1. HOW
TO SUMMARIZE
University of the Sacred Heart
Center for Language Development Across the Disciplines
LAD

2. Objectives
 Identify main idea
 Understand key terms
 Outline information
 Summarize in your own
words
 Avoid plagiarism

3. Six Steps for Summarizing
Read
• Identify the main point
Re-read • Circle key terms
• Divide article into sections
• Write the main idea
Make an outline • Summarize each section
• Follow original sequence of ideas
Write a rough
draft
Edit
Compare

4. What to include in the rough draft
 Introduction
 Main idea
 Body
 Author’skey words
 Important ideas and data
 Conclusion
 Avoid adding new data
 Do not use your own ideas

5. How to Avoid Plagriarisim
What is plagiarism? You should…
 Unauthorized use or  State all references
close imitation of the used
language and thoughts  Avoid using quotes
of another author as  Cite correctly
one’s original work.
 APA Style

6. Remember
 When writing a
summary…
 State the main point
first
 Explain each section
 Never use your ideas
 Finish with the author’s
conclusion
 Avoid plagiarism

7. References
 [Standing Books]. (n.d.) [Photograph]. Retrieved on January 25, 2012 from
http://zerocars.blogspot.com/2009_03_25_archive.html
 [Checklist]. (n.d.) [Photograph] Retieved on January 25, 2012 from
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/courses/european-and-language-
services/apply/application-checklist.cfm
 [Sharpened Pencils] (n.d.) [Photograph]. Retrieved on January 23, 2012
from http://lovell.com/copywriting/eight-common-errors-in-writing/

8. Prepared by P. Fuertes
Revised by LAD professors in May 2012.