What Should We Do When We Summarize?

Pull out main ideas
Focus on key detail
Use key words and phrases
Break down the larger ideas
Write only enough to express the gist
Take simple but complete notes

First step:
Get a “Sum it up” sheet
Read the selection (chapter, article, handout, primary source …)
Underline the key words and main ideas
List the main idea words and write these in the blank area below
At the bottom of the sheet, write just one sentence to summarize the articles.
Using as many main idea words as you can

Second step:
Imagine you only have NTD 20.-
Each word you use will cost you 1 dollar
See if you can “sum it up” in 20 words!
Finally, you will “sum it up” in 20 words.