Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Summary in English
Learning how to write a summary in English is a valuable skill. Summaries help you understand texts, prepare for school or competitive exams, and develop effective writing abilities. Being able to write concise, clear summaries supports you in English assignments and real-life communication too.
| Feature | Summary | Paraphrase |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Short version of a text with only main points | Restating the text in new words, usually same length |
| Length | Much shorter than the original | About the same as the original |
| Purpose | Show understanding and capture key ideas | Clarify or simplify ideas, avoid plagiarism |
How to Write a Summary
To write a summary in English, read the original text, find its main points, avoid personal opinions, and briefly rewrite the key ideas in your own words.
- Read the passage carefully to understand it fully.
- Underline or note the main ideas and important points.
- Ignore supporting details, examples, and extra descriptions.
- Rewrite the main points using your own sentences.
- Check your summary for clarity and keep it concise.
Summary Writing Format in English
A correct summary writing format helps organize your answer. Most English exams and assignments follow this structure for summaries:
- Start with the title and author (if given).
- Use present tense wherever possible.
- Introduce the text's subject in the first line.
- Focus only on main points and key facts.
- Keep it brief (about one-third the original length).
- End with the overall idea or conclusion if needed.
Summary Example With Explanation
| Part | Summary Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | "In the fable 'The Lion and the Mouse,' the author shows how kindness returns in unexpected ways." | Mentions title and author, gives theme. |
| Main Point 1 | "A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to help him someday." | Tells the first key event. |
| Main Point 2 | "Later, the lion is trapped and the mouse frees him by gnawing the ropes." | Explains the turning point. |
| Conclusion | "The story teaches that even the small can help the mighty." | States the overall message. |
Summary Writing Dos and Don'ts
- Do write in your own words.
- Do keep it short and clear.
- Do focus on main ideas, not examples.
- Do use present tense wherever possible.
- Don't include your opinion or judgment.
- Don't copy whole sentences from the text.
- Don't use unnecessary quotes.
- Don't exceed recommended length.
Useful Reporting Verbs for Summaries
| Reporting Verb | Example Sentence |
|---|---|
| states | The author states that exercise improves health. |
| describes | The writer describes how seeds grow into plants. |
| explains | The article explains the process of recycling. |
| argues | The researcher argues that sleep is essential for memory. |
| claims | He claims that reading daily builds vocabulary. |
Practice Exercise – Write Your Own Summary
Read the short passage and write a summary using the format above. Try to keep your summary to just 2-3 lines.
Passage: “In the morning, Sara found a bird with a hurt wing in her garden. She took it inside, cleaned the wound, and gave it food and water. After two days, the bird was strong enough to fly away. Sara watched happily as her little friend soared into the sky.”
Sample summary (click to reveal):
Show Sample Summary
The story shows how Sara helps an injured bird recover and fly again by caring for it. It highlights the effect of kindness towards animals.
Where Is Summary Writing Used?
Summary writing is used in English exams, answering comprehension questions, writing book or chapter reviews, and note-making. It is also helpful in emails, work reports, and daily communication where sharing main ideas quickly is needed.
Benefits of Learning Summary Writing
Practicing summary writing improves your reading comprehension, helps you remember lessons, and builds better writing and paraphrasing skills. These skills are useful for school students, competitive exam aspirants, and anyone wanting clear, effective writing.
Related Guides and Practice
- Summary Writing Examples with Answers for more solved samples.
- Summarizing Skills Guide for techniques and tips.
- Reading Comprehension to practice finding main ideas.
- Article Writing to strengthen your writing skills further.
- Academic Summary Guide for exam-specific formats.
In summary, learning how to write a summary in English helps you express main ideas clearly and concisely. This skill is vital for exams, assignments, and real-life communication. Practice regularly to gain confidence and improve your writing, reading, and thinking skills for academic and daily success.
FAQs on How to Write a Summary: A Complete Student Guide
1. What is a summary in the context of English writing?
A summary is a brief and objective overview of a text's main points, written entirely in your own words. Its purpose is to condense a large amount of information into a short, easy-to-understand format, focusing only on the core ideas and leaving out minor details, examples, and personal opinions.
