Summary Writing Notes

Introduction to Summary Writing

  • A summary, also known as an abstract, precis, or synopsis, is a shortened version of a text that highlights its key points.
  • The word "summary" comes from the Latin word "sum" (Nordquist, 2009).
  • A summary is a shortened collection of the main points from a text described in the writer's own words.
  • Key characteristics of a summary:
    • Shorter than the original text.
    • Using your own words.
    • Focusing on Main points only.
  • Summarizing is a valuable skill for assimilating and disbursing information efficiently, for personal use or research.
  • Examples of using summaries:
    • Describing a book's plot and characters for a book club discussion by focusing on the important details.
    • Revising for an examination by relying on a short paragraph detailing the most important points.
  • Factors to consider when writing a summary (Shaw, 2021):
    1. Which details are unnecessary?
    2. How to put the information in your own words without changing the meaning?
    3. How close can you get to the original without plagiarizing?
    4. How long should the summary be?
  • The answers to these questions depend on the type of summary and its purpose.
    • Summaries in academic settings differ from professional summaries, which both differ from summarizing a funny story for friends.

Basic Steps in Summarising

  • Summarizing is often the next step after note-taking when integrating material from different sources into your writing.
  • Paraphrasing is an important tool to use when writing a summary.
  • Paraphrasing is a powerful tool for critical thinking and writing, requiring the writer to present the original text in their own words.
  • Both paraphrasing and summarizing are useful techniques in doing research, citing sources, and writing academic papers.
  • Situations where students might have to summarize an article or other source (McCombes, 2020):
    1. As a stand-alone assignment to show understanding of the material.
    2. To keep notes that will help you remember what you have read.
    3. To give an overview of other researchers' work in a literature review.
  • Understanding the differences between paraphrasing, summarizing, and quoting can help you write more effective summaries (Hillier, 2023):
    • Paraphrasing: Putting information from a source into your own words; the source must be acknowledged through citations and referencing.
    • Quoting: Using a brief segment of a source, word for word, in your essay or report. The information is enclosed in inverted commas, and the source must be acknowledged through citations and referencing.
    • Summarizing: Putting the main idea(s) from a source into your own words, including only the main point(s). The source must be acknowledged through citations and referencing.
  • Broad steps to follow while writing a summary:
    1. Read the text carefully and make sure you understand the question.
    2. Underline keywords in the question.
    3. Locate information in the text.
    4. Decide what information is important and how it is connected.
    5. Leave out any unnecessary words or information.
    6. Consider all possible answers and make your own decision (Goodfangsm, n.d.).
  • Key aspects of a good summary:
    1. Only the main points have been included.
    2. There is an introductory sentence, and the summary follows a logical sequence.
    3. The text is shortened without losing the essence of the material, i.e., wordiness has been eliminated, and the summary is coherent.
    4. The summary writer's words are used, i.e., the text has been paraphrased.
    5. An in-text citation is provided. A full reference list should be included at the end of your work (LibGuides, 2016).

Features of a Good Summary

  • Newspaper headlines and book summaries are effective examples of summaries.
  • Features of a good summary (SIM module book, 2019):
    • Includes only the main points and omits unnecessary details.
    • Eliminates wordiness and is concise and clear.
    • Contains no personal opinions and retains the meaning of the original text.
    • Uses transitional words and phrases to connect the ideas.
  • What a summary should not have to ensure it is effective:
    1. Minute details and descriptive language; avoid adding adjectives.
    2. Additional information that's not a part of the original text.
    3. Your opinion or assumptions.
    4. The exact language and quotations from the passage.
    5. List of ideas and questions.
    6. Abbreviations.

Eliminating Wordiness

  • A summary should be clear, concise, and crisp, so attention should be paid to the words used to write it.
  • Unnecessary words should be removed for a sentence to flow well and be coherent.

Summary Steps

  • Writing an effective summary takes practice.
  • Tips to remember when reading a text to summarise (Katie, 2022):
    1. Read the passage carefully to understand its meaning clearly.
    2. Read again and underline the main points of the passage.
    3. Write down the main facts in logical order.
    4. Do not introduce any new ideas or comments in the summary.
    5. The summary length depends on the requirements, instructions provided, and type of content.