Summary WritingSummary Writing

Objectives

1. Definition of a summary2. The characteristics of a good

summary3. Techniques in summary writing4. Steps in summary writing5. 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.

概要概要 (summary)(summary) 是一种是一种对原始文献或文章的对原始文献或文章的基木内容进行浓缩的基木内容进行浓缩的语义连贯的短文。它语义连贯的短文。它以迅速掌握原文内容以迅速掌握原文内容梗概为目的，不加主梗概为目的，不加主观评论和解释，但必观评论和解释，但必须简明、确切地表述须简明、确切地表述原文的重要内容原文的重要内容

概要写作是一种概要写作是一种控控制性的作文形式制性的作文形式，，它能使学生通过阅它能使学生通过阅读原文，吸收原文读原文，吸收原文的文章结构与语言的文章结构与语言方而的长处，写出方而的长处，写出内容一致、结构近内容一致、结构近似、语言简洁的短似、语言简洁的短文。文。

阅读能力：准确理阅读能力：准确理解原文解原文

综合概括能力综合概括能力 书面表达能力书面表达能力 欣赏（鉴赏）能力欣赏（鉴赏）能力

学生要做课堂笔记学生要做课堂笔记 ;; 研究人员积累研究研究人员积累研究

资料时要做读书笔资料时要做读书笔记记 ;;

新闻工作者也须具新闻工作者也须具备新闻事件的概括备新闻事件的概括能力能力

商界人士和政府机商界人士和政府机构工作人员也免不构工作人员也免不了汇报工作、写工了汇报工作、写工作总结和会议记录作总结和会议记录等等

InformativeInformative Descriptive Descriptive

When people declare themselves independent of When people declare themselves independent of their political ties, they should give reasons, their political ties, they should give reasons, Governments are formed to protect equality and Governments are formed to protect equality and rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If government does not do this, people happiness. If government does not do this, people can change the government.can change the government.

Jefferson opens the Declaration of Independence Jefferson opens the Declaration of Independence by stating that a country declaring dependence by stating that a country declaring dependence needs to give reasons. He goes on to discuss the needs to give reasons. He goes on to discuss the purposes of government in protecting individual purposes of government in protecting individual rights and the legitimacy of change if government rights and the legitimacy of change if government does not live up to its obligations.does not live up to its obligations.

不管是对文章进行不管是对文章进行分析、评价还是讨分析、评价还是讨论论 ,, 概要性写作的概要性写作的客观性原则不变。客观性原则不变。

描述型概要比较适用描述型概要比较适用于以评论、评价为目于以评论、评价为目的的文章的的文章 ,, 所以它一般所以它一般用于书评、分析性论用于书评、分析性论文和其他对内容进行文和其他对内容进行讨论的文章。对只提讨论的文章。对只提供或报告事实内容的供或报告事实内容的科研材料进行总结科研材料进行总结 ,, 也也要选择描述型概要。要选择描述型概要。

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

1. 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.

（预防胜于治疗。） (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.

The importance of paraphrasing

★Read the original carefully and comprehend its meaning wholly and correctly.

★Consider the original article as a whole, not in isolated sentences.

Steps of paraphrasing

1. First, try to find the main idea in the reading; it’s usually in the first paragraph. Next, skim through the article, glancing at any headings and graphics. Then, read the conclusion. The intent here is both to give yourself a review of the work and t o effectively engage yourself with it.

III. Techniques in summary writing

2. Then go back and read the original text carefully, jotting down （草草记下） notes on or highlighting the important points.

Write the central idea and the author’s reasons (purpose and intent) for holding this viewpoint. Note the supporting elements the author uses to explain or back up her/his main information or claim.

3. Make an outline that includes the main idea and the supporting details. Arrange your information in a logical order, for example, most to least important or chronological. Your order need not be the same as that in the original, but keep related supporting points together. The way you organize the outline may serve as a model for how you divide and write the essay.

4. Write the summary, making sure to state the author’s name in the first sentence. Present the main idea, followed by the supporting points. The remainder of your summary should focus on how the author supports, defines, and/or illustrates that main idea. Remember, unless otherwise stated by your instructor, a summary should contain only the author’s views, so try to be as objective as possible. .

5. As you revise and edit your summary, compare it to the original and ask yourself questions such as: Have I rephrased the author’s words without changing their meaning? Have I restated the main idea and the supporting points accurately and in my own words?

6. If you are asked to write a critical summary or to include a critique, you may want to ask yourself questions such as:

Does the author succeed? How and why or why not?

What are the strengths, weaknesses? Why? What did the author do well? Not well? Why?

