Summarizing

A Strategy for In-Depth Learning

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
What is an effective
Summary?
 An effective summary is to reduce the
original text into its bare essentials.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
 Why summarize?

1. It is a good way to check your

comprehension.

2. It is a chance to focus on the author’s

ideas and store them in long-term
memory.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
How to write a good summary?

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
 Eight Steps to a Good Summary
1. Apply the one-Quarter Rule of Thumb
2. Underline and Annotate Before you Write
3. Make Distinctions between the Essential and the
Absolutely Essential
4. Include All Absolutely Essential Details
5. Paraphrase
6. Make the same Connections between Ideas
7. Don’t Interpret or evaluate
8. Get the Format Right.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
1. Apply the one-quarter rule
of thumb

Include:
 the main idea of the entire reading.

 the main idea of each supporting

paragraph.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
 2. Underline and annotate
before you write

 Underline important names, dates, and

keywords.

 Write the main idea along with several

supporting details in the margins.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
 3. Make distinctions between the
essential and the absolutely essential
 Start right off with the main idea.

 Decide which examples best illustrate

the main idea.

 Include main reasons.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
 4. Include All Essential Details
 Include one sentence to support each
reason or category of classification the
author gives

 Personal anecdotes, quoted material,

and clever comments should not be
included in your summary.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
5. Paraphrase

 Paraphrasing helps you condense the

original text.

 Remember: change the form, but do

not alter the meaning!

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
 6. Make the same Connections
Between Ideas
 Keep the same organizational pattern
(chapter 3) of the text in your summary.

 If the writer’s goal for example is to

compare and contrast, this should appear
in your summary as well.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
7. Do not interpret or evaluate

Even if you are convinced that a writer

is spouting nonsense, do not let that
opinion make its way into your
summary.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.
8. Get the format right
 Make sure to add the reference of the
text you are summarizing.

 E.G.
Fleming, L.E. (2006). Reading for
Thinking.

Fleming, L. E. (2006). Reading for

Thinking.