Handout

Writing Effective Summaries

Curated and Reviewed by Lesson Planet

Drafting a strong first sentence for a summary is an important step. Writers can use the formula presented on this handout to get started. The resource lists three steps to put together a strong topic sentence, as well as tips and hints for the remainder of the summary.

305 Views 316 Downloads
Instructional Ideas
  • Individuals can keep this sheet in their binders or notebooks for reference when composing summaries
Pros
  • The steps are clearly shown on the reference page
  • Includes a list of verbs that pupils can use in their topic sentences
Cons
  • Only scratches the surface about the other parts of writing a summary
  • Learners will need more instruction on how to determine the main idea or concept of a text; it's not always as simple as the handout implies