- 1). Carefully read the details in the introduction. An introduction in a book overview may be one or several paragraphs. The introduction may tell you a number of things such as why the author wrote the book, what its importance and significance are, how the book is unique, and what the general content of the book is.
- 2). Pay attention to the different section headings or major ideas. For example, the overview may say that the book is divided into three parts and then tell you the main content of each part. A short overview written to advertise the book may highlight three or four significant themes or ideas discussed in the book. A book reviewer may select three or four ideas that she thinks represents the essence of the book.
- 3). Focus on the conclusion of the overview. The conclusion may provide additional details not mentioned in the other parts of the overview that enlighten you about aspects of the book.
- 4). Search for a one sentence hook that captures the substance of the book. Authors, advertisers, and book reviewers all rely on memorable and pithy sentences to summarize the book in a nutshell. The hook may be at the very beginning of the overview or tucked away someplace else.
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