How to write a summaryHow to write a summaryEnglish 124English 124

Read, Re-Read, Re-Re-Read!Read, Re-Read, Re-Re-Read!

Spend Spend at least half an hour at least half an hour reading reading and re-readingand re-reading before before writing the summary. writing the summary.

……and then read again.and then read again.

Make sure you Make sure you understand understand the the article before you start writing. That article before you start writing. That doesn’t mean you know all the words doesn’t mean you know all the words - just the ideas.- just the ideas.

Don’t Look…!Don’t Look…!

Don't lookDon't look at the article while you at the article while you are writing the summary. Put it away. are writing the summary. Put it away. Write from your head.Write from your head.

……except to check!except to check!

When you start writing, you can look at When you start writing, you can look at the article to the article to check facts or check facts or namesnames

No Names, QuotationsNo Names, Quotations

But unless they are very important, But unless they are very important, don’t use don’t use names names or or quotationsquotations

Learn New Words…Learn New Words…

Know the meaningsKnow the meanings of some of of some of the new wordsthe new words

……but don’t use thembut don’t use them

Don't use new words Don't use new words in the in the summarysummary

Use simple EnglishUse simple English

Use English your Use English your 16-year old 16-year old brother or sisterbrother or sister could could understand. Don’t be fancy.understand. Don’t be fancy.

Change the OrderChange the Order

You don’t have to follow the You don’t have to follow the order order of of the article. Change it if you like. the article. Change it if you like.

KeywordsKeywords

Write headings or Write headings or keywordskeywords for each for each paragraph. paragraph.

Use ParagraphsUse Paragraphs

Use Use paragraphsparagraphs, even in a short , even in a short summary. Group your summary. Group your keywordskeywords together to make new paragraphs.together to make new paragraphs.

Don’t write one sentence for every Don’t write one sentence for every paragraph in the article. It won’t paragraph in the article. It won’t work.work.

SynonymsSynonyms

Have Have synonymssynonyms for the words you for the words you will use mostwill use most– employee, worker, candidate, employee, worker, candidate,

applicant, job-seeker, applicant, job-seeker, potential employee, intervieweepotential employee, interviewee