Best Practices for Creating a Summary

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 139 views

What Information Should Appear in a Summary About a Topic You Have Researched?

A summary is a concise and accurate representation of the main points of a text, research paper, or other written work. When creating a summary, it's essential to include the most critical information that captures the essence of the topic. Here are the key elements that should appear in a summary about a topic you have researched:

1. Paraphrases

A paraphrase is a restatement of the original text in your own words. It's essential to paraphrase key points to ensure that your summary is not a direct copy of the original text. Paraphrasing helps to:

Demonstrate your understanding of the topic
Show that you can express complex ideas in your own words
Avoid plagiarism by not copying and pasting from the original text

When paraphrasing, make sure to:

Use your own words and sentence structure
Avoid copying phrases or sentences from the original text
Ensure that your paraphrase is accurate and conveys the same meaning as the original text

2. Summaries of Texts

A summary of a text is a brief overview of the main points, highlighting the key findings, arguments, or conclusions. A summary should provide a clear and concise representation of the text, including:

The main idea or thesis statement
Key supporting points or evidence
The author's conclusion or recommendation

When summarizing a text, focus on the most critical information and avoid including:

Minor details or supporting evidence
Examples or anecdotes that are not essential to the main argument
The author's tone or language

3. Integration

Integration involves combining information from multiple sources to create a cohesive and comprehensive summary. When integrating information, make sure to:

Use transitional phrases to connect ideas between sources
Avoid mixing and matching information from different sources without proper citation
Ensure that your summary is accurate and reflects the main points of each source

4. Direct Quotes

Direct quotes are exact reproductions of the original text, often used to:

Emphasize a key point or phrase
Provide context or background information
Support an argument or claim

However, direct quotes should be used sparingly and only when necessary. Overusing direct quotes can make your summary appear like a copy-paste job, rather than a genuine representation of the topic.

5. Additional Elements

In addition to paraphrases, summaries of texts, integration, and direct quotes, a summary may also include:

Definitions: Clear and concise definitions of key terms or concepts
Examples: Relevant and illustrative examples that support the main points
Analyses: Critical analysis or evaluation of the topic, including strengths, weaknesses, and implications
Recommendations: Suggestions or proposals for future research, action, or policy

Best Practices for Creating a Summary

When creating a summary, keep the following best practices in mind:

Focus on the main points: Avoid getting bogged down in minor details or supporting evidence.
Use your own words: Paraphrase key points to ensure that your summary is not a direct copy of the original text.
Integrate information: Combine information from multiple sources to create a cohesive and comprehensive summary.
Use transitional phrases: Connect ideas between sources to create a smooth and logical flow.
Cite your sources: Properly cite your sources to avoid plagiarism and give credit where it's due.

By following these best practices and including the essential elements of a summary, you can create a clear, concise, and accurate representation of the topic you have researched.
Frequently Asked Questions About Summarizing a Topic You Have Researched

Creating a summary of a topic you have researched can be a challenging task, especially if you're unsure about what information to include or how to present it. Here are some frequently asked questions about summarizing a topic, along with answers to help you create a clear and concise summary.

Q: What is the purpose of a summary?

A: The purpose of a summary is to provide a concise and accurate representation of the main points of a text, research paper, or other written work. A summary helps readers quickly understand the key findings, arguments, or conclusions of the original text.

Q: What are the key elements of a summary?

A: The key elements of a summary include:

Paraphrases: Restating the original text in your own words
Summaries of texts: Briefly overviewing the main points of the original text
Integration: Combining information from multiple sources to create a cohesive and comprehensive summary
Direct quotes: Exact reproductions of the original text, used sparingly to emphasize key points or provide context
Additional elements: Definitions, examples, analyses, and recommendations that support the main points

Q: How do I paraphrase key points?

A: To paraphrase key points, follow these steps:

Read the original text carefully to understand the main points.
Identify the key phrases or sentences that convey the main ideas.
Restate the key phrases or sentences in your own words, using your own sentence structure.
Ensure that your paraphrase is accurate and conveys the same meaning as the original text.

Q: How do I integrate information from multiple sources?

A: To integrate information from multiple sources, follow these steps:

Read and analyze each source to understand the main points.
Identify the key points that are relevant to your summary.
Combine the key points from each source to create a cohesive and comprehensive summary.
Use transitional phrases to connect ideas between sources.

Q: When should I use direct quotes?

A: Use direct quotes sparingly to:

Emphasize a key point or phrase
Provide context or background information
Support an argument or claim

Avoid using direct quotes to:

Fill space or make your summary appear longer
Avoid paraphrasing key points
Create a copy-paste job

Q: How do I cite my sources in a summary?

A: To cite your sources in a summary, follow these steps:

Identify the sources you used to create your summary.
Use a consistent citation style (e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago) to cite each source.
Include the author's name, title of the work, publication date, and page numbers (if applicable).
Use in-text citations to credit the original author and provide a clear reference to the source.

Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when creating a summary?

A: Some common mistakes to avoid when creating a summary include:

Failing to paraphrase key points
Including too much detail or supporting evidence
Using direct quotes excessively
Failing to cite sources properly
Creating a summary that is too long or too short

By avoiding these common mistakes and following best practices, you can create a clear, concise, and accurate summary of a topic you have researched.