概要的题目要明确概要的题目要明确 ,, 一读就可以知道原作的一读就可以知道原作的主要内容或主题主要内容或主题 ,, 并且不应设任何障碍并且不应设任何障碍 ,,如如 :: 不出现不出现 55 个个 WW 问题问题 (When, What, (When, What, Where, Who, Why)Where, Who, Why) 和一个和一个 HH 问题问题 (How)(How) 。。题目的形式可写成句子题目的形式可写成句子 ,, 也可写成短语。试也可写成短语。试比较比较 ::

(1)The Newwhizz-kid((1)The Newwhizz-kid( 神童神童 )) (2)Asian Americans: shining stars in the US(2)Asian Americans: shining stars in the US

　　 (3)The aging: no cutting of the social security(3)The aging: no cutting of the social security

　　 (4)Defending the social security(4)Defending the social security 　　 (5)Greying armies March to defend the social (5)Greying armies March to defend the social

securitysecurity 　　

作为一篇文章的标题应该醒目作为一篇文章的标题应该醒目 ,, 吸引人吸引人 ,, 可可以设问以设问 ,(,( 如如 :Dose the US spy too much?):Dose the US spy too much?) 从从而激发读者去思考。但作为一篇概要的题而激发读者去思考。但作为一篇概要的题目须简明扼要目须简明扼要 ,, 明确主题明确主题 ,, 没有谜点。没有谜点。

题目题目 (1)The Newwhiz Kids((1)The Newwhiz Kids( 神童神童 )) 中并未清中并未清楚地告知楚地告知 :Who are the newwhiz kids? Where :Who are the newwhiz kids? Where does that happen?does that happen?

题目题目 (2)Asian Americans: shining stars in the (2)Asian Americans: shining stars in the USUS 则明确地讲述了美籍亚洲人是美国的耀则明确地讲述了美籍亚洲人是美国的耀眼明星。所以眼明星。所以 ,, 作为英文概要的题目以第作为英文概要的题目以第 22句话为宜。句话为宜。

题目题目 (3)The aging: no cutting of the social (3)The aging: no cutting of the social securitysecurity 虽不是句子虽不是句子 ,, 但讲出了全面的内容但讲出了全面的内容 ((老年人呼吁不可以削减社会福利老年人呼吁不可以削减社会福利 ),), 其中冒其中冒号使得题目简洁、达意。号使得题目简洁、达意。

题目题目 (4)Defending the social security(4)Defending the social security 没有说出没有说出who is defending the social security?who is defending the social security? 很显然很显然 ,,这是一个不全面的标题这是一个不全面的标题

(5)Greying armies March to defend the social (5)Greying armies March to defend the social securitysecurity 是一个完整的句子是一个完整的句子 ,, 交代了社会福利交代了社会福利的捍卫者的捍卫者 (( 灰白发的老年人灰白发的老年人 ),), 采取的方式采取的方式 ((游行游行 )) 以及游行的目的以及游行的目的 (( 维护社会福利保障维护社会福利保障制度制度 )) 。。

1. Use synonyms or synonymous phrases

He had a good command of English.

(He knew English well.)

2. Change the structure of simple sentences

My brother has an appreciation of modern art.

(My brother appreciates modern art.)

Ways of condensation

3. Turn complex sentences into simple sentences

He received a welcome that was as cold as ice.

(He received an icy welcome.)

4. Combine the sentences

Hurry up. If you don’t, you’ll miss the train.

(Hurry up or you’ll miss the train.)

删除直接引语的对话

写作过程中的几个问题写作过程中的几个问题 例子、数据的问题。例子、数据的问题。 概要中的例子数据不可多用概要中的例子数据不可多用 ,, 用一两个说明用一两个说明

问题即可。如问题即可。如 :: Lobbyists (Lobbyists ( 政治说客政治说客 ) are hired by co-) are hired by co-

operations, labor-unions, individuals, and special operations, labor-unions, individuals, and special interests.interests.

写成概要不妨这样写成概要不妨这样 :: Lobbyists are hired by special interests like co-Lobbyists are hired by special interests like co-

operationsoperations

写作过程中的几个问题写作过程中的几个问题 引语引语 (( 用用 )) 问题问题 写概要时尽量用自己的话写概要时尽量用自己的话 ,, 当然不排斥引用当然不排斥引用

。若引用得当。若引用得当 ,, 势必起到画龙点睛的作用。势必起到画龙点睛的作用。 引用不当就是画蛇添足。引用不当就是画蛇添足。 用不是抄袭用不是抄袭 ,, 而是为我所用。而是为我所用。 语言上要多加润色。注意词类、时态、语态语言上要多加润色。注意词类、时态、语态

等的适当调整。等的适当调整。

:“We shouldn’t be threatened, but challenged. :“We shouldn’t be threatened, but challenged. Their presence is going to be a great blessing Their presence is going to be a great blessing for society.” said Mathematician Cappell, part for society.” said Mathematician Cappell, part of a Jewish immigrant success story.of a Jewish immigrant success story.

