SUMMARY WRITING – some advice:
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Process
- Skim the piece quickly to get the main idea and then read it again, more slowly, to check the meaning – decide what is relevant and what is not for your summary. Underline the main points and cross out the redundant parts such as illustrations or phrases such as "In other words", "For example" etc.
- Select the key points together with the linking words such as "Thus", "However", "Similarly", "As a result", "Moreover", etc. – these mark the stages in an argument and will help you follow it.
- Make some notes
- Select some details or examples to highlight the key points
- Write your first draft and check it
- Write your final draft
Remember to:
- Write in your own words – do not copy anything from the text
- Only write the main points – do not add anything else unless you are asked to, e.g. other facts, your own opinion(s)
- Give your writing a clear structure – an introduction which states the main subject or topic; and gives the source of the text, e.g. " ... is an article in The Guardian newspaper of 1 October 2001"; clear paragraphs; a conclusion which summarises the main points.
- Make sure your writing reads smoothly and coherently – link the points together
- The average length of a standard summary is one third of the original
- A title – either use the original title or write your own title, as appropriate. Every piece of writing needs a title.
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