What is a summary?

 A summary is a shortened passage, which retains the

essential information of the original.

 It is a fairly brief restatement --- in your own words --

- of the contents of a passage.

 A summary is a significant reduction of the original

source = A shortened version of a text

 Summarizing condenses the main points in your own

words . . . .
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What is a summary?
 What is a summary?

 The primary purpose of a summary is to "give an

accurate, objective representation of what the work
says.
 Note: you simply report back what the writer has
said, without making value judgments.
Do not express an opinion about the source . . . .

Neither
…nor sing
disagree
its praises.
...

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 Characteristics of a good summary

➝Can be understood without reference to the original;

➝Is a faithful reproduction of, or contains only the
ideas or information of, the original;
➝Is brief without any unnecessary detail;
➝Is a readable unified whole

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 Techniques in summary writing

1. Paraphrasing

2. Grasping the central ideas

3. Ways of condensation

4. Finding the thesis statement and topic sentence and

making an outline

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 Techniques in summary writing
1. Paraphrasing

 To paraphrase means to completely and correctly express

other people’s ideas in one’s own words.

 Examples: Prevention is better than cure.

(It is better to prevent

something unpleasant from
happening than try to put it
right afterwards.)
Write the summary in
your own words.
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 The importance of paraphrasing

★It helps us understand the original better.

★It helps us grasp the central idea and the main points.

★It helps us write summaries that are brief and to the point,
and in our own words.

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 Steps of paraphrasing
★Read the original carefully and comprehend its meaning
wholly and correctly.

★Consider the original article as a whole, not in isolated

sentences.

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 Techniques in summary writing
2. Grasping the central ideas

➝Reread the passage, jotting down the keywords, ideas and

information

➝State the main point in your own words. . .

➝Be objective: Don't mix your reactions with the summary.

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 Techniques in summary writing
3. Ways of condensation
 Use synonyms or synonymous phrases
For example:
He had a good command of English.
(He knew English well.)

 Change the structure of simple sentences

For example:
My brother has an appreciation of modern art.
(My brother appreciates modern art.)

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 Techniques in summary writing
3. Ways of condensation

 Turn complex sentences into simple sentences

For example:
He received a welcome that was as cold as ice.
(He received an icy welcome.)

 Combine the sentences

For example:
Hurry up. If you don’t, you’ll miss the train.
(Hurry up or you’ll miss the train.)

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Techniques in summary writing
4. Finding . . . . . . .
i. Thesis Statement:
• It is a road map for the rest of the text; in other words, it tells the
reader what to expect.

• It presents the main/ central ideas of the text

• Thesis Statement is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first

paragraph that presents argument to the reader.

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Techniques in summary writing
4. Finding . . . . . . .
ii. Topic Sentence:
 It is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea the
paragraph is going to deal with.
 Paragraphs do not always have clear-cut topic sentences
 Topic sentences can occur anywhere in the paragraph (as the first
sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle).

iii. Outline

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Steps in writing a summary

 Read the article: To understand the article and find the

general theme.

Reread the article: Divide into sections and label each

section. Understand the important parts.

Write one-sentence summaries: Summarize each section of

thought. (Topic Sentences)

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 Steps in writing a summary

iv. Formulate the thesis statement: Weave the one-sentence

section-summaries together.
v. Write the first draft:
A. In the first sentence or two: The author’s name, The
article’s or chapter’s name/ The author’s thesis
statement
B. Then the summary sentences for each paragraph or
section.
C. Express in your own words, to avoid plagiarism.

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 Steps in writing a summary

C. Occasional supporting ideas if necessary.

Note:
1. Eliminate unnecessary words and repetitions.
2. Eliminate personal ideas and inferences.
3. Use transitions for a smooth and logical flow of ideas.
4. Conclude with a ‘summing up’ sentence.

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 Steps in writing a summary

vi. Edit the draft

•Is all the important information in the summary? Key points
covered???
•Am I listing things out?
•Am I saying the same thing over and over again?
Repetition???
•Have I left out my personal views and ideas? Subjective???

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 Steps in writing a summary

•Does my summary ‘hang together’? Cohesion???

•Is my grammar, punctuation, and spelling correct?

vii. Write the final draft

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That’s all . . . . . . .
Thank You