可否这样改写可否这样改写 :: According to a Jewish immigrant According to a Jewish immigrant

Mathematician, the presence of Asian Mathematician, the presence of Asian Americans is not a threat but a challenge, and Americans is not a threat but a challenge, and also a great blessing for society.also a great blessing for society.

Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai Lushan Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai Lushan Mountain, and Yellow Mountain, were visited Mountain, and Yellow Mountain, were visited by only a few people in the past. Today, better by only a few people in the past. Today, better wages, holidays with pay, new hotels on those wages, holidays with pay, new hotels on those mountains and better train and bus services, mountains and better train and bus services, have brought them within reach to many who have brought them within reach to many who never thought of visiting them ten years ago.never thought of visiting them ten years ago.

53words53words

Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai, onceBeautiful mountains like Mount Tai, once visited by only a few people, are today visited by only a few people, are today

accessible to many, thanks to better wages, accessible to many, thanks to better wages, paid holidays, new hotels and better paid holidays, new hotels and better communication.communication.

27 words27 words

Write a summary on how to manage your finances  When you're away from home, your parents expect you to be

responsible for yourself and this includes taking care of your own finances. To manage your money sensibly, you need a plan to work with. Write down your allowance and expenses for the month. What you are doing is actually budgeting your income. Make sure that you set aside a small amount for your savings. One way of cutting cost is eating in. It is cheaper than eating out. Moreover, by cooking your own meals, you have greater control over what you eat. Besides that, if you know of friends who live in the same area as you, you might want to consider driving to college together. This saves on petrol and parking. In addition, when you shop for household items, compare prices from one shop to another before making your purchase. If you can, wait for sales when you can get better discounts. However, sales where prices are marked down incredibly can sometimes tempt you to buy things which you don't really need. Therefore, be careful and don't give in to temptation.

what you eat. Besides that, if you know of friends who live in the same area as you, you might want to consider driving to college together. This saves on petrol and parking. In addition, when you shop for household items, compare prices from one shop to another before making your purchase. If you can, wait for sales when you can get better discounts. However, sales where prices are marked down incredibly can sometimes tempt you to buy things which you don't really need. Therefore, be careful and don't give in to temptation.

Your summary must :  * not be more than 60 words, including the 10

words given below ： To manage your money sensibly, you must first start

with ...

Answer： To manage your money sensibly, you must first start with a plan. Write out your budget and put aside a set amount for savings. You can save money by eating in and carpooling. Besides that, before buying household items, compare prices first. If possible, wait for sales but do not be tempted to buy what you do not need. ( 59 words )

Write a summary on how we can attract more tourists to our country

 One of the many sources of revenue for the country is tourism. Malaysia has lots to offer the world. We have beautiful beaches, lush jungles, cool mountain retreats and modern cities. However, to further capitalize on tourism, there are a few areas that must be looked into. Firstly, we must expose people from foreign countries to what we can offer. We can do this by holding exhibitions overseas. Organizers of such exhibitions can offer a glimpse into what we have in our country. They can offer attractive four packages that would definitely lure tourists here. The mass media too can play an important role. The Internet, television and the newspaper offer an alternative mode of advertising the country to the world. Besides that, newspapers and television can be used to show the world the wonders found in our country.

On the homeground, multiethnic cultural shows can be presented to woo foreign tourists to the country. People who come from other countries would definitely like to see the different cultural and traditional practices here. However, what is most important is to make sure that the facilities in our country, like public transport and accommodation, are of a reasonable and respectable standard. this is to ensure a pleasant and memorable stay for our visitors. 

Your summary must : * not be more than 60 words, including the 10 words given below:There are many ways of attracting tourists to our country .....

