Dos in Writing a Chapter Summary

Before writing a chapter summary, you must first thoroughly understand what you have read. Read the
material and take note of the of the highlights of the story.

1. Take note of the main theme

Ask the usual 5 Ws and 1 H questions – Who, What When, Where, Why and How. This way it is easier for
you to determine the main idea of the chapter. Sometimes, the main idea of the chapter is implied or
suggested, thus you need to pay close attention to the details of the whole chapter. It can also be stated
in the introduction or the first part of the story.

2. Identify the conflict

Sometimes, the conflict is internal. For example, the main character is struggling  with addiction,
depression or anger management issues. Often times though, the conflict is external meaning the main
character is against his or her environment or another character.

3. Pick out important supporting details

The feelings and actions that support the main idea are the supporting details. The supporting details
answer the questions of why and how the main character attempts to solve the conflict. Pick out the
most important and most relevant details that can help with the explanation of the main theme.

4. Write a chapter outline

A chapter outline  is a very useful tool in summarizing. Before finalizing your chapter summary, an
outline will be a big help in organizing ideas in ways that is easy to comprehend. An outline will make
looking for the main points in the chapter easier.

5. Be objective
When writing the chapter summary, it is apparent that you use your own words in explaining the plot
based how you have understood the story. If you must, opinions and criticisms must be done
objectively, basing it on how it has affected the story not how it has affected you.

6. Brevity and clarity

Do not get carried away with the story. Explain the plot as briefly and as clearly as possible. It is not
necessary to go into details, as long as the main point and important supporting details are presented
clearly you’re good to go.

Dont’s in Chapter Summary Writing

1. Avoid details not included in the expository text

An expository text will focus on explaining and describing the plot of the story. It is deliberate and
concise. Details not included in the expository text should not be included in the summary. The
summary should be designed like an umbrella, covering only the subject and nothing beyond it.
2. Don’t compare
Do not compare the subject to another that is beyond the information in the expository text. Other
details beyond your umbrella will only make the summary complicated and hard to comprehend.

3. Avoid first and second person point of view

Using first person will eliminate the supposedly unbiased point of view while using second person will
make your reader the main character of the story which is not the case at all. Using a third person point
of view will ensure an unbiased and objective summary.

4. Do not interject
There is no need for your interjections in making a summary, you are trying to maintain an objective
point of view. Asking questions is also not advised when writing a summary, you are only to present the
subject and supporting ideas of the chapter.

5. Summary, not an outline

A summary is not a list of ideas. Details have to explained in a concise but clear manner. An outline is
only relevant when you are still trying to identify and segregate the main subject and its supporting
details.