How to Summarize Articles for School More Effectively

Summaries are one of the most common assignments in school. Whether you’re reading a news story, a science article, or a chapter from a textbook, teachers often ask you to “summarize the main idea.” A good summary does not copy the original text—it shows that you understand it. Summarizing also improves reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing skills. Many students keep article notes, outlines, and summary worksheets organized using PDFmigo.com.

1. Read Closely and Actively

Before summarizing, you must fully understand the article. Read the text carefully and look for:

• Important facts or arguments
• Key terms or unfamiliar vocabulary
• Examples the author uses
• The overall purpose of the article

Take notes as you read—don’t wait until the end. Underline or highlight only the essentials.

2. Identify the Central Idea (Main Idea)

Ask yourself: “What is this article mostly about?” The main idea should be expressed in one clear sentence. It is the foundation of your summary.

Example: “The article explains how recycling habits are changing in major cities.”

3. Find the Most Important Details

Not every sentence in an article matters. When summarizing, focus on:

• Major facts or findings
• Important examples
• Key events (if it’s a historical or narrative article)
• The author’s main arguments or evidence

If a detail does not support the main idea, it should not be included in the summary.

4. Use Your Own Words (No Copying)

A summary must be written 100% in your own voice. Do not copy sentences from the article. Instead:

• Restate the ideas using different wording
• Change the sentence structure completely
• Avoid using the author’s original phrasing

Example: Original: “Stem cells have the ability to transform into various types of cells in the body.” Summary version: “Stem cells can develop into many different cell types.”

5. Keep It Short and Focused

A summary is not an essay—it is a brief explanation of the most important information. Avoid:

• Your personal opinion
• Unnecessary details
• Examples that are not central to the main idea

In most school assignments, a summary is usually one paragraph, sometimes two if the article is long.

6. Use a Summary Formula That Always Works

A simple structure students can follow:

1. Identify the source: “In the article titled ‘___,’ the author explains…”
2. State the main idea: one sentence that captures the whole article
3. List 2–4 key points: the most important supporting details
4. Finish clearly: restate the final takeaway

7. Create Summary Notes Before Writing

Before writing the final version, create short notes or bullet points. This helps you focus only on essential information.

Many students export their notes and outlines to PDF format and combine them with the article text for easier organization using tools such as Merge PDF.

8. Review for Accuracy and Objectivity

Go back and check:

• Did you include only factual information?
• Did you remove all your opinions?
• Did you avoid unnecessary details?
• Does your summary reflect the author’s point correctly?

9. Keep Your Summaries Organized

Summaries are extremely useful when preparing for exams, essays, or group discussions. Keep all your summaries in one place. Many students merge multiple article summaries into a single revision packet using tools available at PDFmigo.com.

Final Thoughts

Summarizing is an essential academic skill that improves reading, writing, and comprehension. By learning how to identify the main idea, choose important details, and write concisely in your own words, you will be able to create summaries that are clear, accurate, and useful for studying. With consistent practice, summarizing becomes faster and easier—and a powerful tool for learning.