A Guide on Summary Writing Examples With Answers

The first step in writing a summary is identifying the main ideas or points of the original text. Skim through the material, looking for headings, subheadings, and bold or italicised text. Pay attention to the introduction and conclusion, as they usually contain the central theme or purpose of the text. After skimming, read the text in detail and take notes on the most critical points. This will help you create a mental outline of the original material.

Example:

Original Text: An article discussing the impact of climate change on global food production and potential solutions.

Main Ideas:

• Climate Change’s negative effects on food production.
• Possible solutions to mitigate these effects.

A well-written summary should be concise and focused on the main ideas. To achieve this, you must eliminate unnecessary details, examples, anecdotes, and other supporting information. Keep in mind that your goal is to provide an overview of the original text, not a comprehensive analysis.

Example:

Original Text: The article provides examples of climate change’s impact on food production, such as droughts, floods, and heat waves, along with statistics.

Summary: Climate change negatively affects global food production through various phenomena like droughts, floods, and heat waves.

While summarising, it’s essential to use your own words rather than copying phrases or sentences from the original text. This not only helps you avoid plagiarism but also demonstrates your understanding of the material. Rewriting the main ideas in your own words requires critical thinking and helps you internalise the content better.

Example:

Original Text: “Climate change has caused serious disruptions in global food production, leading to food shortages and increased prices.”

Summary: Global food production has been severely disrupted due to climate change, resulting in food scarcity and higher costs.

Once you have identified the main ideas and eliminated unnecessary details, it’s time to write the summary. Begin with a clear introduction that states the original text’s title, author, and main purpose or theme. Then, present the main ideas in a logical order, using clear and concise language. Finally, conclude your summary by reiterating the main points and, if appropriate, the implications or significance of the text.

Example:

Summary:

In “Climate Change and Food Production: A Growing Challenge,” the author discusses the negative effects of climate change on global food production and explores potential solutions to mitigate these impacts. Climate change has led to various phenomena like droughts, floods, and heat waves, severely disrupting food production and resulting in food scarcity and higher costs. To address these challenges, the author suggests adopting sustainable farming practices, investing in agricultural research, and promoting international cooperation. By implementing these solutions, the world can better adapt to the changing climate and ensure food security for future generations.

Finally, review and edit your summary for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Ensure that you have accurately represented the original text’s main ideas and that your summary is free from grammatical errors, typos, and awkward phrasing. Reading your summary out loud can help you identify areas for improvement.

Main Ideas:

• Advantages of remote work.
• Disadvantages of remote work.

Summary:

In “The Remote Work Revolution: Benefits and Challenges,” the author examines the advantages and disadvantages of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote work has allowed for greater flexibility, increased productivity, and reduced commuting costs, but it has also led to feelings of isolation, blurred work-life boundaries, and difficulties in collaboration. The author suggests that companies should carefully consider these factors when deciding on remote work policies in the future.

Main Ideas:

• Increasing popularity of electric vehicles.
• Environmental benefits of electric vehicles.
• Concerns about the electric vehicle industry.

Summary:

In “The Electric Vehicle Boom: Implications for the Environment,” the report highlights the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) and their potential impact on the environment. EVs have gained momentum due to their reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower operating costs, and government incentives. However, concerns about the environmental impact of battery production and disposal, as well as the need for sustainable energy sources to power EVs, must be addressed to ensure their long-term viability as an eco-friendly transportation option.

Main Ideas:

• The Relationship between social media use and mental health in Teenagers.
• Positive effects of social media.
• Negative effects of social media.

Summary:

In “Social Media and Teen Mental Health: A Mixed Bag,” the study explores the complex relationship between social media use and mental health among teenagers. While social media can provide opportunities for social connection, self-expression, and access to information, it can also contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The authors recommend that parents and educators promote responsible social media use and provide resources to help teenagers navigate the digital world in a healthy and balanced manner.

Summary writing is a valuable skill that allows you to effectively communicate complex information in a concise and digestible format. By following these steps and practising with different texts, you will improve your ability to identify main ideas, eliminate unnecessary details, and present information clearly and coherently. Remember to use your own words, write a well-structured summary, and always review and edit for accuracy and clarity. With practice and dedication, you will soon become a master of summary writing, enhancing both your academic and professional pursuits.

Also, check out our similar educational blogs on writing acknowledgement for internship report and writing a report for an event for future reference. Happy learning!