Reading and Note-Making 23 8 Summary Writing Making summaries is a common activity in everyday life.If a friend asks us about a book vo a do we make a summary of the ost inte principle applies to summarising in academic writing. 1.Choose four of the topics below andwrite summaries in no more than twelve words each Example: Birmingham isa large industrial city in the English West Midlands. a)Your home town b)）Bill Gates c)Your academic subject d)The last book you read e)A film you saw recently f)Your mother/father Look at the summaries you have written above.What are the features of a successful summary? 2.Summary writing is an important skill in academic work. Different kinds ofsummaries are needed in different situations. List as many study uses for summary writing as you can think of. making notes from lectures 3.In essay writing students often havetosummarise partofa book or iournalarticle. sed text,or it might be necessary to include much more detail.In other words,a summary can range from 1-2%of the original to more than 50%: summarising is a flexible tool. ctic narise successfully. becomes n Complete the list of stages in a successful summary. a)read the text carefully and check key vocabulary. b)Underline or highlight the. c)Makenotes ofthese,takingcare to d)Write the summary usingthe notes,re-organising the. e)Check the summary to make sure no. .have been omitted or distorted
Reading and Note-Making 23 1. Choose four of the topics below andwrite summaries inno more than twelve words each. Example: Birmingham is a large industrial city in the English West Midlands. a) Your home town b) Bill Gates c) Your academic subject d) The last book you read e) A film you saw recently f) Your mother/father Look at the summaries you have written above. What are the features of a successful summary? 2. Summary writing is an important skill in academic work. Different kinds of summaries are needed in different situations. List as many study uses for summary writing as you can think of. making notes from lectures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3. In essay writing students often have to summarise part of a book or journal article. The summary may be just one or two sentences, to explain the main idea of the article, and perhaps compare it with another summarised text, or it might be necessary to include much more detail. In other words, a summary can range from 1–2% of the original to more than 50%: summarising is a flexible tool. At first students need to follow a series of steps to summarise successfully. With practice the number of steps may be reduced, as the process becomes more automatic. Complete the list of stages in a successful summary. a) Read the text carefully and check key vocabulary. b) Underline or highlightthe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c) Makenotes of these,taking care to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d) Write the summary using the notes, re-organising the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . e) Check the summary to make sure no.have been omitted or distorted. 8. Summary Writing Making summaries is a common activity in everyday life. If a friend asks us about a book we are reading, we do not tell them about everything in the book. Instead, we make a summary of the most interesting and important aspects. The same principle applies to summarising in academic writing
24 Part 1:The Writing Process 4.Read the following text and compare the summaries.Decide which is best, giving reasons. Researchers in France and the United States have recently reportedthat baboons are ableto think abstractly.It has been known for some time that chimpanzeesare capable of abstract thought,but baboons are a more distant relation to mankind.In the experiment,scientists trained two baboons to use a personal computer and a joystick.The animals had to match computer designswhich were basicallythe same but had superficial differences.The baboons performed betterthan would be expected bychance.The researchersdescribe their studyinan article in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. a)French and American scientists haveshown that baboonshave theabilitytothink inan abstract way.The animals were taught touse a computer.and then had toselectsimila patterns,which they did at a rate better than chance. b)Baboons are akind of monkey more distant from man thanchimpanzees.Although it is known that chimpanzees are able to think abstractly,until recently it was notclear if baboons could do the same.But new research has shown that this isso c)Accordingtoarecent Psychology,baboons are able to think in an abstract way.The article describeshow researchers trained two baboonsto use apersonal computer andajoystick.The animalsdid betterthanwouk be expected. Icross reference 5.Read the following text and underline the key points 1.5Sdecting Key Points Indian researchers are trying to find out ifthere is any truth in old sayings which claim to predict the weather.nGujarat farmers have the choiceof plantingeither peanuts,which are more profitable in wet years,or castor,which does better in drierconditions.The difference depends on the timing of the monsoon rains.which can arrive at any time between the beginning and the middle of June.Farmers,however,havetodecide what seeds to sow in Apri or May. There isa local saying at least a thousand years old,which claims that the monsoon starts45 days after the flowering of a common tree,Cassia fistula.Dr Kanani,an agronomist from Guiarat Agricultural University.has been studving the relationship since 1996.and has found that the tree doessuccessfully predict theapproximate date of themonsoon'sarrival. 6.Complete the following notes of the key points. a)Indian scientists checking ancient. b)old sayinglinks monsoon to. c)Used by farmers to select peanuts(for wet)or. d)Dr Kanani of Gujarat Agricultural Universityhas found that
