1. Read the article carefully - twice!

Remember this: a summary is mostly a reading exercise.  It is impossible to write an accurate summary after reading an article quickly or just one time.  Most problems in summary writing have more to do with understanding the text than writing the summary.

2. Begin your summary by mentioning the author and title.  The publication and date may also be mentioned.

Margaret Talbot's essay "The Gender Trap" (Washington Post Magazine 11/20/94) examines the value of women's colleges today.

3. At least once more in your summary, remind the reader that you are summarizing by mentioning the author again - by last name, or full name (never refer to the author by first name only)

Talbot finds strong support for women's colleges from many of their graduates.

4. Avoid unnecessary details and direct quotes

Summaries are supposed to give general information only; if the reader needs details, he needs to read the original piece.  Direct quotes are almost always unnecessary details.

5. Don't give your own opinion

The form and expression of a summary makes it clear to the reader that you are accurately presenting the ideas of another author.  If you add your own opinion to an otherwise well-formed summary, your opinion will appear to be that of the author's.

6. Keep it short - one paragraph is best for many people

There's no strict law about how long a summary can be, but since part of its purpose is to save time, it needs to be short.