How to write a summary?

How to write a great summary in English?

Language Knowledge / English / How to write / write a summary

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Written by: Editor | Updated on: June 1, 2020 | Published on: July 6, 2017

Write a summary: The method

  1. It is better to read the text once or twice carefully.
  2. Write notes in the margin.
  3. Make it clear exactly what this text is about.
  4. Search for the metadata of the text (author, …).
  5. Start with the writing.

? What is a summary?

A n English Summary is a summary of another text. This summary is intended to help the reader to understand the key points or arguments in a shorter and purportedly simple way. For that reason, it is advisable to use simple English, or to write simple sentences. This is best done by writing short sentences. Nevertheless, you should watch that you constantly write in the simple present and restrict yourself to a text length of 1/3 of the original text. However, before you start writing, you should think about an introduction.

1️⃣ The introduction sentence of a summary

F or a summary, first write about which type of text (newspaper article, essay, Letter,…) It is, then you should specify the title of the document. It is also important that you name the date of publication (often small under the text or under the title / headline). Finally, you should write the author (usually near the publication date) and the core statement of the text in a concluding sentence of the introduction. The core statement is usually already in the introduction of the text to be summarized.

 

An example sentence:

IN THE FOLLOWING, I’M GOING TO SUMMARIZE THE X “NAME” PUBLISHED IN Y ON “DATE”. THE X WRITTEN BY “AUTHOR” DEALS WITH “CORE STATEMENT”

 

  • X = type of text (newspaper article, essay, letter, …)
  • Y = place of publication (Name of the newspaper, of the book, …)
  • name = the title of the text / headline
  • date = The date of publication (20th September 2017)
  • author = author
  • core statement = the point around which the text rovolves

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2️⃣ The main part of a summary

I n the main part of your summary, it is now important to reproduce the essential contents of the text to be summarized. In order for you to succeed better, follow a few sentence beginnings, which you can use wonderfully in your texts.

 

Text modules for your English summary

The text …

  • is about …
  • deals with the question of …
  • presents the problem of …

 

The author …

  • starts by …
  • points out that …
  • examines the question of …
  • discusses the argument that …
  • supports the view that …
  • argues / claims / states that …

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3️⃣ The conclusion of a summary

I n a manner similar to other languages, there is no conclusion in an English summary. For you, as the writer of your summary, that means you’re done writing after the main part.

‼️ What should be considered in a English summary

F ortunately, there is only one point in a summary that you have to keep in mind. It is important to note that if the text you need to summarize is written in the first-person perspective, you must use the 3rd person in your summary.

? Helpful words for a summary

  • first of all
  • firstly
  • secondly
  • in addition
  • at latest
  • finally
  • although
  • in other words
  • on the other Hand
  • previous
  • moreover
  • to sum it up
  • to put it in a nutshell

Links to our other “How to write” pages:

Write a summary

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