24 Part 1: The Writing Process 4. Read the following text andcompare the summaries.Decide which is best, giving reasons. Researchersin France and the UnitedStates have recently reportedthat baboons are able to think abstractly. It has been known for some time that chimpanzees are capable of abstract thought, but baboons are a more distant relation to mankind. In the experiment, scientists trained two baboons to use a personal computer and a joystick. The animals had to match computer designs which were basicallythe same buthad superficial differences. The baboons performedbetterthanwouldbe expectedbychance.The researchersdescribe theirstudyinan article in the Journal of Experimental Psychology. a) French and American scientists have shown thatbaboons have the abilitytothink inan abstract way. The animals were taught touse a computer, andthenhad toselectsimilar patterns, which they did at a rate better than chance. b) Baboons are a kind ofmonkey more distantfrom man thanchimpanzees.Although it is known that chimpanzees are able to think abstractly,untilrecently it was not clearif baboons could do the same. But new research has shown that this is so. c) According to a recent article inthe Journal of Experimental Psychology, baboons are able to think in an abstract way. The article describes how researchers trained two baboonsto use a personal computer anda joystick.The animals didbetterthanwould be expected. 5. Read the following text and underline the key points. Indian researchers are trying to find out if there is any truth in old sayings which claim to predict the weather.InGujarat farmers have the choice of planting either peanuts, which are more profitable in wet years, or castor,which does better in drier conditions. The difference depends on the timing of the monsoon rains, which can arrive at any time between the beginning and the middle ofJune. Farmers, however,have todecide what seedsto sow in April or May. There is a local saying, at least a thousand years old, which claimsthat the monsoon starts 45 days after the flowering of a common tree, Cassia fistula. Dr Kanani, an agronomist from Gujarat Agricultural University, has beenstudying the relationship since 1996, andhasfound that the tree doessuccessfully predict the approximate date ofthemonsoon’s arrival. 6. Complete the following notes of the key points. a) Indianscientists checking ancient. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b) Old saying links monsoon to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c) Used by farmers to select peanuts (forwet) or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . d) Dr Kanani of Gujarat Agricultural University has found that . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cross reference 1.5 Selecting Key Points
Reading and Note-Making 2s cross reference ake plete 3.5 Conjunctions here necessary. Indian scientistsarechecking. 8.The original text was about 150 words.The summary above is about50,so the original has been reduced by about 65%.However,it might be necessary to summarise still further.Using the same techniques,summarise the summary in about 20 words
Reading and Note-Making 25 7. Link the notes togethertomake acomplete summary usingconjunctions where necessary. Check the final text for factualaccuracy. 8. The originaltext was about 150 words.The summary above is about 50, so the original has been reduced by about 65%.However,it might be necessary to summarise still further. Using the same techniques, summarise the summary in about 20 words. Indian scientists are checking . cross reference 3.5 Conjunctions
26 Part 1:The Writing Process 9. Combining Sources Most essays require the writer to read more than one book or article.The differences between the ideas of different writers may be the focus of the essay. I his unit examines ways of presenting such contrasting views. 1.Read the example,from a study of women's experience ofprison. 2.9 kinmeSimilarly Hefferan197ment by developin by the creatio e al thtseghato shift that mple that th pera in t hasembodied characteriations of femaleprison ha a)How many writers are mentioned? b)What is the function of the words in italics? s used for an essay titled 'Should genetically n urces first,then the essay extract. SOURCEA Genetic modification(GM)is the most recentapplicationof biotechnology tofood,whichcan also be called geneticengineering orgenetic manipulation.The phrase'Genetically Modified Organisms'or GMOs isused frequentlyinthescientificliteraturetodescribe plants andanimals which have had DNAintroduced intothem bymeansotherthan the'natural'process of an egg and a sperm. aecvgagehounewrleenggmigiemngece even micro-organisms such as yogurt cultures and yeasts.They produced domesticated variants better suited tothe needs ofhumans,long before the scientific basis for the process was understood.Despite this long historyof carefulimprovement,such proceduresare now labelled interfering with nature'. SOURCE B orethan ameredevelopment ofselectivebreeding ombi enetic materia rom species that cannot bree a n It seems undeniable thatthese processesmay leadtomajor benefits infoodproductionand the environment.There is no doubt,for example,that some medical advances may have saved millions of lives.However,thislevel of technology can contain a strong element of risk animals intothe
