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What Is an Objective Summary + How to Write It

Knowing how to write an objective summary of lengthy, complex documents is invaluable for workplace efficiency, academic success, and personal comprehension.

But how do you know your summary is truly "objective"?

This in-depth guide will teach you what an objective summary is. Discover real-world examples and learn how to craft objective summaries for meetings , lectures, podcasts , interviews , etc.

Let's begin!

What is an objective summary?

An objective summary efficiently communicates only the most noteworthy and important parts of a longer piece of content without adding personal analysis or opinions.

Its purpose is to provide readers with a clear, unbiased overview to quickly understand the main ideas and determine if they need to explore the entire content in detail.

Objective summaries stick to the key details and typically avoid repetitive or off-topic information from the source material. 

Key qualities of objective summaries:

• Clarity: Clear, straightforward, and easy to understand.
• Conciseness: Short and focused, covering the main ideas without unnecessary details.
• Accuracy: Represent the main ideas accurately without distortion or misrepresentation.
• Hierarchy of information: Prioritize the most important information, focusing on key ideas and supporting details.
• Elimination of redundancy: Avoid unnecessary repetition to keep the summary concise.
• Logical organization: Organize information logically for a coherent flow of ideas.
• Objectivity: Present information objectively without inserting personal bias.
• No additional information: Stick to what the source explicitly states; don't add extra details or assumptions.

Objective summary examples

How do you successfully distinguish between objective summaries and others? 

To understand better, here’s an example: 

Imagine this: You've just finished watching an incredible movie, and someone asks you to summarize the plot without giving any spoilers. Now, do you launch into a cinematic review, delving into the intricacies of how the plot made you feel? Or do you summarize just the storyline, leaving the emotional rollercoaster for another time?

Much like recounting a movie plot, where you stick to the sequence of events, characters, and pivotal moments, an objective summary focuses solely on relaying the essential information.

Here’s another example illustrating the key differences between objective and subjective summaries in the context of business meetings .

Example 1: Quarterly planning meeting  

XYZ Industries recently held a quarterly planning meeting with leadership teams to set revenue targets and strategic priorities for 2024.  

Subjective summary of the meeting:

The meeting plan relies heavily on an unproven new product line to reach ambitious 25% growth goals in 2024 without clear backup strategies. Launching European expansion also seems risky if the management does not prioritize cultural integration during hiring.  

While raising valid concerns, this summary inserts commentary and judgment calls with words and phrases like “ambitious” or “expansion also seems risky.” An objective summary would report key facts and decisions without external analysis. Here's how:

Objective summary of the same meeting:  

XYZ Industries' leadership set 2024 revenue growth targets of 25%, supported by a new Q3 product launch and an expansion of their European sales staff to increase market share. Additionally, the leadership reviewed previous objectives where they fell short.

Example 2: Board acquisition approval meeting    

A board meeting is held to discuss the potential acquisition of a competitor for $2 million.

Subjective summary of the meeting:  

The CEO seems set on acquiring the competitor, expecting substantial growth synergies, though some board members questioned fit assessments and due diligence thoroughly validating projections. Complete leadership alignment around deal risks remains unclear.  

Here’s the objective summary of the same meeting : 

Objective summary of the meeting:

As per the discussion, the proposed acquisition anticipates a 12% sales increase from the new product line. Some members raised concerns about due diligence and cultural fit factors, per meeting minutes. Further deal negotiations are planned for the next fiscal quarter.

Do you see the nuanced difference? In both cases, the objective summaries provide a neutral and factual representation of the events and nothing else.

How to write an objective summary

Learning to write an objective summary takes practice in distilling key information from longer, denser content. Follow these steps when writing an objective summary:

Step 1: Closely review the entire content

Accuracy begins with fully comprehending the original meeting minutes . Slow down and carefully read or listen to conversations, presentations, articles, books, or other materials, taking organized notes . Make sure you understand:

• Primary topic and thesis statement
• Key points and supporting facts/statistics
• Overall organization flow and structure
• Tone and delivery style

Having an accurate mental schema is crucial before attempting to summarize the content. Identify the hierarchical structure of ideas and details around a centralized thesis. 

Step 2: Draft a concise opening sentence stating the main idea

Effective objective summaries immediately orient readers in the opening sentence. It should establish topics and themes. So, review your notes and write a concise declarative statement encapsulating the central topic and key takeaway.

Example opening sentence: “Last quarter’s ABC Construction earnings report indicates revenues declined 2% year-over-year, extending recent sales underperformance trends.”

Step 3: Include only the most essential supporting details

Objective summaries are short but cover important details that help explain the main ideas. Refer to your content notes and select only essential supporting facts, statistics, or examples directly related to the central statements.

Don’t cover every piece of information or follow the original content structure verbatim. Specific details should logically build upon each other to concisely confirm the main message. Use your best judgment to decide what information is necessary and what isn’t.

Step 4: Use transitional phrases to connect ideas

Writing transitions create logical connections between details and concepts, adding flow and clarity for readers.

Useful examples include:

• Additionally, the report indicates...
• Conversely, the text suggests...
• In contrast to X's perspective...
• Building upon this point…

Sprinkling in some transitional phrases guides readers in understanding relationships between stand-alone details you choose to include.

Step 5: Maintain an impartial tone matching the original piece

Objective summaries purposefully exclude external commentary, so word choice and tone should align with the original document and avoid revealing embedded perspectives. Using neutral language is a common approach to maintaining impartiality.

Step 6: Close with a final sentence reinforcing the central themes

End with a concluding sentence that explicitly connects to the primary topic and takeaways without introducing new details. Effortlessly reinforce key points for the readers.

Example closing: The speaker states that leadership changes may be necessary for XYZ Industries to restore its brand reputation with consumers after recent issues.

Step 7: Review, refine, and ensure objectivity standards

With draft objective summaries complete, shift into revision mode, assessing the following:

• Fact-check details for accuracy
• Exclude all subjective language
• Tighten wording and cut unnecessary content
• Eliminate evaluative judgments

Refine and polish objective summaries to convey the gist without any biases. Set your finished summary aside for a while, then revisit it with fresh eyes to identify areas for further improvement.

Objectively summarize meetings and discussions with Fireflies.ai

Making objective summaries gets much harder when you have to listen and summarize meetings , lectures, and informal discussions.

Luckily, there is a way to automate it: Fireflies.ai!

Instead of taking notes manually, engage fully in conversations and let Fireflies.ai record, transcribe, and summarize your interactions. 

Fireflies AI Super Summaries provides quick and accurate information on what transpired in the meeting, so you don’t have to listen to the entire meeting recording or read through the transcript. These automated summaries objectively extract key decisions, action items, and next steps!

You can also customize these summaries based on your preferences or use cases. For example, a sales manager can create summaries to extract customer’s pain points, business needs, seats needed, and features they are interested in. In contrast, an HR manager can make custom notes to determine a candidate's cultural fit.

Fireflies speeds up sharing post-meeting info, letting teams focus on their tasks instead of summarizing past discussions. 

How long should an objective summary be?

An objective summary should ideally be between 5 and 15% of the size of the original content. It should typically be 1-3 paragraphs maximum. Summaries longer than one page often become too diluted. Remember, salient facts only!

What are the components of an objective summary?

The three core components of an objective summary are:

• Central Idea/Thesis Statement: Clearly state the main concept or topic.
• Key supporting facts: Present the factual details relating directly to the central topic.
• Impartial tone/voice: Maintain a neutral voice restating source information without external judgments.

Is it acceptable to directly quote portions of text verbatim from the full piece in my objective summary?

Avoid over-quoting even short passages verbatim, as overusing quotes disrupts an objective summary's flow and originality. If you must include quotes, include brief verbatim excerpts.

Final thoughts

Precision meets neutral perspective in objective summaries.

Learning how to take a lot of complicated information and summarize it clearly and accurately is a useful skill.

Following the guidelines mentioned above will help improve your summarization abilities efficiently. And if you need to automate this process for your meetings, try Fireflies.ai.

Are you ready to master writing objective summaries?

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A summary is a concise and coherent version of a longer piece of writing, such as an article, lecture, or book. It filters the main ideas, arguments, and key points into a shorter form, allowing readers to grasp the essence of the original work quickly. In academic writing, summaries help students and researchers synthesize information, understand complex concepts, and engage with the content critically.

Objective Summary: What is it and What is it Made of?

An objective summary is a concise and impartial distillation of the essential content from an original piece of writing, such as an article, report, or book. It aims to present the main ideas and key points clearly and accurately, without any personal bias or interpretation. The primary purpose of an objective summary is to provide readers with a clear understanding of the original content without the need for them to read the entire piece.

The characteristics of an objective summary are necessary for its effectiveness:

• Neutrality : The summary maintains a neutral tone throughout, avoiding any subjective language or personal opinions. This ensures that the summary remains unbiased and focuses solely on the original content.
• Brevity : An objective summary is short, highlighting only the essential points from the original work. This allows readers to quickly learn the main ideas without getting bogged down in details.
• Clarity : The information in an objective summary is well-organized and clearly presented. This organization might follow the structure of the original content, showcasing ideas in the order they appear, or it might rearrange them for improved coherence.
• Accuracy : The objective summary must accurately reflect the content and intent of the original work. This means that it should faithfully represent the original ideas, arguments, and conclusions without distortion or omission.

In terms of structure, an objective summary typically begins with an introductory sentence that provides the title, author, and main thesis or purpose of the original work. Following this, the summary outlines the key points and supporting evidence, presented logically to mirror the original content’s organization. The summary concludes with a closing statement that draws the line and shows the essence of the work.

