Writing a Summary: A Comprehensive Guide
This page provides a detailed guide on how to write an effective summary, a valuable skill for condensing lengthy texts into their essential components. The process is divided into three main stages: planning, writing, and revising.
A. The Planning Stage
The planning stage is crucial for understanding the text and identifying its key elements. It involves:
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Careful reading or listening to the text, highlighting important information or taking notes. It's also important to identify the type of text you're dealing with.
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A second read-through or listen, focusing on answering the '5 Ws' (Who? What? Where? When? Why?) and possibly 'What is the consequence?'
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Deciding which passages contain essential information for the summary and which can be omitted (e.g., numbers, examples, comparisons, quotes, imagery, direct speech).
Highlight: The planning stage is fundamental for a good summary, as it helps you grasp the text's core message and structure.
B. The Writing Stage
Once you've thoroughly analyzed the text, you can begin writing your summary:
- Start with one or two introductory sentences that include essential aspects like title, author, topic, source, and main message.
Example: "The text 'XY' written by ZZ and published in the AAA magazine on ???, deals with the problem of increasing problems."
Vocabulary: Language support phrases are provided to help structure your introduction, such as "The story/text is about..." or "The text deals with..."
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Use the present tense and your own words rather than copying directly from the text. Incorporate linking words to improve flow.
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Conclude your summary by restating the main message or action.
Example: "All in all, the text focuses on..." or "The intention of the text is..."
C. Revising Stage
The final stage involves checking and refining your summary:
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Ensure your summary contains the most important facts and ideas from the original text, expressed in your own words.
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Verify that unnecessary details have been omitted.
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Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
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Confirm that you've consistently used the present tense.
Highlight: The revising stage is crucial for producing a polished, accurate summary that effectively captures the essence of the original text.
This guide provides a structured approach to summary writing, offering a valuable tool for students looking to improve their English summary skills. By following these steps, you can create concise, informative summaries that capture the essence of longer texts.