What you need
- Article to summarize
- Notebook or computer
- Pen or keyboard
Every step
- 1
Read for the author’s purpose
Read the whole article before drafting. Ask what the author wants the reader to understand and which passages carry the argument. For a practice article about library hours, note whether it reports a decision, argues for a change, or compares options. These are different purposes and should produce different summaries.
CHECKPOINT · You can explain the article’s purpose in one sentence. - 2
Separate the main claim from supporting details
List the author’s main point and two or three details needed to understand it. Use a neutral practice example: an article proposes longer library opening hours and gives survey responses and staffing costs as reasons. Record only what the article actually says. Do not add a statistic or conclusion because it sounds plausible.
CHECKPOINT · Your notes distinguish the main point from the evidence the author gives. - 3
Write from notes with the article closed
Set the article aside and explain the main point from your notes. For the library example: “The author proposes extending evening opening hours and weighs demand against staffing costs.” Keep the author’s meaning and degree of certainty. Changing “might” to “will” would make the claim stronger than the source.
CHECKPOINT · Your draft preserves the author’s meaning without copying the sentence structure. - 4
Keep only the details the reader needs
Connect the main point to the essential supporting reasons. Leave out side stories, repeated examples, and your own judgment unless the assignment requests analysis. A short summary of the library article might mention demand and staffing without repeating every survey response. Match the level of detail to the required summary length.
CHECKPOINT · Each sentence helps explain the article rather than adding your own argument. - 5
Check accuracy and credit the source
Reopen the article and compare each sentence of your summary with it. Check names, numbers, qualifications, and whether you omitted an important exception. Put quotation marks around any exact wording you retain and provide the required source attribution. A summary needs credit even when every sentence is in your own words.
CHECKPOINT · The summary is accurate, concise, and attributed to the original source.
Common mistakes
- Don't include minor details or your opinions.
- Avoid copying phrases, as that risks unintentional plagiarism.
- Example arguments and text are illustrative. Replace citation placeholders with sources you have actually read; support factual claims with evidence.
Finished when
A concise summary rephrased in your own style, capturing main ideas only.
Questions about this task
How long should my summary be?
A summary should be about one-third or less the length of the original article, focusing only on essential points and major evidence.
What should I do if I can't help using some of the same words as the article?
Technical terms or names may repeat. As long as your sentence structure and explanation are original, this is fine; just avoid copying phrases or sentences.
Make these steps fit your situation.
Ask a question about this task or prepare a draft you can review.
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