This is a visual representation of what you do when you summarize a written passage.

How to write a summary

The following are the six (6) steps for writing a summary
1.

Find the main idea of the passage:

Read the passage the first time for understanding.
(So you can get a sense of what point they are trying to make.)
Ask yourself, What was the passage about?
(You should answer yourself with a sentence or a phrase)
Hint: If you are having problems, scan the passage to see which 'topic'
word appears most often. This is likely the topic of the passage.
Now you have to figure out what is being said about the topic.
Read the passage a second time.
What is the overall point being made about the topic word?
You need to be able to see the "big picture" being presented by the
passage. This is the main idea of the whole passage; Write it down.
Never start writing a summary before you read the passage for a second
time.

2.

Find the supporting ideas in the passage:

(Supporting ideas are used to develop, explain or expand on the main
idea.)
While "skimming" (reading through quickly) the passage for
the third time, look for the supporting ideas by reading over
the opening sentences of the paragraphs.
(A paragraph expresses and develops one main idea or point)
Underline topic sentences in the paragraphs and the key
ideas in them.

3.

After reading the passage for the third time, write one or two summary
sentences for each paragraph describing the main idea that you see
expressed by the paragraph.
If you see yourself repeating the same ideas, you will need to read the
passage again to get a clearer picture and then revise your summary
sentences.

4.

Join together the main idea of the passage and your paragraph summary
sentences by using transitional words and/or phrases.

These transitional words/phrases do three things:

1) They give your summary a sense of being a "whole" - not just a group of
unconnected sentences.
2) They also make your summary "flow" smoothly when reading
3) They reinforce and support the main idea being expressed in the
passage.
5.

Reread (and edit if necessary) the summary to make sure it clear and tothe-point.
Eliminate repetitive words, too many descriptive words (adjectives and
adverbs)and non-essential sentences.
The final version should read like a whole, sensible piece of writing.
**Check your spelling and grammar.

6.

Finally, check your summary against the authors original. Have you
correctly described the authors main idea and the essential supporting
points?
Make any necessary adjustments or changes to your summary.
Example of a summary

Original passage:
There is a fourth dimension to any garden that may often be overlooked. This is
the dimension of fragrance, and although its appreciation is not new, it seems to
have been cast aside to make room for texture, form and color. Fragrance is
subjective, and opinions of it diverse, but it is unquestionable that the garden
planted with scented flowers offers the added bonus of fragrance in addition to
form and color. It has been said that smell is the sense that is most memorable
and that none of the other senses is more subtle in its suggestions or more
reminiscent of a certain time.
The purpose of a flower's fragrance is thought to be that of an attractant to
nectar-feeding insects. Not all perfumes are found in the flowers, however.
Scents may also be found in roots, bark, gum or oils, leaves, stalks and
sometimes in the seeds.
Generally, fragrant flowers are lightly colored or white. Although brilliantly
colored flowers are not usually fragrant, there are exceptions. Flowers that are
thick in texture, such as citrus, magnolia and gardenia, are often the most
distinctive and intense in scent.

Summary passage:
Adding sweet-smelling flowers to a garden is something many
gardeners may skip. One can become too caught up in visual flower
aspects such as color or composition. Yet adding beautiful smelling
flowers just as important for those gardeners who are looking to have
an all-around "memorable" flower display. Most aromatic flowers are
mainly white; yet, some more colorful plants may hide their lovely
smell in less obvious places, like in their roots, stems, and leaves.