Summarising

Summarising

A shortened version of the original

Contains essential points only

Three main components:

• Equal coverage of all parts of the original text
• Does not contain your opinion or perspective
• Written in your own words
Steps in writing a summary

1. Skim the text to

2. Read in detail and 3. Write main points
determine
note main facts and in your own words
important
ideas. (draft 1)
information.
Steps in writing a summary

4. Add any important

5. Redraft summary, adding
material relating to
or deleting if necessary.
points
Language for summarising

Retain technical/discipline-specific vocabulary

Use synonyms to replace words
Combine ideas into one sentence using linking words such as relative
pronouns i.e. that, which, who, whose, where and conjunctions i.e. for,
and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
Exclude details and extra information
Use brief, concise language