Ss

                                              SUMMARY


In summarizing, you want to capture the essence of what the author has said but in fewer words.
Summary provides the gist – essential elements and arguments.


A.     To summarize, follow these steps:


1.      Quickly read through the text to gain an impression of the information, its content and its
relevance to your work, underline/highlight the main points as you read.

2.      Re-read the text, making a note of the main points and/or make a mind map.

3.      Put away the original and rewrite your notes in your own words.

4.      Begin your summary. Restate the main idea at the beginning of your summary, indicating
where your information is from.

5.      Mention other major points.

6.      Change the order of the points if necessary to make the construction more logical.

7.      Re-read the work to check that you have included all the important information clearly and
expressed it as economically as possible.


B.     In a short summary, you may follow these steps:


a.       Read the passage several times.

b.      Decide on the essential points, write down key words and expresssions that remind you of
these essential points.

c.       Expend your key words into a sentence or two.



To sum up, the original text can be shortened by means of several techniques


·        deleting

·        selecting

·        note taking

·        miniaturizing



C.   Discuss the characteristics of an effective summary.

      Are the following statements true or false?


a.       The same order of facts and ideas as the original

b.      Similar wording to the original with occasional phrases exactly the same

c.       Different sentence patterns from the original

d.      Additional information, which the original writer ommitted but which helps an understanding
of the subject

e.       A personal comment on the subject

f.        Simpler vocabulary than the original

g.       Identification of key points in the original



                                       Summary – Vocabulary


When writing about something you have read, you will often want to refer to what the writer says.
The word ´says´, however, is a neutral one. Some other words can be used to indicate an author´s
writing or argument strategy. For example: If, instead of writing “the author says“, you write
„“the author compares“ or „“the author defines,“ your reader will know something about how the
author develops his or her ideas.


declares

states

asserts

           explains

           analyzes

           considers

                         assumes

                         implies

                         indicates

                                   ridicules

                                   laughs at

                                   makes fun of

                                   pokes fun at

notes

writes

           informs

           reviews


                                   assures

mentions

           compares

           contrasts

                         suggests

                         recommends

                         advocates

                                   stresses





remarks

comments

claims

           connects

           correlates

                         advises

                                   emphasizes

approves of

applauds

agrees

favours

           argues

           criticizes

           complains

           disapproves of

           is shocked by

                         reasons

                         recalls

                         remembers

                                   introduces

                                   concludes



                         believes

                         thinks

                         decides

                                   protests

                                   resolves


These words are all in the present tense. This is one of the conventions of academic writing. Even
though the author wrote the book or article in the past, you are reading it now, and so, in a
sense, the author is talking to you now.

Examples:

            The author criticizes the President for failing to review this problem more thoroughly.

            The author recalls an event that took place years ago.

            Although the author assures the reader that he has researched his topic, he doesn´t
         document his evidence.

According to the author, Albany is full of corrupt politicians. – This is the author´s opinion an
opinion that others might challenge.


The author attempts to persuade the reader to support his cause









                                         Transition words


show how ideas are connected to each other, helping the reader follow the writer´s train of
thought.



although

however

while

nevertheless

but

still

                 since

                 because

                 consequently

                 thus

                                           briefly

                                           in conclusion

on the one hand

on the other hand

in contrast

comparing

                 then

                 therefore

                 as a result

                 so that

                                           certainly

                                           obviously

                                           of course

likewise

similarly

                 moreover

                 furthermore

                 in addition

                 first, second, third, etc.

                                           for example

                                           for instance

                                           in other words


next

later

finally


                                           before

                                           after



                                           above

                                           below