1. Read the Passage Carefully:
* First Read: Get a general understanding of the topic, the author's purpose, and the main points.
* Second Read: Pay close attention to the key concepts, supporting details, and any important vocabulary.
2. Identify the Main Idea:
* Ask yourself: What is the most important point the author is trying to convey? What is the central theme or argument?
* Look for: Topic sentences, thesis statements, and recurring keywords.
3. Find the Supporting Details:
* Determine: Which details are essential to understanding the main idea? Which details provide evidence or examples?
* Consider: What facts, statistics, or examples does the author use to support their point?
4. Eliminate Unnecessary Information:
* Focus on: The key points and avoid including irrelevant details or opinions.
* Be Concise: Use only the information needed to convey the essential meaning.
5. Organize the Summary:
* Use your own words: Don't simply copy phrases or sentences from the original passage.
* Maintain the original meaning: Make sure your summary accurately reflects the author's ideas.
* Use a logical structure: Organize your summary in a clear and concise manner, often using a topic sentence and supporting details.
6. Review and Edit:
* Check for accuracy: Ensure your summary is faithful to the original passage.
* Check for clarity: Make sure your summary is easy to understand.
* Check for conciseness: Ensure your summary is as short as possible while still conveying the key information.
Tips for Effective Summarizing:
* Use transition words to connect ideas (e.g., "therefore", "however", "in addition").
* Use an active voice whenever possible.
* Consider the purpose of your summary – who is your audience and what information do they need?
Remember, summarizing is about extracting the essence of a passage, not simply re-writing it in a shorter form.