Summarizing. A summary is a significantly shortened version of a passage or even of a whole chapter or work that captures main ideas in your own words. Unlike a paraphrase, a summary uses just enough information to record the main points you wish to emphasize. To summarize a short passage, read it carefully and, without looking at the text, write a one- or two-sentence summary. Below is David Craig’s note recording a summary of the Crystal passage in the Paraphrasing section of 4f. Notice that the summary note states the author’s main points selectively—and without using his words.

For a long passage or an entire chapter, skim the headings and topic sentences, and make notes of each; then write your summary in a paragraph or two. For a whole book, you may want to refer to the preface and introduction as well as chapter titles, headings, and topic sentences—and your summary may extend to a page or more.

Summary Note

Subject heading

Author, title, page reference

Summary of source