Overall, an objective summary provides a clear and accurate overview that can be used for reference, study, or analysis and is simply quick to read.

The Importance of an Objective Summary

Objective summaries are significant as they can serve multiple purposes. First of all, they facilitate understanding by breaking down complex information into more digestible pieces. This makes it easier for readers to go through the content without the need to dig into details. This characteristic is particularly beneficial in academic and professional settings, where quick access to key points and main ideas helps efficient research and study.

Moreover, objective summaries enhance communication. They strip away unnecessary details and focus on the core message, making the intended audience quickly receive the information. This quality is invaluable in the professional field, where clear and laconic communication is often required to convey important information to stakeholders.

Additionally, objective summaries support decision-making processes in working environments. Providing a condensed version of complex reports or analyses allows stakeholders to make informed decisions based on the summarized information. This leads to more efficient and effective outcomes in various business and organizational contexts.

When You Need to Write an Objective Summary

There may be different contexts, where you may need to write an injective summary. Because this type of writing can serve different purposes across academic, professional, and personal life:

• Academic Writing: In academia, students and researchers often use these summaries to highlight key points and arguments for assignments, literature reviews, or research proposals. This practice improves understanding and facilitates critical analysis and synthesis of diverse sources.
• Professional Reports: Here, objective summaries help stakeholders quickly grasp the essential findings, decisions, or action items. This is particularly useful in business environments where time is of the essence, and clarity in communication is paramount.
• Media Analysis : Objective summaries are needed in media because they help break down news articles, documentaries, or other content. They allow readers or viewers to quickly understand the main points and facts of a story, making it easier to stay informed without getting overwhelmed by details.
• Career Development : In the context of career development, objective summaries are mostly used in resumes and cover letters. A well-crafted summary of work experiences, skills, and achievements can capture the attention of potential employers, providing a snapshot of a candidate’s qualifications and suitability for a job.

In each of these instances, the objective summary serves as a tool to effectively provide information and communicate the core message without bias or unnecessary detalization.

Check Out Our Free Summarizer and Make Your Writing a Breeze

How to write an objective summary – a step-by-step guide.

If you are intrigued by the versatility of objective summaries, this means that now is a good time to introduce you to the process of writing them. Here is a detailed guide to help you create an effective summary:

• Read the Original Content Start by thoroughly reading the material you need to summarize. Pay close attention to its main ideas, arguments, and overall structure. Overall, make sure you fully understand the content before attempting to summarize it.
• Identify Key Points As you read, highlight or take notes on the most important elements. Look for the main ideas, key arguments, and significant details that are central to the content’s message. These points will form the backbone of your summary.
• Organize Information Once you have identified the key points, logically organize them. Try to maintain the original work’s structure as much as possible. This will help make your summary flow naturally and be easy to follow.
• Write the Summary Begin your summary with a clear statement that outlines the content’s purpose or main idea. Then, briefly present the key points you’ve identified, using your own words. Aim to keep your summary coherent, so that it flows smoothly from one point to the next.
• Review for Objectivity After writing your summary, review it. It should remain neutral and free from personal opinions or biases. An objective summary should focus solely on the original content’s ideas and facts without adding your interpretation.
• Edit for Clarity and Brevity Finally, make a full revision of your summary. Eliminate any unnecessary details or complex language. Your goal is to create a text that is easy to understand and captures the essence of the original content without being overly lengthy.

By following these steps, you can learn to write effective objective summaries that accurately convey the main points of any piece of text you want to talk about.

Summary Examples

Example 1: Academic Article Summary

Original Article Title: “The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Productivity”

Objective Summary: “The article examines the effects of climate change on agricultural productivity. It discusses how rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events are likely to reduce crop yields and affect food security. The study highlights the need for adaptive strategies to mitigate these impacts.”

Example 2: News Article Summary

Original Article Title: “New Developments in Renewable Energy Technologies”

Objective Summary: “The news article reports on recent advancements in renewable energy technologies. It covers innovations in solar, wind, and hydroelectric power that aim to increase efficiency and reduce costs. The article emphasizes the growing importance of sustainable energy sources in combating climate change.”

To further understand the differences between an objective summary and a usual summary, let’s take a look at the comparison of their key aspects in the table below. Hopefully, this will help you grasp the distinct characteristics of each type of summary, making sure that you can effectively distinguish between them in your writing:

An objective summary is a useful tool in both academic and professional settings, allowing effective communication and understanding of complex information. By maintaining neutrality, focusing on key points, and ensuring clarity and brevity, objective summaries provide a valuable resource for synthesizing and conveying important ideas. Whether for research, career development, or media analysis, knowing how to write objective summaries is a skill that can improve one’s ability to engage with information and present it effectively.

What are the key components of an objective summary?

The key components of an objective summary include the main ideas, which are the central concepts or arguments of the original work, and the key points, which are a concise overview of the most important details, evidence, or findings that support the main ideas. Kepp in mind that an objective summary should also maintain a neutral tone, avoid personal opinions or interpretations, and should be clear and straightforward in language to accurately convey the content. Additionally, it should be brief, covering only the essential elements without unnecessary elaboration.

How does an objective summary differ from a subjective summary?

An objective summary differs from a subjective summary in its neutrality, purpose, and content. An objective summary is written in a neutral tone and focuses solely on the facts and main ideas of the original content. A subjective summary, on the contrary, may include the writer’s personal opinions, interpretations, or emotions. The purpose of an objective summary is to provide an unbiased overview of the content, whereas a subjective summary might aim to persuade, analyze, or reflect on the material from a personal perspective. In terms of content, an objective summary strictly includes the key points and main ideas, whereas a subjective summary may incorporate personal experiences, evaluations, or reactions.

When should I use an objective summary?

You should use an objective summary when writing academic papers, as it helps in summarizing articles, books, or lectures to present a clear and unbiased overview of the content. It is also useful in preparing professional reports, and providing an impartial summary of meetings, presentations, or research findings. Additionally, an objective summary is beneficial when analyzing media content, as it allows for summarizing news articles, documentaries, or other media to present the facts without personal bias. Furthermore, an objective summary is helpful in creating resumes or cover letters, as it enables the summarization of work experiences or qualifications in a clear and factual manner.

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A summary is a concise paraphrase of all the main ideas in an essay. It cites the author and the title (usually in the first sentence); it contains the essay's thesis and supporting ideas; it may use direct quotation of forceful or concise statements of the author's ideas; it will NOT usually cite the author's examples or supporting details unless they are central to the main idea. Most summaries present the major points in the order that the author made them and continually refer back to the article being summarized (i.e. "Damon argues that ..." or "Goodman also points out that ... "). The summary should take up no more than one-third the length of the work being summarized.

The Response:

A response is a critique or evaluation of the author's essay. Unlike the summary, it is composed of YOUR opinions in relation to the article being summarized. It examines ideas that you agree or disagree with and identifies the essay's strengths and weaknesses in reasoning and logic, in quality of supporting examples, and in organization and style. A good response is persuasive; therefore, it should cite facts, examples, and personal experience that either refutes or supports the article you're responding to, depending on your stance.

Two Typical Organizational Formats for Summary/Response Essays:

1. Present the summary in a block of paragraphs, followed by the response in a block:

Intro/thesis Summary (two to three paragraphs) Agreement (or disagreement) Disagreement (or agreement) Conclusion

Note: Some essays will incorporate both agreement and disagreement in a response, but this is not mandatory.

2. Introduce the essay with a short paragraph that includes your thesis. Then, each body paragraph summarizes one point and responds to it, and a conclusion wraps the essay up.

Intro/thesis Summary point one; agree/disagree Summary point two; agree/disagree Summary point three; agree/disagree Conclusion

how to write a summary

A step-by-step guide to writing a great summary.

A summary of a literary work isn't just a plain-old synopsis. It's a valuable study tool, a foundational element of all kinds of essays, a common testing mechanism, and one of the basics of literary analysis. 

Whether you're in high school or college, developing a deep understanding of how and when to summarize a book or text is a valuable skill. Doing so might require a little more knowledge and effort than you'd think. 

That's why we're covering all aspects of summaries, from study tools to plot summaries, below.

What Is a Summary?

A summary is a brief overview of a text (or movie, speech, podcast, etcetera) that succinctly and comprehensively covers the main ideas or plot points. 

Sounds simple, right? Well, there are a lot of unique characteristics that differentiate summaries from other commentary, such as analyses, book reviews, or outlines. 

Summaries are: 

• In your own words. It's important that you don't just copy and paste the writer's words (in fact, that's plagiarizing). Writing the key points of a work in your own words indicates your comprehension and absorption of the material. 
• Objective. While a summary should be in your own words, it shouldn't contain your opinions. Instead, you should gather the main points and intentions of the writer and present them impartially. (If you include your opinions, it instead becomes an analysis or review.)
• More than paraphrasing. Many students fall into the trap of simply paraphrasing—plainly restating the ideas or events of the work. (Is our definition starting to sound contradictory? We told you it wasn't straightforward!) Rather than recounting the events or ideas in a work chronologically or in the order they're presented, instead consider the broad scope of how they all contribute to the narrative or argument. 
• Short. There are no strict rules regarding length, only that it is concise. It's largely dependent on the length of the text it summarizes: longer texts, longer summaries. It also depends on the assignment or objective. However, most are about one to two paragraphs in length. 
• Comprehensive. Yes, it's another seemingly contradictory descriptor, but an important one. Summaries are comprehensive, meaning they cover all of the main plot points or ideas in a work (so they inherently contain "spoilers"). You should present those ideas in a way that condenses them into an inclusive, but not exhaustive, recounting in order to keep it short.  
• Straightforward (even if the text isn't). A good summary should be easy to comprehend, presenting the reader with a simple but all-encompassing understanding of the work at hand. With complex texts, summaries can be particularly useful because they distill big, complicated ideas into a bite-sized package. 

