Welcome to the Art of Summarising!
Have you ever watched a long movie and then told your friend the whole story in just two minutes? If so, you already know how to summarise! In your English Writing studies, summarising the main points is a vital skill. It’s about taking a large amount of information and shrinking it down to its most important parts without losing the original meaning.
In this chapter, we will learn how to identify the "heart" of a text and express it clearly in your own words. Whether you are working on English Communication or Logic and Expression, these skills will help you communicate more effectively.
1. What Exactly is a Summary?
In the official syllabus, we focus on two key terms:
• Gist (概要 - Gaiyō): The "big picture" or general idea of the text.
• Main Points (要点 - Yōten): The specific, essential pieces of information that support the main idea.
A simple analogy: Imagine a tree. The Gist is the whole tree (it’s an oak tree!). The Main Points are the trunk and the big branches. The Details are the leaves and the birds sitting on them. When we summarise, we keep the tree and the branches, but we shake off most of the leaves!
Key Takeaway: A summary is a shortened version of a text that includes the main ideas but leaves out minor details and examples.
2. The Step-by-Step Process
Don't worry if this seems tricky at first! You can follow these four simple steps to create a great summary:
Step 1: Understand the Goal
Before you write, ask yourself: "Why am I writing this summary?" Are you explaining a news article to a friend, or are you summarizing a scientific discovery? Knowing the purpose and the situation helps you decide which points are the most important.
Step 2: Identify the Main Points
As you read or listen to the material, look for:
• The Topic Sentence: Often found at the beginning of a paragraph.
• Repeated Words: If a word or idea appears many times, it’s probably important!
• Conclusion Words: Look for words like "Therefore," "In conclusion," or "The main point is..."
Step 3: Condense and Select
This is where you decide what to keep. If a sentence is just an example (like a specific story about one person) or a list of numbers, you can usually leave it out. Focus on the reasoning and the results.
Step 4: Rewrite in Your Own Words
The syllabus encourages us to use our own "diverse words and sentences." Instead of just copying sentences from the text, try to explain them as if you were talking to a classmate. This shows you truly understand the material.
Key Takeaway: Read carefully, pick the "big" ideas, and use your own English to put them together.
3. Organizing Your Writing
A good summary isn't just a list of random facts; it needs to be logical. Depending on your level, your summary might look different:
• For English Communication I: You will usually write a single paragraph. Focus on a clear opening sentence that states the main topic.
• For English Communication II & III: You may need to write multiple paragraphs. You should show how different ideas in the text connect to each other.
• For Logic & Expression: Focus on the structure. Use logical connectors to show how the "reason" leads to the "conclusion."
Useful Connectors for Logic:
• To add information: Furthermore, In addition
• To show contrast: However, On the other hand
• To show results: Therefore, As a result, Consequently
4. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even advanced students sometimes fall into these traps. Keep an eye out for them!
• Adding your own opinion: A summary is about what the original writer said, not what you think. Save your opinions for the "Writing an Opinion" chapter!
• Too many details: If your summary is almost as long as the original text, it’s not a summary! Try to cut it down by half or more.
• Copying (Plagiarism): Using three or more words in a row exactly as they appear in the text is often too much. Try to change the verb or the structure of the sentence.
• Changing the meaning: Be careful! When you make a sentence shorter, make sure it still says the same thing as the original.
Did you know? Summarising is a "language function" that helps you in the real world. Whether you're reporting a problem at work or explaining a recipe, being brief and clear is a sign of great communication skills.
5. Quick Review
Checklist for a Great Summary:
1. Does it start with the main idea (gist)?
2. Does it include the essential points?
3. Does it leave out small details and examples?
4. Is it written in your own words?
5. Is the logic easy to follow?
Note: If you are asked to write a summary based specifically on something you heard or read in a longer format, please refer to the chapter "Writing based on what was heard or read" for more specific tips on integration.
Final Encouragement: Summarising can be challenging because it requires both reading/listening and writing skills. Don't worry if you find it hard to choose which points to keep. With practice, you will start to see the "skeleton" of every story and article you read!