Summarising is an essential skill for English learners, especially for students who want to improve their reading and writing abilities. It helps in understanding and condensing information from various sources into a shorter form while retaining the main ideas. This skill is crucial not only for academic purposes but also for everyday communication, such as explaining an article or summarising a meeting. Techniques for summarising effectively, along with examples to illustrate how to summarise successfully are provided below. 

1. What is Summarising?

Summarising means taking the key points from a larger text and condensing them into a shorter, clear version. A good summary:

• Includes the main ideas.
• Excludes unnecessary details and examples.
• Is written in the summariser’s own words.

The goal is to communicate the essence of the text without altering its meaning.

2. Steps to Summarise Effectively

Follow these steps to create an accurate and clear summary:

- Read and Understand the Text

Before summarising, read the entire text carefully. Make sure you understand the main ideas and the purpose of the text. Pay attention to:

• Titles and headings.
• Topic sentences (often the first sentence in a paragraph).
• Repeated keywords or phrases.

- Identify the Main Ideas

Highlight or underline the key points of the text. Look for information that answers the questions:

• What is the text about?
• What are the most important arguments or facts?
• What is the conclusion or final message?

- Exclude Unnecessary Details

Leave out examples, minor details, statistics, and personal opinions unless they are crucial to understanding the main ideas.

- Rewrite in Your Own Words

Use your own words to express the main ideas. Avoid copying sentences directly from the text. Paraphrasing shows that you have understood the material.

- Keep it Concise

A summary should be much shorter than the original text. It typically includes only 30-40% of the original length, depending on the purpose.

- Check Your Summary

After writing your summary, compare it with the original text to ensure you have captured the key points accurately and that nothing important is missing.

3. Examples of Summarising

Let’s look at some examples to illustrate the summarising process:

Example 1: Article Summary

Original Text: "Many people believe that exercising regularly is the key to maintaining good health. Studies show that even 30 minutes of exercise a day can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, exercise improves mental health by reducing stress and anxiety."

Summary: Regular exercise improves physical and mental health, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and lowering stress levels.

Practice Activity

Try summarising the following passage:

Original Text: "Reading books has many benefits. It enhances vocabulary, improves focus, and increases knowledge about various topics. Additionally, reading fiction can boost creativity, while reading non-fiction helps develop critical thinking skills. With digital distractions everywhere, setting aside time for reading is more important than ever."

Your Summary: (Write a one- or two-sentence summary.)

Possible Answer: Reading books improves vocabulary, focus, and knowledge. Fiction enhances creativity, while non-fiction develops critical thinking skills, making reading essential in today’s digital age.