When to Write a Summary

Like so many elements of literary analysis, summaries are misunderstood. We've already explained why they aren't as simple as most people think, but neither are their uses. 

Summary writing is a useful skill in a variety of circumstances, both in and outside the English and Language Arts classrooms. 

Readers, writers, teachers, and students can use summaries: 

• As a study tactic. The ability to summarize a book or text indicates that you've absorbed and understand the material. Plus, writing down notes (as in a summary) is a great way to retain material. Try summarizing at the end of a book chapter, after each section of an article, or periodically in textbooks. Doing so will help you digest the material you've just read, confirming you understood and retained the information therein. Stopping frequently to summarize is most effective because you're less likely to forget important plot points or ideas. 
• As an assignment. Teachers and professors often ask students to summarize a text as a test to confirm they read and understood the material. Before heading into class—especially if you have a test or quiz scheduled—try practicing summarizing the text. Write it down (rather than practicing it out loud or in your head) so that you can review your ideas and ensure you're presenting them succinctly and sensibly. 
• As part of an essay. If you're referencing a book or article in your own paper, you might need to summarize the source as the foundation for your argument. In this case, your summary should be particularly short so the reader doesn't lose sight of your own argument and intention. Introduce the name of the work and its author, then use one sentence (two at most) to describe their objective and how it relates to your own. 
• As part of a review. Summaries are very useful in an academic setting, but they have their place outside of it too. Whether you're on a book review site or just sharing a recommendation with a friend, being able to succinctly write a book summary (with or without spoilers) will help others to make their own judgements of a book. 

Your Step-by-Step Guide for How to Write a Summary

Step 1: read the work .

Summaries are often perceived as a workaround for reading the work itself. That's not a great strategy under most circumstances because you tend to lose a lot of the details and nuance of a work, but it's particularly impractical to do so when writing about the work. 

Remember, a summary is supposed to present your perception of the work as a whole. So in order to develop that perception, you have to first read the original text. 

Step 2: Take Notes 

As you read the work, simultaneously take notes. If you own the book, it might be helpful to add your notes to the margins or highlight passages that are particularly relevant or capture a key idea. If you don't own the book, try taking notes on your computer or in a notebook. You can still notate important passages by writing down the page and paragraph number or writing an abbreviated version of the quotation. Alternatively, try marking key passages with sticky notes or tabs. 

It might also be helpful to write out a short outline of the work as you go. While you won't want to use this verbatim (remember, you shouldn't just paraphrase the work), it can help you establish and remember the text's framework. 

Step 3: Identify the Author's Thesis Statement, Objective, or Main Point 

In some works, such as a journal article, a writer will provide a thesis statement. A thesis statement is a one-sentence synopsis of the author's argument and intention. A thesis statement can be really helpful in forming the backbone of your own summary, just as it forms the backbone of the essay. 

However, even when a thesis statement isn't present—like in a novel—the writer always has an objective or main idea. You should always identify this idea and use it to form the foundation of your summary. 

The main point might be apparent at the outset of the work. Other times, the author won't present it until the conclusion. Sometimes you might identify multiple objectives throughout the work. That's why it's important, as you read, to note any ideas that might be the  main  idea. Even those that aren't the  most  important will likely remain relevant. 

Step 4: Note Other Important Elements

If something stands out to you about the work and seems to play an important role in the text's overall narrative or structure, make a note about it. This could be a recurring theme, an incident in the storyline, or a deviation from the overall argument. 

As you identify and note important elements and moments in the work, the structure of your summary should begin to fall into place. 

Step 5: Prepare to Write Your Summary 

Once you've finished reading the work, review your notes and highlight the key points that came to light. Remember, your summary should be objective, so disregard any opinions you might have noted about the work. You should introduce the thesis or objective, briefly encapsulate the important ideas and moments from the work, and end with a conclusion that ties those ideas to the objective. Keep this structure in mind as you begin. 

Step 6: Begin by Introducing the Work 

As you begin, introduce the work, its author, and, if relevant, the context.

Depending on your situation—for example, if your teacher or professor has asked you to summarize a work as part of an assignment or quiz—this might seem redundant. However, it is standard practice to begin by introducing the work, even if the reader already knows what you're writing about. 

Example:  In  The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald... 

Step 7: Present the Thesis, Main Idea, or Central Argument

Once you've introduced the work, your priority is to clearly define the author's thesis, important point, or central argument. As mentioned above, sometimes the author presents this idea clearly and succinctly at the outset of their work; at other times, it's buried deep in the text. 

Regardless of how the main idea is presented in the work, it should be front and center in your summary. Some teachers might refer to this as a "topic sentence" or "introductory sentence." This is the central point around which you will construct the rest of your writing. As you progress, you'll highlight other ideas or occurrences that relate or contribute to this main idea, so it's important that your representation of it is easily understood. 

Example:  In  The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the story of Jay Gatsby as a symbol of the social stratification, greed, and indulgence of 1920s America. 

Step 8: Briefly Discuss the Important Elements of the Work

After identifying the thesis or central argument, you should provide a brief overview of the work's other elements, ideas, and plot points. For the most part, the information you present throughout this section should bolster the thesis presented previously. Each sentence should serve as a supporting point for the topic sentence. Don't simply list ideas or plot points, but show how they're connected and inform the work as a whole. Of course, there may also be important elements of the work that are not directly tied to the main idea; it's ok to include these if you feel they are vital to understanding the work.

When writing the body, you should consciously and intentionally leave out unnecessary details. They tend to bog down your writing and lose the reader. 

Example:  The narrator, Nick Carraway, moves to New York's "West Egg," where he reunites with his cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom Buchanan. Fitzgerald clearly delineates social lines between West Egg (new money) and East Egg (old money), where Tom and Daisy reside. 

Nick attends a lavish party thrown by his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and learns Jay formerly had a relationship with Daisy. The two reignite their forbidden affair. Tom reveals to Daisy that Gatsby earned his money illegally, through smuggling alcohol, and is actually a man of humble Midwestern origins. Daisy and Gatsby try to run away together, but Daisy accidentally runs over Tom's mistress. Tom, eager to exact revenge, convinces his mistress' husband that Gatsby was to blame in her death, and he murders Gatsby before committing suicide. Few of Gatsby's many friends attend his funeral.

Step 9: Write a Conclusion that Ties It All Together

Much like you introduce the author's major point at the outset of your summary, you should revisit it as you close out your writing. If you presented the author's main idea in the introduction, and then bolstered that main idea by recollecting plot points or important elements from the work, your conclusion should then reiterate how those elements relate to the main idea. 

Example:  Though Gatsby subscribed to the extravagance of his peers, his efforts to fit into the upper echelon of West and East Egg were negated by his humble origins; always out of place, he was rejected for his social class as much as his perceived crimes.  

Step 10: Edit

Before submitting your work, read it in full, and edit out any superfluous and redundant information. It's likely that unnecessary details snuck in as you were writing, and you might find that certain plot points just feel unnecessary within the scope of your finished product. 

In addition to editing for content, be sure to edit it closely for grammatical or spelling errors. Even if your summary is well thought out, its expertise is compromised if it's full of errors! 

How to Write a Plot Summary

The step-by-step guide to writing an effective summary, outlined above, applies to most summaries. However, each type has its own unique elements outside of those standard requirements. 

A plot or book summary, for example, should encapsulate the plot of a short story or novel. When writing one, there are unique strategies to follow.  

Dos of Writing a Plot Summary

• Note plot points as the book or story unfolds. Especially in longer novels, it can be difficult to keep track of the twists and turns in the storyline. That's why we recommend taking notes as you read. 
• Use online study guides for inspiration. Websites like SuperSummary provide in-depth summaries free of charge. While this is a good starting point when writing your own, it should only be for inspiration. Don't copy examples online (that's plagiarism!). 
• Be sure to cover the three main arcs of every story: the exposition, climax, and conclusion. The exposition is the moment when the conflict or driving narrative is introduced. The climax is when that conflict comes to a head, and the narrative reaches its most dramatic moments. The conclusion is when the conflict is resolved or the story comes to an end. You should also include any inciting incidents (the first domino in a plot point).
• Connect the dots. Throughout, you should demonstrate an understanding of how events and characters are related, rather than introducing each element as an independent variable. Remember, you should tie each plot point back to the main idea. 

Don'ts of Writing a Plot Summary

• Don't just regurgitate the storyline. Rather than drone through the story plot point by plot point, you should highlight key moments in the narrative and direct them back to the author's objective. 
• Avoid repetitive phrases like "then" or "next." A key indication you're just repeating the storyline point by point is utilizing a phrase like "then" or "next." While you should recount the major incidents of the narrative, it shouldn't feel so formulaic. 
• Don't let it drag on. Books are long, but summarizing a book should still be short. While it depends on the assignment and the work in question, your summary should be 200 to 600 words, max.

Example :   In  The Great Gatsby , F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the story of Jay Gatsby as a symbol of the social stratification, greed, and indulgence of 1920s America.   The narrator, Nick Carraway, moves to New York's "West Egg," where he reunites with his cousin, Daisy, and her husband, Tom Buchanan. Fitzgerald clearly delineates social lines between West Egg (new money) and East Egg (old money), where Tom and Daisy reside. 

