March 23, 2007 21:31
Category: How To Write
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Just as a picture speaks many words, a summary too is a brief account of a bigger text such as a report, an article, a chapter or even a book. Reviewing a website or a movie also comes under the purview of summary-writing. Often it helps if the writer is conversant on the subject of summary, though it is not essential. In the article below, we've pieced together important steps on how to write summary.
We will begin by suggesting that you go through the content to be summarized thoroughly while not forgetting to mark/underline points which you feel important. The first reading is usually more generous, trying as you are to catch an overall view of the subject.
A second or third reading will be more scrupulous and will help you prepare the deck for jotting down your impressions. In case of books, the foreword and prologue give a fair idea to start with, while table of contents show how the author has prioritized and allocated content.
While thorough reading or viewing is a prerequisite before you launch your writing, a few points on how to write summary are worth pondering:
- We said you start by reading the content thoroughly. But before that how about getting a ringside view! For a book, it will be skimming through pictures, images, headlines, inferences, comments (on the back-cover) and suchlike. For a website, a good firsthand idea can be had from feedback/testimonials, press releases (if any), opening statement(s), images, graphics and so on.
- Once you've some idea about the content to be summarized, now is the time go back and read/re-read the original text carefully. Try to grasp the central theme which you may already have guessed. Give a reason or two as to why the author holds the view as evident in the central theme.
- When you're ready to give shape to your thoughts, start with an outline first. Include the main concept and supporting details. Proceed in a logical order, for example, first to last chapter in case of a book. It is not uncommon to jump from one sequence to another, but there must be compelling reasons for that in addition to expertise in narration. Whichever way you choose, remember to keep supporting points together. This way you'll organize the outline as a guide to elaborate your concept and write the essay succinctly.
- The stage is now set to write your summary. As you begin, make sure that author's name is mentioned in the first sentence itself. Proceed with your main idea, followed closely by supporting points. Unless asked otherwise, your summary should essentially focus on author's views, his illustration and narration of events. Be as objective as possible.
- The next step will be to edit and revise your summary while comparing with the original content. Pause awhile and ask yourself questions. Is your summary a true representation of author's views? Is the main idea of summary widely divergent from original narration? Are your words an accurate reflection of the main idea of mother text? If you are in two minds, think of taking opinion of a close friend, your spouse or a relative.
- If all has gone well, your summary is now ready for delivery. There may be occasions when you'll be asked to don the robe of a critic and prepare summary as seen through a third eye. In such cases, a cautious approach is called for. Your summary has to critically address several issues. Does the author succeed in his writing? If yes, how and why? If not, why not? What, according to you, are strengths and weaknesses of main text? What is author's overall performance? If satisfactory or exemplary, why so? If not, again why indeed so?
Instances are many where a summary speaks better than the main text. In which case readers may have no hurry to read the original text if the summary quenches his/her immediate hunger for information.
Blessed are they who have uncanny ability to dissect an original to present crisp, easy-to-follow summary. The trick perhaps lies in their ability to get a firm hold on main concept while not insisting on every factual detail.
The point to remember is that a summary doesn't take the place of original text, it only provides a window through which one gets a glimpse of the original.
If you are a first-timer, embarking on writing a summary, consider going through San Diego University's guide on 'how to write summary' guide (pdf file, needs Adobe Acrobat Reader). It is a good help.
