Home Guides Writing Summaries Example Main Idea

Introduction

The Standard Summary - Form and Function

As an End In Itself

As Part of a Response or Position Paper

As Part of an Annotated Bibliography

As Part of a Larger Paper

Concise Statement of the Main Idea

Citing the Author and Title

Details and Quotes

Documenting Sources

Style and Tone

Objectivity

Using Author Tags

Putting it All Together

Processes for Writing Summaries

Process For Finding Main Point

Steps for Finding the Main Point

Process For Summarizing Support

Steps for Summarizing Support

Writing to Jump-Start Summary

Additional Resources

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Authors & Contributors

Example Main Idea

Below is a concise restatement of the main point. Compare it to the second restatement just below:

Author Jaime O'Neill's article, "No Allusions in the Classroom," emphasizes the communication problem between teachers and students due to the students' lack of basic knowledge.

In the article "No Allusions in the Classroom," a teacher of fifteen years, Jaime M. O'Neill exposes the overall lack of basic knowledge of college students in areas of history, geography, and politics.

Is the second version accurate and concise? Click on your answer below:

• The Statement is Concise and Accurate
• The Statement is NOT Concise and Accurate

• Example Four