Nick attends a lavish party thrown by his neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and learns he formerly had a relationship with Daisy. When the two reignite their forbidden affair, disaster ensues. Tom reveals to Daisy that Gatsby earned his money illegally, through smuggling alcohol, and is actually a man of humble Midwestern origins. Daisy and Gatsby try to run away together, but Daisy accidentally runs over Tom's mistress. Tom, eager to exact revenge, convinces his mistress' husband that Gatsby was to blame in her death, and he murders Gatsby before committing suicide. Few of Gatsby's many friends attend his funeral.

Though Gatsby subscribed to the extravagance of his peers, his efforts to fit into the upper echelon of West and East Egg were negated by his humble origins; always out of place, he was rejected for his social class as much as his perceived crimes.

For an in-depth analysis of The Great Gatsby , check out the our study guide (we have an audio guide, too!).

How to Summarize an Article or Essay

The nature of an article or essay is quite different from a novel or short story, and in many ways, your summary should be too. The outline above remains the same, but the details are different. 

Here's what you should and shouldn't do when writing your article summary. 

Dos of Writing an Article Summary

• Skim the original article first. To develop a basic understanding of the article and the writer's objectives, skim the content before reading it closely. Doing so will help you to identify some of the key points and then pay attention to the arguments around them when you read the article in full. 
• Then read the article closely, marking key passages and ideas. Noting important ideas as you read will help you develop a deeper understanding of the writer's intentions.  
• Note headings and subheadings, which likely identify important points. In articles and essays, the author often utilizes subheadings to introduce their most important ideas. These subheadings can help guide your own writing. 
• Keep it short. The rule of brevity applies to article summaries too. In fact, because articles are usually short compared to novels or books, your text should be correlatively brief. And if you're utilizing the work as part of your own essay or argument, just a couple sentences will do.

Don'ts of Writing an Article Summary

• Don't ignore the conclusion. When reading a long article or essay, it can be tempting to overlook the conclusion and focus on the body paragraphs of the article. However, the conclusion is often where the author most clearly outlines their findings and why they matter. It can serve as a great foundation for your own writing. 
• Don't copy anything from the article directly—always paraphrase. If you copy any passages word-for-word from the article, be sure to identify them as quotations and attribute them to the author. Even this should be done sparingly. Instead, you should encapsulate their ideas within your own, abbreviated words.  
• Don't forget to include proper citations. If you do include a direct quotation from the article, be sure to properly cite them. You can learn how to properly cite quotations in our Academic Citation Resource Guide . 

Example Summary of  "Gatsby as a Drowned Sailor" :  In her essay, "Gatsby as a Drowned Sailor," Margaret Lukens posits that a major, and often overlooked, motif in  The Great Gatsby  is that of the "drowned sailor." The novel, she points out, is immersed in nautical symbols and themes, particularly in the scenes surrounding Jay Gatsby. For example, Gatsby grew up on the shores of Lake Superior, now owns a house on the Long Island Sound, and supposedly spends much of his time on his boat. 

Lukens nods to the nautical imagery throughout Gatsby's lavish party, as well as Nick's interactions with Gatsby. Many of these, she argues, foreshadow Gatsby's death in his pool. Even his funeral is a testament to the motif, with the few attendees soaked to the skin with rain. Lukens presents a thorough case for the overarching nautical motif in  The Great Gatsby  and her argument that though Gatsby hooked a big one, ultimately it was "the one that got away." 

FAQs: How to Write a Book Summary  

How do you summarize without plagiarizing .

By its very nature, a summary isn't plagiarizing because it should be written in your own words. However, there are cases where it might be difficult to identify an appropriate synonym, and the phrase remains somewhat close to the original. In this scenario, just be sure to differentiate the rest of the phrase as much as possible. And if you need to include a direct quote from the work, be sure to appropriately cite it. 

How to write a summary and a reaction? 

In some cases, your teacher may ask you to write a summary and a reaction. Whereas a summary is objective, a reaction is a matter of opinion. So in this case, you should present the actions or ideas of the work, then respond to those actions and ideas with your personal thoughts. 

Why write a summary? 

A summary is a helpful tool many educators use to test their students' comprehension of a text. However, it is also a useful study tactic because recounting what you read can help you organize and retain information. 

How to Write an Objective Summary: A Comprehensive Guide

Summarizing information accurately and concisely is a valuable skill for anyone navigating the world of text-heavy communication. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of objective summaries, explaining what they are, why they're important, and how to create them effectively. Whether you're a student delving into research papers or a professional encountering lengthy reports, this guide will equip you with the tools to grasp key points and communicate information efficiently.

Introduction

What is an objective summary.

An objective summary is a concise retelling of a source that focuses on the essential factual information and key points. It presents the main ideas of the original text in a neutral and unbiased way,  avoiding personal opinions, interpretations, or judgments.

Think of it as a snapshot that captures the core message of the source material without any embellishments or personal slants.

Importance of Objective Summaries

Mastering the art of crafting objective summaries offers a range of benefits:

• Enhanced Comprehension: Objective summaries help you gain a deeper understanding of the main ideas and arguments presented in a text. By distilling the information down to its core, you can solidify your grasp of the material.
• Identification of Key Points: The process of creating an objective summary hones your ability to identify the most important information within a text. This skill is crucial for critical thinking and analysis across various disciplines.
• Improved Communication: Writing objective summaries strengthens your ability to communicate information accurately and concisely. This is valuable in academic writing, business communication, and everyday life.
• Boosted Efficiency: Objective summaries can save you valuable time by providing a quick and clear overview of a text. This allows you to determine if you need to delve deeper into the original source or if the summary provides sufficient information for your needs.

By effectively utilizing objective summaries, you can become a more efficient learner, a stronger communicator, and a critical thinker.

Key Elements of an Objective Summary

Crafting a strong objective summary hinges on three crucial aspects:

Grasping the Core Message

• Identifying the Central Theme: Your primary goal is to pinpoint the main idea or argument that the original text revolves around. This could be a central finding in a research paper, the main plot point in a story, or the key takeaway from a news article.
• Asking Guiding Questions: Consider posing questions like "What is the main point the author is trying to convey?" or "What is the underlying argument being presented?" Analyzing the text through this lens will help you identify the core message.

Distinguishing Facts from Opinions

• Focus on Objectivity: Objective summaries prioritize factual statements that can be verified. Avoid subjective viewpoints, personal opinions, or interpretations expressed by the author.
• Identifying Subjective Language: Watch out for words or phrases that convey emotions, beliefs, or judgments. These might include words like "wonderful," "unfortunate," "should," or "must."

Maintaining a Neutral Tone

• Neutral Language: Opt for neutral language that accurately reflects the information in the original text. Avoid using emotionally charged words or language that conveys bias towards a particular viewpoint.
• Example: Instead of saying "The groundbreaking research definitively proves..." you could say "The research suggests a strong correlation between..."

Here's an example incorporating these suggestions:

Identifying Main Ideas:  A strong objective summary goes beyond just the main point. It should also capture the key supporting arguments that the author uses to build their case. Ask yourself questions like "What is the main point the author is trying to convey?" and "What are the key pieces of evidence used to support this point?"

Separating Facts from Opinions: Objective summaries focus on factual statements that can be verified. Avoid subjective viewpoints, personal opinions, or interpretations expressed by the author. Watch out for words or phrases that convey emotions, beliefs, or judgments. For example, instead of saying "The movie was a terrible waste of time," you could say "The film received negative reviews for its predictable plot."

Maintaining Neutrality: Use neutral language that accurately reflects the information in the original text. Avoid using emotionally charged words or language that conveys bias towards a particular viewpoint. Opt for more objective descriptions.  For instance, instead of saying "The groundbreaking research definitively proves..." you could say "The research suggests a strong correlation between..."

By focusing on these elements, you can ensure that your objective summary accurately captures the essence of the source material without introducing your own interpretations or biases.

Mastering Objective Summaries: A Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting a strong objective summary is a valuable skill that enhances your understanding and communication. This guide will walk you through the process, offering tips and techniques at each stage:

Step 1: Deep Dive into the Text

• Active Reading: Don't just skim! Give the text a close read, actively engaging with the material. Ask yourself questions like "What is the author's purpose?" or "What evidence supports the main arguments?"
• Highlighting and Note-taking: Underline or highlight key points, focusing on factual statements, statistics, and main ideas. Take notes in your own words to capture these crucial elements.

Tip: Pay attention to the introduction, conclusion, and topic sentences of paragraphs, as these often hold the most important information.

Step 2: Capture Key Points

• Identify the Main Idea: As you analyze your notes and highlights, pinpoint the central theme or argument of the text. This is the foundation of your summary.
• Supporting Details: Look for details in your notes that elaborate on or support the main idea. These details might include specific examples, research findings, or key points that strengthen the author's argument.

Tip:  Ask yourself, "If I could express the main point of this text in one sentence, what would it be?"

Step 3: Organize Your Findings

• Briefly introduce the topic of the original text.
• State the main idea in a clear and concise sentence.
• Summarize the key supporting points, ensuring they connect back to the main idea.

Tip:  Consider using transition words like "first," "second," "furthermore," or "however" to create a smooth flow in your summary.

Step 4: Craft Your Summary

• Writing in Your Own Words: It's time to write! Rephrase the information from your notes in your own words. This ensures you understand the material and avoids plagiarism.
• Conciseness and Clarity: Aim for a concise summary that is significantly shorter than the original text. Strive for clear and concise language, avoiding jargon or overly complex sentence structures.

