Basic Rules of a Summary

Basic Rules of a Summary

- Try to stick to what the text says;
do not go for interpretation or meaning.
- Try to avoid any personal or other comment.
- Include important facts, aspects, events only.
- Exclude everything unimportant­,
meaning all expandable details.
- Try to compress – cut down vocabulary of the text
- Use your own words!!!!
- Do not include direct speech and text quotations.
- A summary is preferably written in present tense
(simple form)


Useful vocabulary (Structural words):

first – in the beginning – right from the start
the author goes on with - … then - afterwards
moreover – second – third - …but –
on the contrary – although –
on the one hand/ on the other hand –
finally – in the end – at last – as a conclusion

the text/ article/ writer
speaks about
claims
says
states
mentions
points out
informs the reader about