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:

1. 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.

2. A second read-through or listen, focusing on answering the '5 Ws' (Who? What? Where? When? Why?) and possibly 'What is the consequence?'

3. 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:

1. 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..."

2. Use the present tense and your own words rather than copying directly from the text. Incorporate linking words to improve flow.

3. 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:

1. Ensure your summary contains the most important facts and ideas from the original text, expressed in your own words.

2. Verify that unnecessary details have been omitted.

3. Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

4. 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.