Read the article several times. Write comments in the margins to clarify points and ask questions if you do not understand something in the piece. Repeat this process so you don't miss anything important.
Prepare a mind map of the principal points and arguments made in the article. Work out what the article is about and focus on the major conclusions. Write out in skeleton form how the writer develops each argument and how they reach conclusions.
Prepare an outline of the main points and how you will convey them in a five paragraph summary. Outlines need to be analytical, not chronological. It is not necessary to reproduce each point as it chronologically appears in the article. Chronological outlines can obscure the bigger picture of an argument. Think about how the main points are related and integrate them into your paragraphs.
Write your summary, starting with a draft. Rewrite the summary until it is well-organized and the major points are clearly and directly presented. The main points require examples that provide sufficient detail. Use straightforward language to get your points across clearly. Organize the main points into paragraphs.