A summary is a shortened form of a document that includes the main idea and important details, conclusions, and any recommendations. Summarizing can save a busy reader time by providing just the essential information in a shorter format. To create a summary, one should scan the document, highlight the most important sentences, and put the key details, conclusions, and recommendations into their own words in a concise summary of 3 sentences or less without extra details. The summary should be edited for correctness.

1. SUMMARIZING

2. WHAT IS A SUMMARY?
• The content of a document in a compressed
(shortened) form
• Includes the document’s conclusions
• Includes the document’s recommendations ( if any)
• Includes only the main idea and important details

3. WHY IS A SUMMARY USEFUL?
• A summary can save the time of a busy reader! It is
much shorter than the original document.
• Gives the reader the important details
• Gives the reader important conclusions
• Can offer the reader recommendations

4. FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE STEPS TO
SUMMARIZING
1. Read the document through (scan)- pay attention
to the introduction and conclusion
2. Use headings and any bold print to give you clues
about context
3. Highlight the most important sentences in each
paragraph ( hint- these are often the first or last
sentences of a paragraph)
4. Are there any important conclusions or
recommendations?
5. Now look at these sentences and put them into
YOUR OWN WORDS

5. EDIT/ CHECK YOUR SUMMARY
 Did I include only the most important ideas—no
details?
Did I include concrete facts such as names, dates,
statistics , conclusions and recommendations
Did I check for and correct any spelling,
punctuation or grammar errors?
Did I use my own words ?
Source: Adapted from Searles, G. Workplace Communications The Basics. (2006) Pearson Education