Summary Writing Skills

1. Why do you summarise a text?

• To understand a text.

• To condense ideas.

• All of the above.

What is the definition of a summary?

• A condensed version of text that defines your scope and focus.

• A condensed version of text that only includes the main ideas.

• A condensed version of text that gives insight on the development on a topic.

Below are the guidelines for summarizing EXCEPT …

• Should be written in your own words.

• Acknowledges the source of the text.

• Includes examples and opinions.

Which one of the following is NOT a part of a summary?

• Summary being shorter than the text.

• Exact words from the text.

• Including main ideas only.

When writing a summary, you should ask yourself: “Do you need this information to understand the text?”

• True

• False

• Not sure

Suggest other words you can use instead of “says” or “tells”

You need to make sure that the summary is no more than …

• 50% of the original text

• 20% of the original text

• Two-third of the original text

A good introductory sentence for a summary should include the following EXCEPT

• The title of the article or source.

• States the reader’s opinion.

• The general overview of the article.

When writing for an informational text, what is a good thing to consider?

• Solutions

• Conflicts

• Facts and figures

In academic writing, summaries are always used the first time when a writer introduces a source as a way to prove credibility.

• True

• False

• Not sure