Back in college I thought a summary was just “shorten the text.” Then a professor handed my paper back with red ink that basically said, “Nice chop-job, but you missed the point.” Ouch.

After plenty of book reports, business briefs, and blog recaps, I’ve boiled good summarizing down to seven bite-size tips anyone can follow. I’ll also flag where Merlin AI can jump in to shave minutes off the job and tighten your prose.

Tip 1: Read (or Watch) for Gist, Then Details

Skim first to grab the big idea. Ask yourself:

• What’s the main argument or storyline?
• Who or what changes from start to finish?
• Why does it matter?

Only after that quick pass should you re-read with a highlighter for supporting points. 📌 You can’t shrink something until you understand it.

Tip 2: Identify the Author’s Thesis or Core Message

In one sentence, nail the text’s central claim:

“Smith argues that remote work boosts productivity by 15 percent when teams have clear goals and flexible hours.”

Everything else in your summary hangs on this spine. If the source is a story, swap thesis for the theme or moral:

“Greed ruins friendships.” Quick Merlin Move> Paste a paragraph into Merlin and ask: “Extract the single-sentence thesis.”> Compare its answer with your own to confirm you’re on track.

Tip 3: Group Supporting Points, Don’t List Every Detail

A summary isn’t a bullet-for-bullet recap. Instead, bundle:

• Evidence or examples that back the thesis
• Counterarguments (if any)
• Conclusion or takeaway

🧠 Think in sentences, not pages. Condensing a 20-page report? Aim for a single paragraph, not one-per-page.

Merlin AI Magic> Feed Merlin headers or highlights and prompt:> “Combine these notes into three concise support sentences.”> It’ll merge overlapping ideas so your summary flows instead of stutters.

Tip 4: Use Your Own Words—Paraphrase, Don’t Copy

Copy-paste feels easy but:

❌ Risks plagiarism ❌ Often bloats the summary ✅ Doesn’t reflect your grasp of the topic

Example:

• Original: “The proliferation of autonomous vehicles portends a paradigm shift in urban planning.”
• Summary: “Self-driving cars could change how cities are designed.”

📌 Use simple, everyday language. If quoting, keep it short and credit the source.

Tip 5: Keep Order but Skip Minor Tangents

Stick to the original structure:

1. Thesis
2. Supporting points
3. Conclusion

But feel free to ditch the fluff side stories, fun facts, or long stats that don’t change the main message.

✅ Quick check: If removing a detail wouldn’t change the meaning, leave it out.

Tip 6: Finish With the Author’s Conclusion (and Implications)

End your summary with what the author decided or proved, and when useful, why it matters:

“Smith concludes that flexible scheduling will become a competitive advantage for companies by 2030.” Merlin AI Assist> Prompt: “Rewrite this 60-word conclusion in 25 words without losing meaning.”> Merlin trims fat while preserving punch.

Tip 7: Proofread for Length, Clarity, and Neutral Tone

📏 Length: Aim for 10–20% of the original.

(A 1 000-word article = 100–200-word summary)

🔍 Clarity test: Read aloud—sentences should sound smooth and simple.

🎯 Neutrality check: Avoid opinions or “I think.” Stick to what the author says.

Run Merlin’s Grammar Check to catch typos, repeated words, or passive voice.> One last sweep = a crisp, professional summary.

Conclusion: Your Next Summary, Done in Minutes

To recap (yes, pun intended):

1. Skim for the gist, then dig into details
2. Pinpoint the thesis in one sentence
3. Bundle supporting points into lean sentences
4. Paraphrase, don’t paste
5. Stick to main ideas; ditch tangents
6. Close with the author’s conclusion
7. Lean on Merlin AI for extracting theses, condensing sections, and proofreading

Follow these seven practical tips and the next time someone asks, “Can you summarize this?” you’ll smile, open Merlin for a quick assist, and deliver a concise, clear recap—professor-approved, boss-pleasing, and cursor-blink stress-free.

Happy summarizing!