Step 1: Read the text and take notes on the main ideas

Step 1: Read the text and take notes on the main ideas See example below)
Step 2: Write the topic sentence
Author
Title
Verb to show the author's purpose
Central/Main idea
Step 3: Write one central/main idea for each section
Leave it in the ORIGINAL order
Use your main idea notes from your reading
Leave out small details, examples, illustrations, or explanations.
Use transition words
If the article doesn't have subheadings Pick 1-2 ESSENTIAL details from the beginning, middle, and end of the text.
If the article does have subheadings Pick 1-2 ESSENTIAL details from the introduction section and from each subheading. Optional Concluding sentence How to write an Objective Summary:
A summary is a short, concise statement of the most important information in a text. A
summary identifies the topic and most important textual details of a text. When you write a summary, you write the information in your own words.
An objective summary is a summary that does not include any opinions or judgments about what is written in the text. Instead, it only includes information that comes from the text. Writing objective summaries can help you understand texts that you read as well as identify the most important information in the text. As you are reading, jot down the most important details from the text. Important details are those that are critical to understanding the text. If someone could understand the text without
knowing about a certain detail, then it is not important! In addition, remember that textual
details must be written in your own words, and should not contain any opinions or judgments about the text!
DO NOT
TOSS
Writing an Objective Summary
What is an Objective Summary?
Strong Verbs develops reveals emphasizes suggests expresses identifies illuminates hints accentuates adds provides observes infers demonstrates opposes discusses differentiates

AWESOME Summary Checklist
Consult this checklist BEFORE you begin so you know what crafting a good summary entails. Check it again after you FINISH to make sure your summary is truly AWESOME If it's not, be sure to revise it!
Tip: Don’t fall in love with interesting details If a detail is interesting, strange, or exciting, it is not necessarily an important detail.
Example of How to Set Up an Objective Summary
Name It
Title/Author
Verb It
How it was structured
Central Idea
Main Focus
R
es ta ted
(N
ot
D
ire ct
Q
uo ta tio ns
)
Key
Events/Points
Example of an Objective Summary
IThe article, "John Glenn The Man in
Space", by Associated Press, teaches
the readers about John Glenn's life and achievements. He accomplished many firsts in space and on
Earth...............................................
[Concluding statement generalizing
information presented]
Title
Author
Strong Verb
Central Idea
Is the information in my summary Accurate?
Has the length of the original material been Whittled down significantly?
Did I include Enough information to capture the essence of the original material?
Is the information in my summary logically organized and Sequenced? (In order)
Did I give an Objective (free from personal opinions) summary of the original material?
Did I summarize the original material in My own words and in third person only?
Does my summary contain the Essential ideas only Did I eliminate unnecessary details