English Education

A summary essay should be organized so that others can understand the source or evaluate
your comprehension of it. The following format works well:


a. The introduction (usually one paragraph)--
1. Contains a one-sentence thesis statement that sums up the main point of the source.
This thesis statement is not your main point; it is the main point of your source. Usually, though, you have to write this statement rather than quote it from the source text. It is a one-sentence summary of the entire text that your essay summarizes.
2. Also introduces the text to be summarized:
(i) Gives the title of the source (following the citation guidelines of whatever style sheet you are using);
(ii) Provides the name of the author of the source;
(ii) Sometimes also provides pertinent background information about the author of the source or about the text to be summarized.
The introduction should not offer your own opinions or evaluation of the text you are summarizing.


b. The body of a summary essay (one or more paragraphs):
This paraphrases and condenses the original piece. In your summary, be sure that you--
1. Include important data but omit minor points;
2. Include one or more of the author’s examples or illustrations (these will bring your summary to life);
3. Do not include your own ideas, illustrations, metaphors, or interpretations. Look upon yourself as a summarizing machine; you are simply repeating what the source text says, in fewer words and in your own words. But the fact that you are using your own words does not mean that you are including your own ideas.

c. There is customarily no conclusion to a summary essay.
When you have summarized the source text, your summary essay is finished. Do not add your own concluding paragraph unless your teacher specifically tells you to.

The poodle makes a perfect pet because poodles offer their owners a companionship for life, not to mention that they have a loveable personality. •This could be your topic sentence. It tells the reader that poodles are in fact perfect pets. This may or may not be true and so you would need to provide proofs as to why this could be true. However, it is an interesting statement and catchy because the reader wants to hear why the author thinks so, or what justifies this statement.



  Poodles are sweet, smart, playful, and well mannered and they love to be around people. They are always willing to lend their unquestionable love and loyalty when you need the most and they are yours for life. Apart from being a happy spirited dog and a great companion, the poodle is small and doesn’t require a lot of room, so they are ideal for apartments or city settings. The poodle is suited to most environments and lifestyles; whether it'll be living in the suburbs or downtown, with one person or a couple, or even living with a family and children, the poodle fits right in.

 • This main point talks about the dogs’ personality and their companionship relating to the topic sentence, helping prove that poodles are ideal pets. Although, most likely a reader would need more convincing. : This is more convincing now. Most of the people that live in cities or small apartments are looking for a small dog that is suited to their city lifestyle and this sentence proves that these dogs are ideal as pets. However, you still need more proof of this fact because not all of us live in the city.

 • This point backs up the topic sentence that the poodle is the perfect pet because it mentions that this dog will fit into any type of family. This third point helps prove that this breed of dog is suited for most lifestyles and settings.

 The poodle is a dog that warms your heart with its character. It becomes a part of your family no matter where you live and it can provide you with love and companionship that you won’t want to do without. In fact, you can’t ask for a better dog.

 
• The conclusion sums up all the other points made and ties all the points nicely together. After reading the paragraph and all its elements as a unit the reader should feel a sense of unity. Often a well written paragraph will feel complete and it will seem natural to stop reading when the paragraph closes. So keep in mind for every great piece of writing there are great paragraphs put together.