How to Write an Informative Summary
- 1). Read the original work at least two times. After the first read, make an outline of important details as you read. Pay attention to topic sentences and concluding sentences; the first and last sentences of a paragraph, and the first and last sentences of a written work.
- 2). Read over your outline. Isolate the main idea and the three most important details.
- 3). Write a five-finger summary: in the first sentence, introduce the title, author and main idea of the text. Describe the three most important details in one sentence each. Write a concluding sentence that expounds upon and echoes the main idea sentence.
- 4). Check your work. Compare your summary to the original work. Ask yourself: Have I maintained meaning of the original work? Have I accurately restated the main idea and supporting details in my own words?
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