What Should you Include in a Summary?  

·        Include the source.  Where did this piece come from? Who wrote it? When? Why?

Examples: --(author)—in his/ her article “---(tittle)--“ published in  --(source)--, --(date)—illustrated/ discussed/ concluded/ -------(main idea)

In a --(date, source)—article named –(title) – by  -- (author) discussed/ showed/ -- main idea

·        Write in the past tense.

·        Include a main idea sentence. Use your own words to tell your reader what you think the author is trying to say.

·        Include important information. What happened? To whom? Are you sure you understand the article? Are you interpreting it correctly?

·        Include direct and indirect quotations of very important points.

·        Include transitions. How does one part of your summary connect to the other? Use the author's last name as the owner of the idea when going from one part of the reading to the next.

·        Include a conclusion. Why did you include all of this information? What are you trying to say about the subject?

·        Remember that you are an interpreter. Your reader will understand the author’s thoughts through your words. Take your job seriously!