Organize the material into a three-act outlined structure. Most material should naturally be split into three acts, with each act ending on an important plot point. However, longer books may have five or six acts, so break down your outline accordingly. The outline should be one to two pages long, or longer if your summary needs to be over five pages.
Cover only the important plot points within the structure. This includes the things that move characters forward in the story. For example, in "Jurassic Park," some important plot points would be that characters arrive at the island, that they meet the dinosaurs, and that a huge storm is looming. When writing the basic outline, leave out mundane things like eating lunch or flying in a helicopter.
Make a list of important characters within the story. After writing a character's name, add one or two sentences about him and any changes he goes through in the story. For example: "John, 31, is a shy, awkward man who grows to become a confident leader and falls for Lucy."
Write out a list of settings used within the material. A good summary includes details about the settings and how they affect or interact with the story's plot. For example, the setting may be an island, which could be a metaphor for isolation.
Write out any themes or messages that the story delivers. In many summaries, especially summaries for academic classes, it's crucial to demonstrate an understanding of a story's themes. Themes are often open for interpretation, so when you find the theme in your material, expand on this theme with three to four basic ideas about why this theme applies.
Begin your summary with a basic overview of the plot. This is known as the log line, and can usually be written in two to three sentences. For example, "Jurassic Park" could be written as "A group of archeologists visit a 20th-century theme park where dinosaurs take over after a power outage." This helps the reader know what to expect in the full summary.
Write out the rest of the summary in an act-by-act structure. Use simple plot points to convey the story, but slip in specific examples to show your understanding and give the reader some visuals. These examples are a good place to show metaphors or characterizations in the story. For example, in "Jurassic Park" Dr. Grant gives clues to his lifestyle when he cannot buckle himself into a helicopter. Frustrated, he showcases his quick critical thinking by tying the seat belt into a knot.
Use all of your outline, character, setting and theme notes to complete the summary. Try to spread out the summary so as to focus on all acts equally.
End the summary with the underlying message of the material, if there is one. Does the ending settle everything or leave things open for a sequel? What can people take or learn from the book, and how did the characters change throughout the story?