Examples of summarising
AN ACTIVITY: Example of a paragraph that needs to be summarised.
Original text
Language and Communication
Language is the main means of communication between people. But so many different languages have developed that language has often been a barrier rather than an aid to understanding among peoples. For many years, people have dreamed of setting up an international, universal language which all people could speak and understand. The arguments in favour of a universal language are simple and obvious. If all peoples spoke the same tongue, cultural and economic ties might be much closer, and good will might increase between countries.
(Kispart as cited in Oshima & Hogue, 1999, p. 94).
Now write your summarised version
A suggested summary:
People communicate mainly through language. However, having so many different languages creates communication barriers. Some think that one universal language would bring countries together culturally and economically and also increase good feelings among them (Kispart cited in Oshima & Hogue, 1999).
Comment
- Main ideas have been included.
- Original meaning is unchanged.
- Original sentence structure has changed.
- Original length has reduced.
- Original source has been referenced.