Writing a Summary

• 4th grade
• 5th grade
• CCSS RI.4.2
• CCSS W.4.8
• CCSS W.5.8

A written summary tells the most important ideas of a text in a short paragraph, in your own words. It starts with the title and main idea, adds a few key details, and leaves out opinions and small details.

How to write a summary

Reading for a summary and writing one are two halves of the same skill. To write it, start with a sentence that names the text and its main idea: "In 'Saving the Monarchs,' the author explains why monarch butterflies are disappearing and how people can help." Then add two or three key details that support it.

Paraphrase: say it in your own words, not the author's. A good trick is to read, cover the text, then write from memory. Don't include your opinion ("I thought it was great") or tiny details (exact numbers that don't matter). The summary should be much shorter than the original: roughly a quarter of the length or less.

4th graders summarize texts (RI.4.2) and take notes on sources (W.4.8); 5th graders summarize and paraphrase in notes and finished work (W.5.8). Summarizing is the core skill of short research projects.

A summary frame

Fill in the blanks, then smooth it into a paragraph.

For stories, use Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then instead; for nonfiction, use this frame.

From article to summary

Article (about 120 words): The Great Wall of China is one of the longest structures ever built. Workers began building walls more than 2,000 years ago to protect China from invaders from the north. Over hundreds of years, different emperors added sections and connected them. The wall stretches across mountains, deserts and grasslands. It is made of stone, brick, packed earth and wood. Watchtowers along the wall let soldiers send smoke signals. Today, millions of tourists visit each year, and parts of it are crumbling.

1. Opening: The article "The Great Wall of China" explains how and why the wall was built.
2. Key detail: It was built over hundreds of years to protect China from northern invaders.
3. Key detail: It crosses mountains and deserts and has watchtowers for sending signals.
4. Wrap-up: Today it is a popular tourist site, though parts are falling apart.
5. Total: 4 sentences, about 60 words.
6. Too detailed: It is made of stone, brick, packed earth and wood.
7. Opinion: I think the Great Wall is amazing.
8. Copied: "Workers began building walls more than 2,000 years ago..."
9. Own words: "It was built over hundreds of years."
10. Shorter than the original: yes.

The materials list is true but isn't needed to understand the main idea. That's the test for every detail.

How to teach summary writing

Five short steps, about 15 minutes each.

1. Read twice. First for understanding, then to find the big ideas.
2. Find the main idea. What is the whole text mostly about?
3. Pick 2–3 key details. Only the ones needed to understand the main idea.
4. Cover and write. Write from memory in your own words.
5. Cut opinions and extras. Check length: much shorter than the original.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Practice: summary writing quiz

10 questions. Your child can tap the speaker to hear a question read aloud. The first try on each question counts toward the score.

1. 1.What does the first sentence of a summary include?

   🔈
   the title and main idea your opinion a small detail
   Show answer

   The title and main idea.

2. 2.What does paraphrase mean?

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   say it in your own words copy it exactly
   Show answer

   Say it in your own words.

3. 3.Which belongs in a summary?

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   The wall was built to protect China from invaders. I think the wall is amazing.
   Show answer

   The wall was built to protect China from invaders.

4. 4.How long should a summary be compared to the original?

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   much shorter the same length
   Show answer

   Much shorter.

5. 5.How many key details should you include?

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   two or three every detail
   Show answer

   Two or three.

6. 6.What's a good trick to avoid copying?

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   cover the text and write from memory copy faster
   Show answer

   Cover the text and write from memory.

7. 7.Tap the word that shows an opinion.

   🔈

   I think the article was great.

   Show answer

   think (I think).

8. 8.Which is a good opening?

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   In "Animals in Winter," the author explains how animals survive the cold. Bears sleep.
   Show answer

   In "Animals in Winter," the author explains how animals survive the cold.

9. 9.Which detail would you leave out?

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   the exact materials the wall is made of why the wall was built
   Show answer

   The exact materials the wall is made of.

10. 10.For a story summary, which frame works well?

    🔈
    Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then ARMS
    Show answer

    Somebody-Wanted-But-So-Then.

Writing a Summary worksheet (free PDF)

Writing a Summary Worksheet, 4th–5th grade

Read a short article, cross out details that don't belong, fill in a summary frame and write the summary. Prints on US Letter paper, with an answer key.

Download the PDF

Try it at home

• News in 3 sentences: summarize an article together.
• Cover and write: no peeking.
• Opinion check: cross out I think.
• Movie summary: in one paragraph.
• Text messages: summarize your day in two lines.

What comes next

Next: short research projects. Earlier: book reports. Related reading: summarizing and main idea.

Last reviewed: November 11, 2026

Questions parents ask