Summarizing texts

What is a summary?

A summary is a short version of a text that includes only the most important ideas, written in your own words. Summarizing is one of the most useful reading skills because it shows that you truly understand what you read.

A summary is different from a retell:

Why summarizing matters

• It helps you remember what you read.
• It helps you check your understanding. If you cannot summarize, reread.
• It is used in every subject: science articles, history chapters, novels.
• It prepares you for research and note-taking.

Rules for a strong summary

1. Include the main idea or the main problem and resolution.
2. Include only the most important details or key events.
3. Use your own words. Do not copy sentences.
4. Keep it short. A summary is usually much shorter than the original, often just a few sentences for a short text.
5. Keep it objective. Do not add your opinions (I loved this book) or feelings.
6. Keep the order logical.

Summarizing fiction: Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then

The Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then frame is a quick way to summarize stories.

• Somebody: Who is the main character?
• Wanted: What did they want?
• But: What problem got in the way?
• So: What did they do about it?
• Then: How did it end?

Example: Cinderella

Cinderella (Somebody) wanted to go to the royal ball (Wanted), but her stepmother would not let her (But). So her fairy godmother gave her a gown and a carriage, and she went to the ball and met the prince (So). Then she lost her glass slipper at midnight, and the prince used it to find her, and they married (Then).

That is the entire story in a few sentences.

Summarizing nonfiction

For informational texts, use the main idea and supporting points.

1. Identify the topic and the main idea of the whole text.
2. Look at headings. Each section often has its own main idea.
3. Write the overall main idea in one sentence.
4. Add the main idea of each section in one sentence each.
5. Leave out examples, numbers and descriptions unless they are essential.

Example

Original (about 120 words): The water cycle describes how water moves around Earth. First, the sun heats water in oceans, lakes and rivers, turning it into water vapour; this is called evaporation. As the warm vapour rises, it cools and forms tiny droplets that make clouds; this is condensation. When the droplets combine and get heavy, they fall back to Earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail; this is precipitation. The water then collects in oceans, lakes and underground, and the cycle begins again. The water cycle is important because it provides fresh water for plants, animals and people.

Summary: The water cycle is the continuous movement of water on Earth. Water evaporates when heated by the sun, condenses into clouds, and falls as precipitation before collecting again. This cycle supplies the fresh water that living things need.

A step-by-step process

1. Read the whole text once to understand it.
2. Reread and underline the main idea and key details or events.
3. Cross out minor details, examples and repetition.
4. Cover the text and write your summary from your notes in your own words.
5. Check against the text: is it accurate? Did you miss anything essential? Did you add opinions?
6. Trim any unnecessary words.

Helpful words for summaries

• The text explains / describes / argues that …
• In the beginning …, then …, finally …
• The main idea is …
• The author shows that …

Common mistakes

• Too much detail. If your summary is almost as long as the text, cut more.
• Copying sentences. Paraphrase instead.
• Adding opinions. This was the best part does not belong.
• Missing the ending. For stories, include the resolution.
• Focusing on a favourite small detail instead of the main idea.
• Getting the order mixed up.

Try it yourself

1. Use Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then to summarize The Three Little Pigs.
2. Which sentence does not belong in a summary? a. The wolf blew down two houses. b. I think the wolf was funny. c. The third pig’s brick house stayed standing.
3. Summarize a chapter of the book you are reading in three sentences.

Possible answers: 1. Three pigs wanted to build safe houses, but a wolf wanted to eat them. So he blew down the straw and stick houses, and the pigs ran to the brick house. Then the wolf could not blow it down, and the pigs were safe. 2. b (an opinion). 3. Answers will vary.

Study tip

After every chapter, write a one-sentence “tweet” summary in 25 words or fewer. Short limits force you to focus on what matters most.

Quick recap

• A summary includes only the most important ideas, in your own words.
• Keep it short, accurate, in order and objective.
• Use Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then for fiction.
• Use the main idea and section ideas for nonfiction.
• Check your summary against the text and trim extra words.