3 Ways to Summarize Chapters

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 10:50

Summary is a useful tool to help you organize your material to make it easier to understand. Summaries can make it easier for you to find the main points of chapters and study for exams. Sometimes, teachers or lecturers also assign students to make summaries to be assessed. Below are the steps for creating chapter summaries for personal use or school assignments.

Step

Method 1 of 3: Writing a Summary

Step 1. Quick-read the material

Summary helps you summarize information. The first step in understanding a chapter is to read it. Speed-reading means skimming your material.

Concentrate on keywords. Textbooks usually bold these words for easy locating.
Don't spend too much time reading each word. When reading for the first time, skim through the information to get an overview of the topics covered in the chapter.
Quick-read chapters. Read the introduction, conclusion, and the first sentence or two of each paragraph. Try to find the main points of the chapter.

Step 2. Set the summary

Once you have an overview of the chapter content, prepare your summary. Most summaries are written using a combination of numbers and letters. Generally, main points are marked with Roman numerals and subpoints are marked with letters.

For example, if you are writing a chapter on the American Civil War, you might start your summary by writing down the main points.
Example: I. Beginning of Conflict II. Great Battle III. Impact on North American States IV. Impact on South American States V. Reconstruction.
After writing the main points, add subpoints. For I. Beginning of Conflict, you can add A. Slavery and B. State Rights.
Make sure the main points in the summary are based on the bullet points in the chapter. Consider using a summary subtitle as your main point.

Step 3. Write a summary

Include the other components in your summary. Once you have the format, start writing the introduction. Just write an introductory paragraph.

Pay attention to the thesis sentence in the introduction. The thesis sentence is the main argument or point of the chapter.
For example, the thesis sentence for the chapter on the Civil War would be, "The Civil War was won by the countries in parts of North America because they had more resources, such as metals and a larger population."
Rewrite the thesis sentence in your own words and include it in the introduction. Your introduction should also introduce the significant points of the chapter.
Put the introduction at the beginning of the summary. When you've finished writing your introduction, you can fill in the Roman numerals with the main points.

Step 4. Provide a description

An effective summary is concise. You don't have to write entire chapters. Write enough descriptions for each main point to help clarify your understanding.

Enter a description for each subpoint. Description is a comment or description.
For example, you might state I. Beginning of the Conflict, B. Slavery, “Countries in parts of South America want to keep 4 million people enslaved. This was the ideological reason for the Civil War."
To be useful, provide enough information in the caption, but don't overdo it. Two to three sentences are sufficient.

Step 5. Be flexible

You should have an idea of the final summary result. However, you must be willing to make changes. Flexibility allows you to modify the summary to suit your needs.

Provide a place to add points. You may initially only plan to make five points, but it turns out that there are six points that you need to make up for.
Add points. Make sure that what you add is indeed the main point. If the point can be placed as a subpoint, it is better to place it as a subpoint.
Remove material if necessary. Maybe at first you thought that naval warfare was one of the main factors in the Civil War. If you change your mind, you can delete the points.

Step 6. Follow the directions

Sometimes the teacher or lecturer assigns you to make a summary. This is useful for developing new skills. Through the summary, the teacher or lecturer can also tell if you are concentrating on the right concept.

Fulfill all the rules. If your teacher asks for a summary with 8 main points, you should follow these rules.
Ask for clarification. If you have questions about the summary format, ask your teacher or professor.

Method 2 of 3: Reading More Efficiently

Step 1. Read the material quickly

Summaries are great for helping you learn and remember material. You can also learn to improve your reading skills so that you become a more efficient learner. There are several things you can do to read faster and remember more information.

To read efficiently, you don't have to concentrate on each word. Quick-read the material to get an overview of the material covered.
Reading material quickly does not mean being careless. Speed-reading means that you read with the aim of obtaining specific information.
As you speed read, set your goals. For example, if you are looking for information about the main causes of the Civil War, don't spend time reading paragraphs about rifle ranges.
Reading efficiently helps you find the points you should include in your summary. The more efficient the reading process, the easier it will be for you to summarize.

Step 2. Concentrate on the introduction and conclusion

The introduction and conclusion are generally the most important parts of a chapter, book or article. In the introduction, the writer usually explains the thesis and the main points while the conclusion retells the most important points.

Read the introduction and conclusion first. This method helps you identify the main points and directs your focus when reading the text as a whole.
Look for signs. Writers often help by stating explicitly what the most important points are.
For example, a sentence that begins with, "I think…" is a sign that the sentence contains a thesis. You should also pay attention to paragraphs that begin with “It is very important to understand that…” or “One of the main points is…”

Step 3. Read actively

Don't let your eyes read without really concentrating. Reading is an activity that requires you to be involved with the content of the writing. Try using the SQ3RR method to help you.

"S" is short for "survey". Speed-read the material by concentrating on the introduction, conclusion, and subtitles.
"Q" is short for "question". Write down any questions you have about the material you read.
The three “R” stands for “read, recite, review”. Read each section carefully so that you can answer your questions.
Read your answer aloud. Reading aloud helps you remember. Check your notes again.

Step 4. Take notes

As you read, take notes. Get in the habit of using summaries as a note-taking method. Organizing notes in a summary format is more useful.

Don't try to write down all the material you read. Concentrate on the main points.
Prepare your summary before reading the entire material. You can mark with numbers and letters as you read.
Avoid giving too many marks. Many students find marking, for example with colored markers, beneficial for them. Make sure you read and remember, not just mark.

Method 3 of 3: Using the Best Study Methods

Step 1. Reread the material periodically

Summaries are especially useful when you are studying for an exam or writing an article. Combining multiple methods with summaries is an effective way to learn. Creating a study schedule is one way to achieve success.

Look at your notes several times a week. It's better to learn little by little than to try to learn the whole material overnight.
Set aside 10-15 minutes per day. Use this time to read your summaries and notes.
Reread notes after class. You will remember the material better if you reread it before 24 hours from when you summarize or take notes.

Step 2. Adjust your study plan

Learning can be difficult and boring at times. Find the best way for you. For example, if you like being outside, try reading outside.

If you are a sociable person, invite your classmates to form a study group.
Find a method that works for you. For example, you might get better results when you learn to use a combination of reading cards and summaries.

Step 3. Choose the right environment

The learning environment can be very influential. For that, look for a place that is not too noisy. Avoid watching television while reading the summary.

Make sure the room temperature is comfortable. You will find it difficult to concentrate if the room is too hot or cold.
Eat a snack before studying. Bananas or nuts will give you energy and help you concentrate.