How to Write a Summary Paragraph

When you write a summary, you explain the main idea and key ideas of an original reading passage in your own words (paraphrase). A summary has the following characteristics:

• It is shorter than the original but has the same meaning.
• It has a topic sentence that expresses the main idea of the original reading passage and states the title and author (if known).
• It includes all the key ideas, but only has significant details and examples that are necessary.
• It presents the key ideas in the same order as the original.
• It does not contain new information; that is, information not in the original.
• It does not contain your own opinions.

You will write a  group summary and practice summaries on your own to prepare for your final summary.  Your practice summaries are worth 10 points. The final summary is worth 50 points.