2. What are the 5 essential steps to writing a clear summary?
To write an effective summary, follow these five steps:
- Read and Understand: Read the original text carefully to fully grasp its meaning, subject, and purpose.
- Identify Main Ideas: Pinpoint the thesis statement, topic sentences, and key supporting points. Ignore minor details and examples.
- Draft in Your Own Words: Write a first draft using your own vocabulary and sentence structure to explain the main ideas. This is called paraphrasing.
- Organise and Connect: Ensure your summary flows logically. Start with an introductory sentence naming the text/author and then present the points in a coherent order.
- Review and Edit: Check your summary for accuracy against the original text. Edit for clarity, conciseness, and any grammatical errors. Ensure it is significantly shorter than the source.
3. What is the standard format for summary writing in school exams?
For most school exams as per the CBSE curriculum, a good summary format includes:
- An opening sentence that mentions the title and author (if provided) and states the main idea of the original text.
- Body sentences that explain the key supporting points in a logical sequence.
- Use of the present tense wherever possible.
- Maintaining an objective tone without adding personal opinions or interpretations.
- Keeping the length to about one-third of the original passage, unless specified otherwise.
4. How long should a summary typically be?
The length of a summary depends on the original text's length and the purpose of the summary. A general rule of thumb is to keep it to about one-third to one-quarter of the original text's length. For example, a 300-word article should be summarised in about 75-100 words. Always check for specific word count instructions in exam questions.
5. How is a summary essay different from a simple summary?
A simple summary is a brief, one-paragraph restatement of a text's main points. A summary essay is a more formal and structured piece of writing. It includes an introduction that identifies the source text and its main argument, body paragraphs that elaborate on different key points of the source, and a conclusion that wraps up the overview. It is essentially a multi-paragraph, in-depth summary.
6. How do I summarize a study guide effectively for revision?
To summarize a study guide, focus on condensing the key information for quick recall. Instead of writing full paragraphs, use techniques like bullet points, concept maps, or flowcharts. Identify the most important definitions, formulas, dates, and concepts in each section. The goal of this type of summary is to create a personal, high-level 'cheat sheet' that triggers your memory of the details during revision.
7. Why is it important to use your own words (paraphrase) when writing a summary?
Using your own words is crucial for two main reasons. First, it demonstrates true comprehension; if you can explain an idea in a new way, you have understood it. Second, it helps you avoid plagiarism, which is the act of presenting someone else's work as your own. Paraphrasing forces you to process the information rather than just copying it.
8. What is the main difference between summarizing an informative article and a fictional story?
The main difference lies in what you focus on. When summarizing an informative article (like a news report or scientific text), you focus on the central argument, key facts, evidence, and conclusions. When summarizing a fictional story, your focus shifts to the narrative elements: the plot, character development, setting, conflict, and theme. The former is about information, while the latter is about the story's progression and meaning.
9. What common mistakes do students make when writing a summary for the first time?
Common mistakes include:
- Including personal opinions: A summary must be objective and reflect only the author's ideas.
- Copying sentences directly: This is plagiarism and shows a lack of understanding. Always paraphrase.
- Focusing on minor details: Including too many examples or trivial facts makes the summary too long and unclear.
- Making it too long: Forgetting the goal of conciseness and writing a summary that is almost as long as the original.
- Misinterpreting the main idea: Failing to correctly identify the central point of the text.
10. What is a 'guided summary', and how does it help in learning?
A 'guided summary' is an exercise where a student is given specific questions, prompts, or a partial outline to help them write a summary. For example, a teacher might provide a series of 'Wh-' questions (Who? What? When? Where? Why?) about a text. This structure scaffolds the learning process, helping students learn how to identify main ideas and organize their thoughts before they are asked to write summaries independently.
11. Beyond exams, where is the skill of summary writing used in real life?
Summary writing is a vital real-world skill used in many professional and personal contexts. For instance, you use it when:
- Writing a business email to update a manager on a project's progress.
- Creating a meeting agenda or writing minutes.
- Explaining the plot of a movie or book to a friend.
- Condensing research articles for a report.
- Writing a CV or a LinkedIn profile bio, which summarizes your professional experience.
This skill helps in clear and efficient communication in any field.
