Summary Writing.pptVIP

Summary Writing Objectives Give an appropriate definition for a summary Know the characteristics of a good summary Learn the techniques in summary writing Learn the steps in summary writing Practice I. 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. Note: you simply report back what the writer has said, without making value judgments. II. 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 III. Techniques in summary writing Paraphrasing To paraphrase means to completely and correctly express other people’s ideas in one’s own words. Examples: 1. You’ve cooked us all a hot potato. (a troublesome person or issue) 2. Prevention is better than cure. (It is better to prevent something unpleasant from happening than try to put it right afterwards.) ★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. ★Read the original carefully and comprehend its meaning wholly and correctly. ★Consider the original article as a whole, not in isolated sentences. III. Techniques in summary writing Grasping the central ideas III. Techniques in summary writing 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