Read the work that is going to be summarized. Mark any particularly important passages that you would like to include in your summary.
Write down the most important parts of the piece in your own words. Use these ideas to create an outline of your summary.
Write three to five details for each point in your outline.
Refer back to the original document to make sure that you have not omitted pertinent details. Fill in omissions as necessary.
Use the outline to create a rough draft of your summary.
Refer back to the passage to make sure that you have not inadvertently restated any information in the author's original words. Make necessary adjustments.
Create your final draft from your revised rough draft.