Tip: Read your summary aloud. Does it flow smoothly and accurately capture the essence of the original text?

Additional Tips:

• Summary Length: The length of your summary will depend on the complexity of the original text. A good objective summary might be a single paragraph for shorter texts or a few concise paragraphs for longer works.
• Proofread and Revise: After writing, take time to proofread for errors, typos, or unclear phrasing. Ensure your summary accurately reflects the original text and flows logically.

Remember: An objective summary is not a substitute for reading the original text. However, by following these steps and using the provided tips, you can create summaries that enhance your understanding and communication in various contexts.

Objective Summaries in Various Contexts

Understanding how to craft objective summaries is valuable across different situations. Here's how they can be applied:

Objective Summaries in Academic Writing

• Summarizing Research Articles: Imagine you're reading a research paper on the effectiveness of a new teaching method. An objective summary would identify the research question, the methodology used (e.g., surveys, experiments), key findings (improved student performance), and any limitations of the study.

Example Summary:

This research investigates the impact of a new, interactive teaching method on student learning outcomes in a science classroom. The study employed a pre-test/post-test design with a control group. Findings revealed that students taught with the new method showed statistically significant improvement in test scores compared to the control group. However, the authors acknowledge limitations, such as the study's short duration and the need for further research in different contexts.

• Summarizing Literary Works: When analyzing a novel, an objective summary might provide a brief overview of the plot, major characters, and central themes without delving into your personal interpretations.

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" narrates the story of Jay Gatsby, a mysterious millionaire who throws extravagant parties in an attempt to win back his lost love, Daisy Buchanan. The novel explores themes of social class, the American Dream, and the destructive nature of obsession.

Objective Summaries in Business Reports

• Summarizing Market Research: In the business world, summarizing market research might involve highlighting the target audience, key findings on consumer preferences, and potential market opportunities.

A recent market research study investigated consumer preferences for sustainable packaging options. The study found that a significant majority of respondents are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly packaging. This suggests a growing market opportunity for companies offering sustainable packaging solutions.

• Summarizing Financial Data: Objective summaries can be used to condense lengthy financial reports, focusing on key metrics like revenue, profits, and any significant trends.

The company's annual report shows a steady increase in revenue over the past five years. Net profits have also grown, exceeding analyst expectations. However, the report acknowledges a slight decrease in profit margins, which warrants further investigation.

Resumes (Professional Summary, not Objective Statement)

While resumes don't typically use the term "objective summary," a well-written professional summary serves a similar purpose. It concisely highlights your most relevant skills, experience, and achievements, tailored to the specific job you're applying for.

Highly motivated marketing professional with 5+ years of experience in developing and executing successful marketing campaigns. Proven track record of increasing brand awareness and driving sales growth. Skilled in content marketing, social media marketing, and email marketing. Eager to leverage my skills and experience to contribute to [Company Name]'s ambitious growth goals.

Note: This is an example of a professional summary, not an objective statement.  An objective statement typically focuses on your career goals, while a professional summary highlights your qualifications for a specific role.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Objective Summaries

Crafting a strong objective summary requires focus and attention to detail. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

• Infiltrating Your Opinions: Remember, objectivity is key! Avoid injecting personal opinions, judgments, or interpretations. Instead of saying "This movie was a total waste of time," focus on factual information like "The film received negative reviews for its predictable plot."
• Plagiarism Patrol: Don't simply copy chunks of text from the source material. Rephrase the information in your own words while still conveying the same meaning. This demonstrates your understanding and avoids plagiarism.
• TMI (Too Much Information): Stick to the essentials. Don't get bogged down by irrelevant details that don't contribute to the main points. Your summary should be concise and focused on the core message of the original text.
• The Missing Pieces:  An objective summary shouldn't omit crucial information. Ensure you capture the main idea and key supporting arguments presented in the source material. If a concept is essential to understanding the overall message, be sure to include it in your summary.

By keeping these mistakes in mind, you can create objective summaries that accurately reflect the source material and effectively convey the key information.

Using AI Tools for Generating Objective Summaries

While mastering the art of crafting objective summaries is a valuable skill, there are situations where AI tools can offer a helping hand. In this section, we'll explore how AI can assist you and introduce   ScreenApp AI as a helpful resource.

Introduction to ScreenApp AI

ScreenApp AI is a tool that utilizes artificial intelligence to analyze text and extract key information. This can be particularly beneficial for generating objective summaries.

How ScreenApp AI Can Help with Objective Summaries

ScreenApp AI works by employing sophisticated algorithms to:

• Read and Comprehend Text: The AI carefully reads the text you provide, identifying the main ideas and supporting arguments.
• Extract Key Information: ScreenApp AI then sifts through the text, pinpointing the essential factual elements.
• Generate a Summary: Based on its analysis, the tool creates a concise summary that highlights the core message of the original text.

Best Practices for Using AI Tools

While AI tools like ScreenApp AI can be a valuable asset, it's important to remember that they are not foolproof. Here are some key practices to ensure the best results:

• Review and Edit:  AI-generated summaries should always be reviewed and edited by you.  This ensures accuracy, coherence, and removes any potential biases the AI might have introduced. Don't hesitate to revise the summary to ensure it accurately reflects your understanding of the source material.
• Maintain a Critical Eye:  While AI can be a great time-saver,  it's crucial to approach AI-generated summaries with a critical eye.  Double-check the information for factual accuracy and ensure the summary captures the essence of the original text.

Benefits of Using AI Tools for Objective Summaries

There are several advantages to using AI tools like ScreenApp AI for objective summaries:

• Save Time:  AI can quickly process lengthy texts, saving you valuable time that would be spent manually summarizing the material. This allows you to focus on analysis, interpretation, or other tasks.
• Ensure Consistency:  AI  can help maintain consistent quality in your summaries, especially when dealing with a large volume of text.
• Starting Point:  AI-generated summaries can serve as a helpful starting point, providing a foundational structure for you to build upon and refine as needed.

By understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI tools like ScreenApp AI ,  you can leverage them to enhance your efficiency and effectiveness in creating objective summaries.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Objective Summaries

• What is the difference between an objective summary and a subjective summary?

An objective summary focuses on factual information and avoids personal opinions, interpretations, or judgments. A subjective summary, on the other hand, may include your own thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the source material.

• Improves comprehension of the main ideas and arguments.
• Enhances critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Develops clear and concise communication skills.
• Saves time by providing a quick overview of a text.
• How long should an objective summary be?

There's no strict rule, but generally, an objective summary should be significantly shorter than the original text. Depending on the complexity, it could be a single paragraph or a few concise paragraphs.

Using AI Tools for Objective Summaries

• Can AI tools completely replace the need to write objective summaries myself?

No, AI tools are not a substitute for your own critical thinking and analysis. While they can generate summaries, it's important to review and edit them for accuracy, coherence, and completeness.

• Accuracy: Double-check the information in the AI-generated summary to ensure it reflects the source material accurately.
• Bias: Be aware that AI tools might have inherent biases. Review the summary for any potential slants that don't align with the original text.
• Clarity: AI-generated summaries might not always be perfectly clear or well-written. Edit the summary for readability and flow.
• Save time: AI can quickly process lengthy texts, freeing up your time for analysis or other tasks.
• Maintain consistency: AI can help ensure consistent quality in your summaries, especially when dealing with a large volume of text.
• Starting point: AI-generated summaries can serve as a helpful starting point for you to build upon and refine.

By understanding both objective summaries and AI tools, you can effectively utilize them to enhance your learning, communication, and critical thinking skills.

This guide has equipped you with the knowledge and tools to create informative and effective objective summaries. Here's a recap of the key takeaways:

• Objective summaries are concise retellings that focus on factual information and central ideas, omitting personal opinions or judgments.
• They offer a multitude of benefits, including enhancing comprehension, strengthening critical thinking, improving communication, and saving time.
• Crafting strong objective summaries is valuable in various contexts, from academic writing and business reports to professional summaries and everyday communication.

Ready to take your summarization skills to the next level?

Here are some helpful resources:

• Online Tutorials: Many educational websites offer interactive tutorials on writing objective summaries. These tutorials often include clear explanations, practical examples, and quizzes to test your understanding.
• Worksheets: Downloadable worksheets can provide guided practice in identifying main ideas, separating facts from opinions, and structuring summaries.
• Sample Objective Summaries: Analyze well-written objective summaries of various texts to understand best practices and different approaches.

Remember, effective summarization is a valuable skill that empowers you to:

• Process complex information efficiently.
• Communicate key points clearly and concisely.
• Strengthen your analytical and critical thinking abilities.

Sharpen Your Skills Through Practice:

• Practice writing objective summaries of different types of texts, such as news articles, research papers, or book chapters.
• Seek feedback: Share your summaries with peers, mentors, or online communities for constructive criticism. This can help you identify areas for improvement and refine your skills.

Developing strong summarization skills is an investment in your academic and professional success. By following the steps outlined in this guide, practicing regularly, and seeking feedback, you can become an expert at creating clear, concise, and objective summaries.

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When writing a summary, the goal is to compose a concise and objective overview of the original article. The summary should focus only on the article's main ideas and important details that support those ideas.

Guidelines for summarizing an article:

• State the main ideas.
• Identify the most important details that support the main ideas.
• Summarize in your own words.
• Do not copy phrases or sentences unless they are being used as direct quotations.
• Express the underlying meaning of the article, but do not critique or analyze.
• The summary should be about one third the length of the original article. 

