1. Read the Essay Carefully: Thoroughly read the entire essay to understand the main points, supporting arguments, and the author's overall purpose.
2. Identify the Thesis Statement: Locate the main argument or claim the essay is trying to make. This is often found in the introduction or conclusion.
3. Find the Key Supporting Points: Determine the primary points the author uses to support the thesis statement. These are often presented as separate paragraphs or sections.
4. Summarize Each Key Point: Briefly describe the essence of each supporting point. Avoid using lengthy quotes or including unnecessary details.
5. Connect the Key Points: Show how the key points contribute to and support the main argument. Explain the relationships between them.
6. State the Conclusion: Briefly summarize the author's final conclusion and how it relates to the overall argument.
7. Write a Concise Summary: Combine all the elements above into a short, clear, and concise summary. It should be significantly shorter than the original essay, ideally one to two paragraphs.
8. Proofread and Edit: Ensure your summary is accurate, free of grammatical errors, and follows proper citation conventions if necessary.
Important Considerations:
* Stay Objective: Stick to the author's main points and avoid adding your own opinions or interpretations.
* Keep it Brief: Your summary should be as concise as possible without sacrificing clarity.
* Use Your Own Words: Avoid copying phrases directly from the original essay.
* Include Proper Citations: If you are summarizing for academic purposes, make sure to cite the original source correctly.