Brainstorming Questions for the Summary

Before you write an outline or a draft of your summary essay, you may find it helpful to answer the questions below. They will help you think about the structure of the argument you plan to summarize.

What do you think is the main claim? 

In other words, what does the writer most want to convince us of? Where is the writer going with all this? If they had to make their point in just one sentence, what would they say? Explain in your own words.

What are the argument’s reasons, counterarguments, and limits?

• • What reasons does the author give for the main claim? (See 2.5 Links to an external site.)
  • What, if any, counterarguments are described? (See 2.6 Links to an external site.)
  • Does the author respond to the counterarguments? (See 2.7 Links to an external site.)
  • Does the author put any limits on their claims? (See 2.8 Links to an external site.)

How will you describe the argument’s claims, reasons, and counterarguments?

• • • Introduce the argument and describe claims of policy, fact, or value (See 3.2 Links to an external site.).
    • Describe the reasons given (See 3.3 Links to an external site.).
    • Describe how the author handles counterarguments (See 3.4 Links to an external site.).
    • Describe how the author limits the argument (See 3.5 Links to an external site.).

How can you put it all together?

• • • • Consider how to organize your summary (See 3.6 Links to an external site.).