WRITING A SUMMARY

A summary is a short and concise representation of the main points, ideas, concepts, facts or statements of a text written IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

The new (target) text is:• much shorter than the original (source) text• does not alter the author's original idea(s) or the

degree of certainty with which the ideas are expressed

• includes a reference to the original source of the words

5 Steps1. read2. get close3. select & eliminate4. write5. refer back

Source text

• Note text references – authour / date / place of publication

• Look for main thesis / secondary ideas• Look for supporting arguments of thesis• Look for illustrations and examples• Eliminate surplus data / comment

Target text

• Maintain author’s position • Make a CLEAR thesis statement• Organise your text into a sequence of

related points• Reformulate language – reporting verbs /

use of passive • Use appropriately academic style –

lexically dense

• Complexity• Formality• Objectivity• Explicitness• Hedging• Responsibility

Always bear in mindthe 6

Characteristics of Academic

Writing

(1) The text on page 20 of Skillful Reading and Writing Student’s Book 4, published by MACMILLIAN, describes a report which provides information for a city, bidding to host The Olympic Games.

(2) In its writing, the cited report draws on a wide range of sources, outlines both positive and negtative effects of holding the Games through illustration of two case studies and ends by making recommendations.

(3) The discussion opens with a detailed account of the necessary financial considerations, citing fonts of both possible income and potential costs.

(4) The text goes on to state that a contending city, and futhermore a country as a whole, will not only benefit from considerable prestige as a result of hosting the Games, but will also perceive an increase in the investment in the country’s infrastructure, development in international trade and a significant rise in levels of tourism.

Final check of target text

• Maintain author’s position • Make a CLEAR thesis statement• Organise your text into a sequence of

related points• Reformulate language – reporting verbs /

use of passive • Use appropriately academic style –

lexically dense

The text on page 20 of Skillful Reading and Writing Student’s Book 4, published by MACMILLIAN, describes a report which provides information for a city, bidding to host The Olympic Games. In its writing, the cited report draws on a wide range of sources, outlines both positive and negtative effects of holding the Games through illustration of two case studies and ends by making recommendations. The discussion opens with a detailed account of the necessary financial considerations, citing fonts of both possible income and potential costs. The text goes on to state that a contending city, and futhermore a country as a whole, will not only benefit from considerable prestige as a result of hosting the Games, but will also perceive an increase in the investment in the country’s infrastructure, development in international trade and a significant rise in levels of tourism.

Core considerations

• Length : word count = 142 words• Reporting verbs• Paraphrasing• Academic language• Reformulation