grid has been adapted from Dollahite, N. E., & Haun, J.
(2006). Sourcework: Academic Writing from Sources. Boston, MA: Thomson Heinle. (p. 26).