Summarizing Skills and Techniques

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the definition of summarizing, critical strategies, research abstract structures, citation formats, and the use of reporting verbs.

Summary

A form of writing also known as an abstract or precis (pray-see) that simplifies, condenses, or shortens a long composition into its most important ideas using the writer's own words.

Barrot and Sipacio (2017)

The authors who argue that summarizing is a critical reading skill that helps deepen understanding, identify relevant information, and capture key ideas clearly.

Finding the main idea

A strategy in summarizing that involves identifying the central idea that connects all different parts of a coherent text.

Separating General Ideas from Details/Examples

A technique used to ensure the reader does not confuse the overall meaning with specific examples that might lead to misunderstanding the text.

Identifying Key Words

A strategy used when reading English texts to handle unfamiliar words and clarify information required for a summary.

Research Abstract

A summary that usually contains 150 to 300 words, does not use citations or specific result statistics, and is the last part of a paper to be written.

Rationale

The portion of a research abstract structure that typically accounts for around 20% of the content.

Research problems

The portion of a research abstract structure that typically accounts for around 10% of the content.

Methodology

The portion of a research abstract structure that typically accounts for around 20% of the content.

Major findings

The largest portion of a research abstract structure, typically accounting for around 40% of the content.

Conclusion and Implications

The final portion of a research abstract structure, typically accounting for around 10% of the content.

Idea Heading Format

A format in summarizing where the summarized idea is presented before the citation (e.g., Fols, 2004; Ammons, 2001).

Author Heading Format

A format where the author's name/s are connected by a reporting verb and the summarized idea follows, such as in the studies of Kabilan, Ahmad and Abidin (2010).

Date Heading Format

A format where the summarized idea comes after the date when the material was published, such as 'In their 2004 study… Irvin and Stansbury argue.'

Reporting Verb

A word used to discuss another person's writings or assertions to incorporate a source into the discussion.

Past Tense (Reporting Verbs)

The verb tense used in a summary if the writer thinks the idea is outdated and wants to negate it.

Present Tense (Reporting Verbs)

The verb tense used in a summary to indicate that the writer views the idea as relevant or agreeable.

Noam Chomsky (1957)

The linguist who demonstrated that a sentence can be syntactically correct but not make sense with the example: 'Colorless green ideas sleep furiously.'