How to use the summary card maker
- Paste the article, report or blog post you want to summarize and choose how many evidence boxes (2 to 4) you want.
- Press "Make summary card" and the main claim appears on top with evidence boxes below. You can switch between the pyramid and mind map layouts.
- Copy the result as text or save it as a PNG image for reports, presentations and blogs.
What is the Pyramid Principle
The Pyramid Principle is a writing method laid out by consultant Barbara Minto in which the conclusion or main claim goes at the top and supporting arguments are grouped beneath it. Readers are short of time, so they learn the conclusion first and go down to the evidence only when they need to. The "main claim → evidence 1, 2, 3" card this tool makes visualizes exactly that structure.
A good pyramid needs the supports on one level to avoid overlapping while covering the claim above completely. This is often called MECE. If there are too many supports, group them into about three, and adding concrete backing such as numbers or examples to each makes it more persuasive.
Writing efficiently with summary cards
When reading a long text, extract the key sentences with this tool first to grasp the structure, then read the original and it becomes clear which parts are claims and which are evidence. Students doing research can build up a summary card for each paper or article to make comparison easy later.
You can also use it in reverse when writing. If a card made from your draft shows a main claim different from what you intended or evidence that looks overlapping, your structure is probably unclear. Put the conclusion in the first paragraph and the gist of each supporting point in the first sentence of its paragraph, and both readers and summarizers will find your point.
Polishing the result
- Treat the extracted sentences as a draft and refine the wording yourself.
- Try different evidence counts and pick the most natural structure.
- Sources and dates are not part of the summary, so note them separately.
- Credit the original when quoting and be careful with the amount taken from copyrighted text.
- Texts with many tables, figures or dialogue are hard to split into sentences and may give less accurate results.
FAQ
Is the summary written by AI?
No. The tool scores every sentence using clues such as word frequency, sentence position and linking words, then picks the important ones. It copies original sentences without rewriting, so facts are not altered, but a sentence that matters in context may be left out.
Is the pasted text sent to a server?
No. All processing happens in your browser on this page, and your text is not transmitted or stored.
How is the main claim chosen?
Sentences that contain many frequent words, the first or last sentence, and sentences with summarizing words such as therefore or in conclusion score higher. Evidence sentences are preferred when they do not overlap with already chosen ones and contain numbers, findings or reasons.
Notes & limitations
This tool picks original sentences by calculating importance. It does not understand meaning or verify facts. Always check important summaries for school or work against the original text.