Answer： There are many ways of attracting tourists to our country. For one, we can organize exhibitions abroad. Through these fairs, we can offer attractive tour packages. Besides that, the mass media plays an important role in promoting Malaysia's holiday destinations. In Malaysia itself, we can hold cultural shows. Most importantly, we must ensure that our facilities are up to standard. ( 60 words )

1f we were to wander into a classroom where pupils are 1f we were to wander into a classroom where pupils are learning: foreign language and if we listened to them speaking learning: foreign language and if we listened to them speaking that language or observed their attempts to write it. We that language or observed their attempts to write it. We should notice before long that same mistakes of pronunciation, should notice before long that same mistakes of pronunciation, spelling, grammar and vocabulary tended to recur in the spelling, grammar and vocabulary tended to recur in the language of different individuals in time, too, We should language of different individuals in time, too, We should probably be able to identify the mother tongue of the pupils probably be able to identify the mother tongue of the pupils even if not a word of it had been spoken in the classroom. We even if not a word of it had been spoken in the classroom. We should be able to do this solely on the basis of the should be able to do this solely on the basis of the recurring mistakes that we had noticed.0ur ability to recurring mistakes that we had noticed.0ur ability to recognize the provenance of somebody who speaks out recognize the provenance of somebody who speaks out language with an accent, for example, is used by entertainers the language with an accent, for example, is used by entertainers the world over. Comedians can be sure of raising an easy laugh world over. Comedians can be sure of raising an easy laugh with: portrayal of the German speaking French of the American with: portrayal of the German speaking French of the American speaking Spanish.speaking Spanish.

上文中的关键词上文中的关键词 Pupils; a foreign language; speak; observe; Pupils; a foreign language; speak; observe;

same mistakes of Pronunciation, same mistakes of Pronunciation, spellingspelling ，， grammar and vocabulary; grammar and vocabulary; recognize; provenancerecognize; provenance

This article states that the pupilsThis article states that the pupils ，， mother mother tongue can be identified by observing the tongue can be identified by observing the same mistakes of Pronunciation; Spelling, same mistakes of Pronunciation; Spelling, grammar and vocabulary they make. When grammar and vocabulary they make. When they speak: foreign language, people can also they speak: foreign language, people can also recognize the bright place of somebody who recognize the bright place of somebody who speaks the language with: noticeable accent.speaks the language with: noticeable accent.

Total US SpendingTotal US Spending

spending levels at a furious pacespending levels at a furious pace

Note that the informative summary does not Note that the informative summary does not mention the author or title of the piece but mention the author or title of the piece but rather gets right down to the content.  Thus it rather gets right down to the content.  Thus it can present more information more compactly can present more information more compactly and more precisely. and more precisely. 

To convey the content of a source, To convey the content of a source, informative summaries are preferable to informative summaries are preferable to descriptive summariesdescriptive summaries..   

In addition, when research material is simply In addition, when research material is simply reported for its factual content, as in a reported for its factual content, as in a synthesis paper, the informative summary is synthesis paper, the informative summary is used.used.

When people declare themselves independent When people declare themselves independent of their political ties, they should give reasons. of their political ties, they should give reasons. Governments are formed to protect equality Governments are formed to protect equality and rights, including life, liberty, and the and rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If government does not pursuit of happiness. If government does not do this, people can change the government. do this, people can change the government.

On the other hand, descriptive summaries give On the other hand, descriptive summaries give a more nearly complete picture of the structure a more nearly complete picture of the structure of the original. of the original. 

They also establish a certain distance between They also establish a certain distance between the writer of the summary and the writer of the the writer of the summary and the writer of the original piece.  This sense of objectivity is original piece.  This sense of objectivity is useful whenever the summarized material is to useful whenever the summarized material is to be analyzed, evaluated, or otherwise be analyzed, evaluated, or otherwise discussed. discussed. 

For critical or evaluative purposes, For critical or evaluative purposes, descriptive summaries are preferabledescriptive summaries are preferable ..   

Hence descriptive summaries should be used Hence descriptive summaries should be used in book reviews, in essays of analysis, and in in book reviews, in essays of analysis, and in other essays other essays

Jefferson opens the Declaration of Jefferson opens the Declaration of Independence by stating that a country Independence by stating that a country declaring independence needs to give its declaring independence needs to give its reasons. He goes on to discuss the purposes of reasons. He goes on to discuss the purposes of government in protecting individual rights and government in protecting individual rights and the legitimacy of change if government does the legitimacy of change if government does not live up to its obligations. not live up to its obligations.

POORLY WRITTEN POORLY WRITTEN SUMMARYSUMMARY

WHY?WHY?

Well-Written SummaryWell-Written Summary

The TV GuideThe TV Guide

A Summary is like…A Summary is like…

Meals with no appetizers, desserts or condimentsMeals with no appetizers, desserts or condiments

A Summary is like…A Summary is like…

A quick phone call when your phone is almost A quick phone call when your phone is almost out of batteriesout of batteries

AA SummarSummary isy is like… like…