Your summary should include:

• Give an overview of the article, including the title and the name of the author.
• Provide a thesis statement that states the main idea of the article.
• Use the body paragraphs to explain the supporting ideas of your thesis statement.
• One-paragraph summary - one sentence per supporting detail, providing 1-2 examples for each.
• Multi-paragraph summary - one paragraph per supporting detail, providing 2-3 examples for each.
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence.
• Use transitional words and phrases to connect ideas.
• Summarize your thesis statement and the underlying meaning of the article.

 Adapted from "Guidelines for Using In-Text Citations in a Summary (or Research Paper)" by Christine Bauer-Ramazani, 2020

Additional Resources

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Subjective vs. Objective Essay: Examples, Writing Guides, & Topics

Subjective or objective essay writing is a common task students have to deal with. On the initial stage of completing the assignment, you should learn how to differentiate these two types of papers. Their goals, methods, as well as language, tone, and voice, are different.

A subjective essay focuses on the writer’s personal opinion, while an objective one represents valid facts. So, be careful when composing an objective paragraph or paper. Don’t let your beliefs take over real arguments supported by substantial evidence.

In short, differences between these styles concern the following:

• The ground for objective essays is facts; for subjective essays – personal opinions and beliefs.
• Objective papers report the findings from scientific sources, while subjective ones describe the writer’s thoughts.
• The objective essay’s goal is to help the reader make a decision. Subjective writing aims to reflect the author’s vision of the issue.

So, if you face this task for the first time, you may need some explanations. Custom-writing.org experts prepared a list of tips on how to write objective and subjective essays. Some topics, as well as objective and subjective writing examples, will also be useful.

• 🆚 Subjective vs. Objective

🔗 References

🆚 subjective vs. objective essays.

First and foremost, let’s find out the critical differences between the writing styles. Take a look at the following table and shed light on this issue.

An objective essay is a presentation of the material with no independent opinion involved. Only facts matter in this paper, and only facts can back up some assertions. Writing subjective essays implies introducing your standpoint on a particular problem.

📋 How to Write an Objective Essay

Writing any essay consists of three parts: preparation, the actual writing, and revision. During the first one, you need to decide on your topic and do a little research. You can see how it looks in a real example.

Objective Essay Example: The Portrayal of Odysseus

In Odyssey, Homer portrays Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as the true epic hero. The depiction of Odysseus is thoughtfully knitted together with the themes of love and loyalty that further magnify it, painting a holistic picture of a long 10-year journey home. Although it can be argued that some of Odysseus’s personality traits he displays cannot be applied to a true hero, he is still depicted following a very specific heroic archetype.

Now, let’s get into more detail!

Objective Essay Topics

If you’ve decided to write an objective essay, you need to come up with a topic. The topic gives a reader a brief overview of what will be covered in the paper.

Here are ten great examples:

• While the differences between Italy and Spain are evident, the resemblances are striking.
• There are several similarities between the movies “Deep Impact” and “Armageddon.”
• Compare and contrast the capitals of two English-speaking countries.
• Somatic symptoms in people with PTSD can be influenced by age, gender, and avoidance.
• Some might argue, but being overweight carries a social stigma.
• Environmental factors contribute to the phenotypic expression of psychological disorders.
• Although the exact reason remains unclear, depression is affected by sex, gender, hormonal changes, and age.
• When comparing and contrasting the Bible and Quran, it seems that they have more similarities than differences.
• Musical ability is the result of influence on the person from outside.
• In comparison to extroverts, introverts draw power from within themselves to use it in future activities.

Objective Essay Structure

We shall continue with exploring an essay structure. Note that the parts described below are essential for any essay.

• Introduction . The introduction is usually the part that broadly describes the topic and gets the interest of the reader. This part of the paper should cover some background information and present the purpose.
• Hypothesis . In case your essay has one, state it in your introduction. A hypothesis includes information about how you intend to prove or refute the claim. It briefly describes the way you intend to do so.
• Arguments . Present one side of the argument. In the next paragraph, present the opposing one, using such words as “however,” “nevertheless,” and “although.” The task is to provide the readers with two sides of the argument.
• Evidence . Provide the evidence for all of your points. Keep the balance in providing proof and refutal. Omit your personal opinion, rather than include the evidence you find informative and convincing.
• Conclusion . Summarize the arguments both for and against the position. While remaining objective, shortly go over the information you presented as evidence. If the instructions require a personal opinion, in conclusion, you might write one. In other cases, briefly recap the parts of the essay. Shorten sentence generator would be greatly beneficial in such endeavor.

📜 How to Write a Subjective Essay

As we’ve mentioned earlier, a subjective essay represents the author’s vision of a particular issue. You have an opportunity to introduce your point of view without supporting your ideas with evidence from the primary sources. However, make sure your arguments are still logical and adequate.

Now see how to write a subjective essay in the sections below.

Subjective Writing Example

A well-chosen topic is the vital determinant of a successful essay. Yet, the process of selecting an idea for your paper might be challenging. That’s why you may find our example helpful.

The rapid pace of development of modern technologies increases the demand for oil and gas every year. A considerable amount of these resources is necessary to maintain both industrial enterprises and private equipment. Despite active production, there are still many unexplored places on Earth, potentially rich in oil and gas deposits. However, while making them public would help solve the existing problem, I’m afraid I disagree with this proposal.

Subjective Essay Topics

Check our list of subjective essay topics, choose the one you like the most, or inspire and come up with your idea!

• The fake and too glamorous life presented in social media leads to the development of an inferiority complex among teenagers.
• The information flows within the country should not be controlled by the governments.
• Since developed nations provoked the climate crisis, they should take full responsibility for their past actions and reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere.
• Cyberbullying should be a matter of the same importance as physical abuse.
• Remote learning opens more opportunities and expands the students’ horizons.
• Instead of catching up with fashion trends, it is better to develop your unique style.
• People should have enough rest to reduce the levels of anxiety and decrease the chances of depression.
• Studying abroad is an experience worth trying.
• Planning and scheduling are perfect strategies to deal with procrastination.
• While applying for a job position, work experience is more significant than having a degree.

📝 Subjective Essay Structure

When you deal with this task, you have full freedom of choice. You can decide for yourself what idea to support and what arguments to present. Still, you have to structure even a subjective essay properly.

Here are the elements you have to include in your paper:

• grab the readers’ attention;
• introduce your subject;
• state your position in the thesis statement.

Important note: your thesis should be clear and straightforward. Let your audience understand your opinion.

• Description . Dive deeper into your topic and describe your issue in detail. However, don’t go too far. Avoid including irrelevant facts and unnecessary information. Follow the principle “quality over quantity” to keep your reader engaged.
• Opinion . After describing your issue, move to the most crucial part of your essay—opinion. State it clearly and concisely. Although you don’t need to provide any evidence from scholarly sources, your ideas should be supported by substantial arguments or examples from your personal life.
• Conclusion . In the last paragraph of your subjective essay, restate your thesis statement. Don’t introduce any other ideas here. To make your paper more dynamic, ask a provocative question at the end. It may motivate your reader for further investigation of your subject.

A helpful tip:

Before submitting your work, make sure it is coherent. Check if all of your ideas follow the logical flow. To avoid redundancy and wordiness, mix shorter sentences with longer ones and apply transitional phrases. Polish your essay, turn it in, and wait for your perfect grade.

Thanks for reading the page! Share it with your peers who may need some guidance as well. Our writers are ready to explain any other essay type , not only objective or subjective ones.

Learn more on this topic:

• How to Write an Expository Essay in Simple Steps
• Nursing Reflective Essay Example and Guidelines for Students
• Essay on Dengue Fever: How to Write + Free Examples
• French Essay Writing: How-to Guide and Examples
• How to Write a Rebuttal Essay: Jackie Michael, Pen and the Pad
• Writing Objectively: OWLL, Massey University
• Subjective vs Objective: Difference and Comparison, Diffen
• Objective and Subjective Claims: TIP Sheet, Butte College
• Evidence: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Organizing Your Argument: Purdue Online Writing Lab, College of Liberal Arts, University of Purdue
• Argumentative Paper Format: Courtesy the Odegaard Writing & Research Center, University of Washington
• How Do I Write an Intro, Conclusion, & Body Paragraph: LSA Sweetland Center for Writing, the University of Michigan
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Glad to know that. Thank you very much, Farhana!

Subjective and reflective.

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• How to Write a Summary | Guide & Examples

How to Write a Summary | Guide & Examples

Published on 25 September 2022 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 12 May 2023.

Summarising , or writing a summary, means giving a concise overview of a text’s main points in your own words. A summary is always much shorter than the original text.

There are five key steps that can help you to write a summary:

• Read the text
• Break it down into sections
• Identify the key points in each section
• Write the summary
• Check the summary against the article

Writing a summary does not involve critiquing or analysing the source. You should simply provide an accurate account of the most important information and ideas (without copying any text from the original).

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Table of contents

When to write a summary, step 1: read the text, step 2: break the text down into sections, step 3: identify the key points in each section, step 4: write the summary, step 5: check the summary against the article, frequently asked questions.

There are many situations in which you might have to summarise an article or other source:

• As a stand-alone assignment to show you’ve understood the material
• To keep notes that will help you remember what you’ve read
• To give an overview of other researchers’ work in a literature review

When you’re writing an academic text like an essay , research paper , or dissertation , you’ll integrate sources in a variety of ways. You might use a brief quote to support your point, or paraphrase a few sentences or paragraphs.

