RULES TO WRITE A SUMMARY

  • The summary has to contain all the main ideas in the summarized text.
  • Just like a diagram, it has to be based on the outlining, and it has to be personal.
  • Ideas have to be in a hierarchy, and they have to be related to each other.
  • As a guideline, the summary shouldn’t be longer than a fourth of the summarized text, although sometimes it depends on the complexity and conciseness of the text, its technical character, etc.
  • It must go from general to particulars, and it shouldn’t include many details.
  • It’s useful for students who have a good audio memory.
  • The summary should be formed with very few points, and they don’t have to be close together, because they make it too long.