Summarizing

Summarizing

A summary is a short restatement of the main ideas and important details of a selection. Summarizing what you have read is an excellent tool for understanding and remembering a passage. To summarize a selection:

  • Identify the main ideas. 
  • Determine the essential supporting details. 
  • Relate all the main ideas and essential details in a logical sequence. 
  • Paraphrase—athat is, restate the selection in your own words. 
  • Answer who, what, where, when, and why questions.
The best summaries can easily be understood by someone who has not read the selection. If you’re not sure whether an idea is a main idea or a supporting detail, try taking it out of your summary. Does your summary still sound complete?

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