Summarize long passages

A summary is a SHORT version of a long passage that keeps only the most important ideas. A good summary is much shorter than the original — usually three to five sentences — and it is written in your OWN words, not copied. Summarizing proves that you really understood what you read.

What to keep, what to drop

• KEEP — the main idea, the key events, and the most important supporting points.
• KEEP — the answers to who, what, when, where, why, and how.
• DROP — small details, side examples, and repeated ideas.
• DROP — exact quotes, long descriptions, and minor characters.
• DROP — your own opinions; a summary is about the text, not about you.

The five-W summary frame

1. Who — name the main characters or people involved.
2. What — name the key event or main action.
3. When — name the time period or moment if it matters.
4. Where — name the setting or place if it matters.
5. Why — name the reason or cause behind the main event.

Steps for summarizing a long passage

1. Read the whole passage once without stopping.
2. Note the main idea — the one big point the passage is making.
3. List two or three key supporting points and the answers to the W{’}s.
4. Cross out anything that is a small detail or example.
5. Write three to five sentences in your own words that capture only the kept material.