But it’s often appropriate to summarize a whole article or chapter if it is especially relevant to your own research, or to provide an overview of a source before you analyse or critique it.

In any case, the goal of summarising is to give your reader a clear understanding of the original source. Follow the five steps outlined below to write a good summary.

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You should read the article more than once to make sure you’ve thoroughly understood it. It’s often effective to read in three stages:

• Scan the article quickly to get a sense of its topic and overall shape.
• Read the article carefully, highlighting important points and taking notes as you read.
• Skim the article again to confirm you’ve understood the key points, and reread any particularly important or difficult passages.

There are some tricks you can use to identify the key points as you read:

• Start by reading the abstract . This already contains the author’s own summary of their work, and it tells you what to expect from the article.
• Pay attention to headings and subheadings . These should give you a good sense of what each part is about.
• Read the introduction and the conclusion together and compare them: What did the author set out to do, and what was the outcome?

To make the text more manageable and understand its sub-points, break it down into smaller sections.

If the text is a scientific paper that follows a standard empirical structure, it is probably already organised into clearly marked sections, usually including an introduction, methods, results, and discussion.

Other types of articles may not be explicitly divided into sections. But most articles and essays will be structured around a series of sub-points or themes.

Now it’s time go through each section and pick out its most important points. What does your reader need to know to understand the overall argument or conclusion of the article?

Keep in mind that a summary does not involve paraphrasing every single paragraph of the article. Your goal is to extract the essential points, leaving out anything that can be considered background information or supplementary detail.

In a scientific article, there are some easy questions you can ask to identify the key points in each part.

If the article takes a different form, you might have to think more carefully about what points are most important for the reader to understand its argument.

In that case, pay particular attention to the thesis statement —the central claim that the author wants us to accept, which usually appears in the introduction—and the topic sentences that signal the main idea of each paragraph.

Now that you know the key points that the article aims to communicate, you need to put them in your own words.

To avoid plagiarism and show you’ve understood the article, it’s essential to properly paraphrase the author’s ideas. Do not copy and paste parts of the article, not even just a sentence or two.

The best way to do this is to put the article aside and write out your own understanding of the author’s key points.

Examples of article summaries

Let’s take a look at an example. Below, we summarise this article , which scientifically investigates the old saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’.

An article summary like the above would be appropriate for a stand-alone summary assignment. However, you’ll often want to give an even more concise summary of an article.

For example, in a literature review or research paper, you may want to briefly summarize this study as part of a wider discussion of various sources. In this case, we can boil our summary down even further to include only the most relevant information.

Citing the source you’re summarizing

When including a summary as part of a larger text, it’s essential to properly cite the source you’re summarizing. The exact format depends on your citation style , but it usually includes an in-text citation and a full reference at the end of your paper.

You can easily create your citations and references in APA or MLA using our free citation generators.

APA Citation Generator MLA Citation Generator

Finally, read through the article once more to ensure that:

• You’ve accurately represented the author’s work
• You haven’t missed any essential information
• The phrasing is not too similar to any sentences in the original.

If you’re summarising many articles as part of your own work, it may be a good idea to use a plagiarism checker to double-check that your text is completely original and properly cited. Just be sure to use one that’s safe and reliable.

A summary is a short overview of the main points of an article or other source, written entirely in your own words.

Save yourself some time with the free summariser.

A summary is always much shorter than the original text. The length of a summary can range from just a few sentences to several paragraphs; it depends on the length of the article you’re summarising, and on the purpose of the summary.

With the summariser tool you can easily adjust the length of your summary.

You might have to write a summary of a source:

• As a stand-alone assignment to prove you understand the material
• For your own use, to keep notes on your reading
• To provide an overview of other researchers’ work in a literature review
• In a paper , to summarise or introduce a relevant study

To avoid plagiarism when summarising an article or other source, follow these two rules:

• Write the summary entirely in your own words by   paraphrasing the author’s ideas.
• Reference the source with an in-text citation and a full reference so your reader can easily find the original text.

An abstract concisely explains all the key points of an academic text such as a thesis , dissertation or journal article. It should summarise the whole text, not just introduce it.

An abstract is a type of summary , but summaries are also written elsewhere in academic writing . For example, you might summarise a source in a paper , in a literature review , or as a standalone assignment.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

McCombes, S. (2023, May 12). How to Write a Summary | Guide & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved 27 May 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/working-sources/how-to-write-a-summary/

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Objective Summary

Objective summary generator.

All specific and general resumes have elements that HR or the hiring manager will quickly look at to determine if the applicant will be endorsed to the next steps in the employment process. One of the elements the HR or hiring managers will focus on is the objective   summary in one’s resume.

What is an Objective Summary?

An objective summary is a concise and unbiased representation of the main ideas, key points, and essential arguments of a text. It strips away personal opinions, interpretations, and extraneous details, focusing solely on the factual content. The goal is to provide readers with a clear understanding of the original material’s essence without introducing subjective judgment or analysis, allowing them to grasp the primary information quickly and efficiently. This type of summary is commonly used in academic writing, professional reports, and information analysis to present information in a straightforward, accessible manner

How to Write an Objective Summary?

• Read Thoroughly: Begin by reading the entire text carefully to understand its main ideas, arguments, and structure. Take notes on key points and supporting details.
• Identify Main Ideas: Determine the central theme or thesis of the text. Identify the primary arguments or points that the author uses to support this theme.
• Use Neutral Language: Write using neutral, unbiased language. Avoid any evaluative or subjective words that suggest personal opinions or feelings about the text.
• Be Concise: Summarize the main points and essential supporting details in a brief manner. An objective summary should be significantly shorter than the original text.
• Avoid Personal Commentary: Do not include your interpretations, analyses, or reactions to the text. The summary should reflect the author’s ideas and perspectives, not yours.
• Use Direct References: When mentioning specific arguments or points, refer directly to what the author says without paraphrasing too liberally. Use quotations for critical phrases, if necessary.
• Check for Accuracy: Review your summary to ensure it accurately represents the text’s main ideas and key points without adding or omitting important information.
• Revise for Clarity: Edit your summary for clarity, coherence, and readability. Ensure that it flows logically and can be understood by someone who hasn’t read the original text.

The Importance of an Objective Summary

• Efficiency : It allows readers to quickly grasp the essence of a document without reading it in its entirety, saving time and effort.
• Clarity : By distilling complex information into its core elements, an objective summary clarifies the main themes and arguments of the text.
• Neutral Perspective : Offering an unbiased overview, it helps readers understand the text without the influence of personal opinions or interpretations.
• Resource for Study : Students and researchers can use objective summaries as study aids to review key concepts and arguments from their readings.
• Foundation for Discussion : It provides a neutral basis for discussion, analysis, or further research, ensuring all participants have a common understanding of the text.
• Aid in Decision Making : For professionals, concise summaries of reports, articles, or proposals can aid in quick decision-making by presenting essential information without extraneous details.
• Accessibility : Makes complex or lengthy texts more accessible to a broader audience, including those who may not have the time or expertise to understand the original material in depth.
• Content Overview : Offers an overview of content for indexing, cataloging, or reviewing purposes, helping in the organization and retrieval of information.

How Long is an Objective Summary?

An objective summary is typically concise, aiming to distill the main ideas and essential arguments of a piece of writing into a brief overview. The length can vary depending on the original text’s length and complexity but generally ranges from a single paragraph to a few paragraphs. For most purposes, an objective summary should not exceed one-third of the original text’s length and often much less. In practical terms, this means a summary could be anywhere from a few sentences for a short article to a couple of paragraphs for a longer document. The key is to cover the core content accurately and succinctly without personal interpretation or unnecessary detail.

Tips to Write an Objective Summary

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• Understand the Text : Read thoroughly to grasp the main ideas and arguments. Highlight or note key points.
• Identify the Main Idea : Determine the central theme or thesis and focus on the author’s primary purpose.
• Use Neutral Language : Maintain a neutral, objective tone without personal opinions or biases.
• Be Concise : Summarize the text succinctly, focusing on essence rather than detail.
• Avoid Personal Interpretation : Reflect the author’s ideas accurately without adding your analysis or reactions.
• Include Key Points : Mention the main arguments or points that support the central idea, using examples or evidence judiciously.
• Use Direct Quotes Sparingly : Quote only when necessary for conveying specific important points; otherwise, paraphrase.
• Review for Accuracy : Ensure the summary accurately represents the text’s main points and theme.
• Edit for Clarity and Flow : Revise to improve clarity, coherence, and readability, ensuring a well-structured summary.
• Follow Guidelines : Adhere to any specific length or format guidelines provided for the assignment or purpose.

Objective Summary Outline Example 1

Objective Summary Outline Example 2

Objective Style Summary Example

Corporate Objective Summary Example

Resume Objective Summary Example

What Is an Objective Summary?

The objective summary acts as a short succinct summary of one’s resume profile , which will grab the attention of the HR or Hiring manager to check the content and overall context of your resume. The objective summary will also contain tidbits of your w ork experience and resume skills you have placed in your resume.

How to Write an Objective Summary

A well-written objective summary will not only vouch for your credibility but will also set the tone   of your resume. To write a well-written objective summary, be sure to make it succinct and straight to the point.

Step 1: Use an Objective Summary Outline

Begin by obtaining and using an objective summary outline or outline format as your main reference point. The objective summary outline will help provide structure and will help pace out the whole objective summary. 

