What a Summary Needs
First, in order to write a summary, you must analyze/annotate the article. To annotate, you must underline the main points of the reading. Remember that details and examples are NOT MAIN POINTS. They are supporting ideas. You must also look up every word that you don’t know perfectly, and write the definition above the original word in the article. That way, every time you re-read the article (and you should re-read it MANY times to completely understand it), the meanings of the new words are right there for you, helping you to understand.
Your summary must include ALL of the main ideas from the article, but you can not copy – that is plagiarism and it is actually illegal! You must paraphrase the main ideas.
YOU MUST STOP LOOKING AT THE MAIN IDEA WHEN YOU WANT TO PARAPHRASE!!!!
If you continue looking at the main idea, you will copy it. Changing 2-3 words from the original sentence, but copying the rest of it, is still plagiarizing! You should read each main idea many, many times – until you completely understand the meaning. Then, STOP LOOKING AT IT – take a different paper, and without looking at the original sentence, write down IN YOUR OWN WORDS what the sentence means.
Do this with each main idea of the article. A summary must include the Title of the article, the author’s name(s) and a paraphrase of ALL the main ideas from the reading. Never include the examples or details in your summary – only the main ideas. Enjoy writing!
Consistent Verb Tenses