Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Class/NIM : K3-21/21018054
Subject : Critical Reading and Thinking
Summarizing
Summarizing is the process of condensing a larger piece of text, such as an article,
book, speech, or any written or spoken content, into a shorter and more concise version
while retaining the essential ideas, main points, and key details. The purpose of
summarizing is to provide a clear and succinct overview of the original content, making it
easier for readers or listeners to grasp the main message and key information without
going through the entire source.
Here are the steps to effectively summarize a text:
1. Read Carefully: Thoroughly read the entire text you intend to summarize. Take your
time to understand the content, paying close attention to the main ideas, supporting
details, and any significant examples or evidence.
2. Highlight or Note Key Points: As you read, highlight or make notes about the main
points, key concepts, arguments, or important details in the text. This will help you
keep track of what you need to include in your summary.
3. Identify the Main Idea: Determine the central message or thesis statement of the text.
This is often found in the introduction or conclusion and serves as the core idea that
the author wants to convey.
4. Omit Irrelevant Information: Exclude minor details, examples, and less important
information that does not contribute significantly to the main message or argument.
Focus on what is essential for understanding the text.
5. Paraphrase and Condense: Express the main points and key information in your own
words while maintaining the original meaning. Avoid direct quotations and rephrase
the content to make it more concise.
6. Organize the Summary: Structure your summary in a clear and logical manner.
Present the main ideas in the same order they appear in the original text, using
appropriate transitions to maintain coherence.
7. Use Reporting Language: Typically, summaries are written in the third person and
use reporting verbs such as "states," "argues," "explains," or "illustrates" to attribute
the ideas to the original author.
8. Check for Accuracy: Ensure that your summary accurately represents the main ideas
and key details of the original text. Avoid introducing your own opinions or
interpretations.
9. Conclude Succinctly: End your summary with a brief conclusion that restates the
central message or takeaway of the original content. Keep this conclusion concise and
to the point.
10. Review and Edit: Carefully review your summary for clarity, conciseness, and
accuracy. Make any necessary revisions to improve the quality of your summary.
11. Cite the Source: If you are summarizing someone else's work, it's important to
provide proper citation to give credit to the original author and source. Follow the
citation style guidelines required for your context (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago).
12. Practice and Seek Feedback: Summarizing effectively is a skill that improves with
practice. Seek feedback from peers or mentors to refine your summarization skills.