Step 2: Write the Objective Summary

Write the objective summary which should have the length of a single paragraph. Be sure to keep the tone formal and limit the amount of flowery language in the objective summary

Step 3: Have Someone Proofread the Objective Summary

When you have finished writing the objective summary, you must have someone you trust to proofread the contents of your objective summary. This will eliminate any room for bias, which can interfere with the quality of your objective summary

Step 4: Edit the Objective Summary 

You must edit the objective summary to minimize any grammatical errors and issues that will be present in the objective summary. Not only that, but you should also follow or include the proofreader’s advice in the editing process

How long should an objective summary be?

The objective summary should span from three to five sentences. This is because the objective summary is a short succinct group of statements, which should not take too much time from the HR or hiring manager. This is to ensure that the time the HR or Hiring manager will spend on your resume will be short and efficient.

Objective summary vs. objective statement, what is the difference between an objective summary and an objective statement?

An objective summary is a short group of statements that spans three to five sentences in one’s resume, which should relay specific information and provide a theme   about a person’s personality and performance. An objective statement is a type of statement one will create and set for themselves, which will act as a way to motivate the person throughout their life.

Should I add my career goals to the objective summary?

Yes, the career goals will indicate to the HR and the hiring manager the trajectory you want to take in your career or profession. Having your career goals in your objective summary will improve your chances of being endorsed into the next step of the recruitment process.

An objective summary is a group of statements that will outline and indicate what the said person can offer to the company if the HR or hiring manager will endorse them. A well-made objective summary will improve one’s chances of moving forward in the recruitment or employment process.

How many words should an objective summary be?

An objective summary should be significantly shorter than the original text, typically ranging from 100 to 150 words, depending on the length and complexity of the source material. The goal is to concisely capture the main ideas and key points.

What does an objective summary include quizlet?

An objective summary on Quizlet would include the central ideas, main arguments, and essential details of a text, presented in a neutral and concise manner, devoid of personal opinion or interpretation.

Is an objective summary a paragraph?

Yes, an objective summary is often a single, cohesive paragraph that concisely outlines the main points and arguments of a text, although it can occasionally extend to two paragraphs for longer texts.

What is objective example?

An objective example refers to a fact or piece of information that is based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal biases. For instance, stating the temperature is 75 degrees Fahrenheit is an objective example.

What is the correct example of objective?

A correct example of an objective could be a specific, measurable goal, like “Increase monthly sales by 10% within the next quarter,” which is clear, quantifiable, and time-bound.

What is the three part method of objective writing?

The three-part method of objective writing involves stating a fact, providing evidence or examples to support that fact, and explaining the significance or implication of the fact, all while maintaining neutrality and avoiding personal bias.

How do you write a three part objective?

To write a three-part objective, start by clearly stating your goal or what you aim to achieve. Next, specify the conditions or context under which the goal will be accomplished. Finally, set the criteria for success or how the achievement of the goal will be measured.

Text prompt

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• Professional

Crafting an Objective Summary: Key Steps

Objective Summary: Techniques and Tips

The Art of Writing an Objective Summary

Mastering the Objective Summary in Writing

Objective Summary Essentials for Students

Creating a Powerful Objective Summary

Objective Summary: A Quick Guide

How to Nail Your Objective Summary

Objective Summary: From Start to Finish

Polishing Your Objective Summary Skills

Objective Summary Generator

Condense any text into an objective summary with this free online tool. All you need to do is paste the piece into the textbox and choose the number of sentences you want the result to contain.

Add the text below

Summary length (sentences)

• ✅️ Our Tool’s Benefits
• ⚡ What Is a Summary Generator?
• 📃 Objective Summary Definition
• ✍️ Summarizer Tool Vs. Manual Summarizing
• 🪄 Objective Summary Examples

🔗 References

✅️ objective summary maker: the benefits.

What makes our tool the best objective summary maker? Let’s see:

⚡ What Is an Objective Summary Generator?

A summary is a crucial part of writing assignments . An objective summary gathers the essential information from a source and presents it in a structured way. It shows how well you understand the topic and interpret it. Summaries are also necessary for revising information you’ve read in a source earlier. 

Our professional objective summary maker is an online tool that helps students to create summaries. It is effortless to use and doesn’t cost a cent. Read this article to learn how to write an objective summary and what tricks to use.

📃 Objective Summary – Definition, Format, & Requirements

Let’s start with the definition of an objective summary . 

An objective summary is a brief overview of a text; it does not include an author’s opinion. This type of summary is helpful in both academic and professional writing. You can summarize any kind of media or other sources of information. In this article, we will focus on academic paper summaries . 

So, what is the primary function of a summary? 

It helps readers understand a source’s general idea and main points without reading the full version. In academic writing, the size of a summary depends on the word count and instructors’ requirements. 

It is usually about 10-15% of a paper’s word count . 

A summary is usually the last paragraph of an essay. In some cases, it can be a separate piece. 

Objective summaries are also helpful when you need to refresh your knowledge about something. For example, you need to refer to several literature pieces to do your homework. Instead of reading the full texts, you can save your time and skim summaries. 

And here is what an objective summary should include: 

• Factual statements about the subject. 
• Only the information your sources contain. 
• Paraphrased thesis statement. 
• Minor points in addition to the main ones. 
• No grammar or vocabulary mistakes. 
• The same tone of voice as the rest of the writing. 

✍️️ Objective Summary Writer Vs. Manual Summarizing

Of course, manual summarizing is different from what AI can offer you. In this part of the article, we will discuss both ways of summarizing. Read on to see the differences. 

Objective Summary Writer Tool 

Use our summary generator in three simple steps: 

• Select and paste the text you need to summarize. Make sure the piece contains not more than 15,000 characters. If it exceeds the word limit, split it into two or more parts. 
• Choose the number of sentences you need in your summary . This is a unique feature of our tool – you can regulate the summary size depending on the text word count. 
• Click “Summarize” below the text . That’s all you need to receive your summary. 

We recommend reviewing and polishing your summary to match the desired tone and word choice. 

Manual Summarizing 

Now, how to start and finish a summary on your own? There is no ultimate template that can fit all summaries as their purpose and format can be different. But we made a list of recommendations that apply to most cases. 

Just follow this step-by-step guide: 

• Read the text. While doing this, make sure you understand all of its essential concepts. If you need any clarifications, search for the meanings of the unknown terms online. 
• Write down the key messages . Note the major and minor points of the text. You can also highlight this information right in the text. 
• Create a list of the main points . Make each issue brief instead of writing in whole sentences. You will use it as an outline for your summary. 
• Write your first draft . Use the outline to write a summary. It can be a bit longer than you need. You can reduce the word count later. 
• Check your summary . Reduce the word count if necessary. Make sure your writing does not copy the initial text. 

🪄 Objective Summary Generator – Examples

Now, let’s finally check out how our objective summary generator works. Below are examples of two short texts and automatically generated summaries.

Initial piece:

We cannot feel climate change in our daily lives, but we must live with its consequences. As glaciers melt, there are more risks of seasonal and permanent flooding, bigger and stronger hurricanes and typhoons, and irreversible changes in natural habitat for many species. Dried areas are prone to wildfires, which pose high risks to local flora, fauna, and human well-being. These effects of climate change also lead to food shortage, poverty due to displacement, higher chances of diseases, and loss of species. Therefore, enforcing laws that aim to fight climate change is an obligatory measure for governmental institutions worldwide.

Summarized piece:

The effects of climate change include floods, intense storms, wildfires, food shortages, poverty, diseases, and extinction. Due to these risk factors, governments should adopt laws addressing climate change as a necessary measure.

Being a teenager is a stressful experience on various levels. Body changes as adolescents enter this phase, which causes stress to your physical and psychological systems. In addition, multiple factors such as peer pressure or personal dilemmas can increase tension. That is why teenagers should do regular medical check-ups that involve mental health screenings. Every institution should have a trustworthy mental counselor to help students overcome challenges. Moreover, schools should provide extracurricular stress management classes for those who find it hard to discuss their problems.

Adolescence is stressful and causes many challenges. That’s why schools and colleges should regularly provide mental health check-ups, counseling, stress management classes, and other practices to help teenagers handle the stress.

Thank you for reading this article! Check the other writing instruments we offer.

❓ Objective Summary Maker FAQ

❓ what is an objective summary.

An objective summary is usually a one-paragraph text that briefly describes a source of information. Objective summaries are standard in professional and academic environments. They do not include an author’s judgment, evaluation, or personal opinion.

❓ How to write an objective summary?

Cover the main points of an initial source. Avoid stating your opinion and using emotional language. Reread the text to check if you have mentioned all the vital information. Better paraphrase than use the original wording. Don’t forget to proofread the summary.

❓ How long should an objective summary be?

In academic writing, better rely on your instructor’s recommendations. If you don’t have specific requirements, make it 10-15% of the overall word count. If you create a summary for yourself, make it as long as you want. Just be sure that your summary will be enough to remember the original text.

❓ Which sentence is an example of an objective summary?

An objective summary in a sentence is basically a central idea of a text or a paraphrased thesis statement. Here is an example of an objective summary of a scientific article:

“The research conducted in 2006 has shown that regular consumption of nuts reduces daily calory intake, risks of heart diseases, and inflammation.”

• How to Summarize a Text in English (7 Easy Steps) | Iris Reading  
• EAP Summarizing & Note-Taking – Introduction  
• What an Objective Summary Is and How to Write One (With Examples) | Indeed.com  
• 11 Top Online Study Tools Every Student Needs in 2022 • The College Post  
• Writing a Summary | UAGC Writing Center  

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