26 Part 1: The Writing Process 1. Read the example, from a study of women’s experience ofprison. According to Giallombardo(1966),womenalleviatedthepains ofimprisonment bydeveloping kinshiplinkswithotherinmates. SimilarlyHeffernan(1972)found that adaptationtoprisonwas facilitated by the creation of a pseudo-family. Owen (1998) also notes that the female subculture isbasedonpersonalrelationshipswithotherwomeninmates.Others,however,believe that the subculture in women’s prisons is undergoing a gradual shift that more closely resembles that of male prisons. Fox (1982) states, for example, that the cooperative caring prison community that has embodied characterizations offemale prisons has evolvedintoa more dangerous and competitive climate. a) How many writers are mentioned? b) What is the function of the words in italics? c) What phrase is used to mark the point in the text where there is a shift from one point of view to another? 2. Below are two sources used for anessay titled‘Should genetically modified (GM) foods have a role in future agriculture?’ Read the sources first, then the essay extract. SOURCE A Genetic modification (GM) isthemost recent applicationof biotechnology tofood, whichcan also be called genetic engineering orgenetic manipulation. The phrase ‘Genetically Modified Organisms’ or GMOsis used frequentlyinthescientific literature todescribe plants andanimals which have had DNA introducedintothem bymeans otherthan the ‘natural’ process of an egg and a sperm. New species have always evolved through natural selection by means of random genetic variation. Early farmers used this natural variation to selectively breed wild animals, plants and even micro-organisms such as yogurt cultures and yeasts. They produced domesticated variants better suited tothe needs of humans, long before the scientific basisfor the process was understood. Despite thislong historyof careful improvement,such procedures are now labelled ‘interfering with nature’. SOURCE B Geneticmodification(GM)isinfactfarmore thanamere development ofselectivebreeding techniques. Combining genetic material from species that cannot breed naturally is an interference in areas which may be highly dangerous. The consequences of this kind of manipulation cannot be foreseen. It seems undeniable thatthese processes may leadtomajorbenefitsinfoodproductionand the environment. There is no doubt, for example, that some medical advances may have saved millions oflives. However, thislevel oftechnology can contain a strong element ofrisk. Our ignorance ofthe long-termeffects ofreleasing GM plants oreven animalsintothe environmen t means that this step should only be taken after very careful considerati on. 9. Combining Sources Most essays require the writer to read more than one book or article. The differences between the ideas of different writers may be the focus of the essay. This unit examines ways of presenting such contrasting views. cross reference 2.9 References and Quotations 3.16 Referring Verbs
Reading and Note-Making 27 ESSAY EXTRACT It has been claimedthat GMtechnology isnodifferent from breedingtechniques whichhave been practised by man for thousands of years.Source Astates that this process is similar to the other hand Source B considers that,although GM technology could bring considerable and agriculture,itis quite different to proceses of.He believes that crossing the species barrier is a dangerous step and that there isinsufficient knowledge of the long-term results of such developments. 3.The essay writer uses a mixture ofdirect quotes andsummaries of arguments. a)Find an example of each b)What phrase does the writer use to mark the point where he moves from dealing with Source A to Source B? c)List all the phrases used to introduce summaries. Ithas been claimed that. developing countries'.Read the sources and then complete the paragraph comparing their views. SOURCE C eou se yonso sallllbej apinoud o1 ulsaqsauun ated for cle gardenerndomy.Such o and dris Such wor provide an attractive altemative to subsistence agriculture or fishing while at the same time the tax revenuesfrom their earnings increase the national income
Reading and Note-Making 27 ESSAY EXTRACT It has been claimedthat GM technology is nodifferentfrom breedingtechniques whichhave been practised by man for thousands of years. Source A statesthat this processissimilar to natural selection and remarks: ‘such procedure s are now labelled “interfering with nature”’. On the other hand Source B considers that, although GM technology could bring considerable benefits in medicine and agriculture, it is quite different to traditional processe s of selection. He believes that crossing the species barrier is a dangerous step and that there is insufficient knowledge of the long-term results of such developments. 3. The essay writer uses a mixture ofdirect quotes andsummaries of arguments. a) Find an example of each. b) What phrase does the writer use to mark the point where he moves from dealing with Source A to Source B? c) List all the phrases used to introduce summaries. It has been claimed that . 4. You are preparing to write anessay titled ‘The social effects of tourism in developing countries’. Read the sources and then complete the paragraph comparing their views. SOURCE C When countries begin to provide facilities for mass tourism, such as hotels and le isure complexes, there is an immediate demand for labour. Work is created for cleaners, waiters, gardeners and drivers on a scale which may significantly boost the local economy. Such work may provide opportunities to learn valuable new skills. For many, these semi-skilled jobs provide an attrac tive alternative to subsisten ce agriculture or fishing, while at the same time the tax revenues from their earnings increase the national income