SUMMARY WRITING
Objectives
1. Give an appropriate definition for a
summary
2. Know the characteristics of a good
summary
3. Learn the techniques in summary
writing
4. Learn the steps in summary writing
5. Practice
What is 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
Note: you simply report back what
the writer has said, without making
value judgements.
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
Techniques in summary writing
1. Paraphrasing
To paraphrase means to
completely and correctly express
other peoples’s ideas in one’s own
words
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
Steps of paraphrasing
Read the original carefully and
comprehend its meaning wholly
and correctly
Consider the original articles as a
whole, not in isolated sentences
Techniques in summary writing
2. Grasping the central ideas
3. Ways of condensation
Use synonyms or synonymous phrases
He had a good command of English
(He knew English well)
Change the structure of simple sentences
My brother has an appreciation of modern
art
(my brother appreciates modern art)
Turn complex sentences into simple
sentences
He received a welcome that was as
cold as ice
(He received an icy welcome)
Combine the sentences
Hurry up. If you don’t, you’ll miss the
train
(Hurry up or you’ll miss the train)
How to write a summary?
1. The importance of summary writing
2. Necessary elements for a good
summary
Proper citation
Title, author, source, date of
publication (journal articles)
Supporting ideas
Major supporting ideas
Relationships among these ideas
No specifics
The author’s purpose in writing
No personal opinions, ideas, and
inferences
Steps in writing a
summary
1. Read the article
To understand the article and find
the general theme
2. Reread the article
Divide into sections and label each
section
3. Write one-sentence summary
Summarize a sentence for each
paragraph or section
Express in your own words, to avoid
plagiarism
Note:
1. Eliminate unnecessary words and
repetitions
2. Eliminate personal ideas
3. Use transitions for a smooth and
logical flow of ideas
4. Conclude with a summing up
sentences
Edit the draft
is all the important information
in the summary?
Am I listing things out?
Am I saying the same thing over and
over again?
Have I left out my personal views
and ideas?
Does my summary ’hang together’?
Is my grammar, punctuation and
spelling correct?
Make a summary of related journal
max 300 words
Summary contains: introduction,
research questions, matherial and
method (if necessary), main finding
and conclusion
Write in one paragrah
Submit the summary with the journal
Distribute the summary to all group
without real journal
