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Writing Summaries
A note: CUSSW instructors vary greatly in what they ask of students when writing
summaries; therefore, what follows should be read as a guide, not as a directive.
The goal of writing a summary of an article, a chapter, or a book is to offer as
accurately as possible the full sense of the original, but in a more condensed form. A
summary restates the author’s main point, purpose, intent, and supporting details in
your own words.
The process of summarizing can help you to better grasp the original, and your
summary will show the reader that you understand it as well. In addition, the
knowledge gained will enhance your ability to analyze and critique the original.
• First, identify the type of article you are reading, as it will determine the approach
you will want to take in writing your summary. Most journal articles are structured and
written according to one of five types:
1. Empirical studies are reports of original research containing four distinct
sections. You will want to locate and write about the purpose of the study or
the problem under investigation; the methods used; the results; and the
conclusions the author makes from the results, including implications for the
field of practice.
2. Review articles evaluate studies already published. You will need to describe
the question or problem being addressed; summarize the literature review,
which is a major part of a review article; and describe the author’s
suggestions for the next steps in dealing with the problem.
3. Theoretical articles examine research literature to assess and or advance
current theory. The summarizing process is similar to that for a review article.
4. Methodological studies focus on approaches and analyses of new or existing
methods of conducting research in comparison to alternative methods. Your
approach is also similar to 2 and 3 above: describe the approach, its
applicability, supporting details, conclusions, and implications for the approach
or analysis under study.
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5. Case studies describe work with an individual or organization to illustrate a
problem, indicate a way of solving a problem, or point to areas of needed
research. Again, your approach will be similar to 2, 3, and 4 above.
• Second, for all articles, keep these four sets of questions in mind:
1. In the introduction: What is the author’s purpose, or goal, or thesis? Why is
she writing this article? What does she want to say?
2. What are the author’s methods or key points? How does the author go about
making her points? What method is she using to conduct her study?
3. What are the results, the findings?
4. What are the conclusions? What does the author say about her findings?
What are the implications of the results? What do the results mean for the
field, for further research?
• Third, approach reading the article with a critical eye for all of the above.
Good study skills help produce good writing; that is, learning how to identify key points
(how to discriminate, how to decide what is important and what is not), and taking note
of them, will help you improve your critical thinking skills.
Due to the structure of these articles—and because you have so many of them to read
and summarize—try not to read them as you would a traditional narrative, for example, a
novel or an essay with an opening position on some issue, followed by supporting
details, and conclusion (though this is not true for all social work journals—Affila being
an example).
1. Check the length of the article; then read the headings, subheadings, graphs,
tables, pictures. Next, read the introduction and the conclusion, or the first and
last paragraphs. Next, read the first and last paragraphs of each section—
between the headings. This approach will provide you with a preview of the work,
helping you to effectively engage with it.
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2. Read each section, jotting down notes on or highlighting the important points.
Write the central idea and the author’s reasons (purpose and intent) for holding
this viewpoint. Note the supporting elements the author uses to explain or back
up her main information or claim.
3. If you choose to write an outline, include in it the main idea and any supporting
details. Arrange your information in a logical order, for example, most to least
important, or chronological. Your order need not be the same as that in the
original, but keep related supporting points together. The way you organize the
outline may serve as a model for how you divide and write the essay.
4. Write the summary, making sure to state the author’s name in the first
sentence. Present the main idea, followed by the supporting points. The
remainder of your summary should focus on how the author supports, defines,
and or illustrates that main idea. Remember, unless otherwise stated by your
instructor, a summary should contain only the author’s views, so try to be as
objective as possible. A note: prudent use of the author’s terms and data does
not constitute plagiarism, but the use of phrases (of three or more words) very
well may.
5. As you revise and edit your summary, compare it to the original and ask
yourself questions such as: Have I rephrased the author’s words without
changing their meaning? Have I restated the main idea and the supporting
points accurately and in my own words?
6. If the assignment calls for you to write a critical summary or to include a
critique, you may want to ask yourself questions such as: Does the author
succeed? How and why or why not? What are the strengths, weaknesses?
Why? What did the author do well? Not well? Why? In addition, you might want
to include a statement on the article’s conclusions—their applicability to social
work policy, practice, and or research.