How to Write a Summary Essay on a Textbook

After reading a textbook summary, the audience should be able to comprehend major issues and themes found in the textbook. Good summary writing means utilizing paraphrasing while not getting caught up in the technical jargon associated with the substance of the book.

Instructions

1. Make a list of the key ideas and arguments your summary should convey and decide the order you would like to preset them.

2. Keep your summary essay short. Try to not go longer than four pages. Keep key themes short while highlighting the important information. In the book "Discovering Differentiation: Strategies for Success in the Language Arts," the authors stress that summary writing is a skill that writers must master in order to be successful in any field, namely because nobody wants to hear someone "go on and on."

3. Check and double-check for spelling, grammar and clarity.

References

• "Writing Essays: A Guide for Students in English and the Humanities"; Richard Marggraf Turley; 2000
• "Discovering Differentiation: Strategies for Success in the Language Arts;" Kathy Tuszynski and Angela Yarber; 2004

Resources

• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Grammar and Style"; Laurie Rozakis; 2003