I. . .
Summary and Annotation
The reading of original literature is crucial to get the latest information. Summary (abstract, précis) and annotation have become important forms of such information providing. These forms can essentially reduce the specialists time of information (data) processing.
Summary is a short written account of something, which gives the important points but not the details. It is usually opens an article or a report. It can be considered as a shortened version of an original. The summary is expected to be about a sixth or a tenths of the original in length. It is usually far easier to write it after you have read the original. First go through it lifting out important information, findings, conclusions and recommendations. It is necessary to avoid including excessive background and detail. Sometimes the summary may take a spoken form. To prepare a summary you should:
1. Study the work carefully;
2. Make definite opinion of what has been read;
3. Develop the appropriate style of writing;
4. Communicate accurately the authors conclusions;
5. Write briefly and clearly.
Annotation is the extremely brief account of the main contents like the list of major problems. If the purpose of summary is to get the reader acquainted with the main contents of the original and the substitute it to some degree, the annotation considers only the articles or the books topic and facilitates search of necessary information on the subject. To make annotation, you should do the following:
1. Write down the name of the original (article or book) in English:
2. Translate this into Russian.
3. Write down the publishing data of the article (book).
4. Resume briefly (in 3-4 sentences) the contents of the original.
The following phrases normally open summaries and annotations:
The article (text/story) is concerned with
This work deals with
This work is devoted to
Mention was made of the new achievements in the field of
Special emphasis is laid on
Particular attention is given to
Notice has been taken to
It is known (thought) that
A new method (approach) has been proposed
The author comes to the conclusions
The work is of primary interest (importance, value) for
One manager who had trouble summarizing a lengthy report discovered a helpful technique. He imagined that he and his boss got on the elevator on the 35th floor and rode down to the lobby. His boss remarked, I just got your report on the new sales incentive plan. Whats it all about? The manager would - in the time it takes an elevator to descend 35 floors give his boss the rationale, findings, and recommendations of the report.
Depending on how tall your building is or how fast or slow the elevators are you may want to try this technique to help you frame your summary.
II. .
1. What is a definition of a summary?
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2. Is it difficult to write summaries?
3. What phrases are typical for a summary or an annotation opening?
4. What technique can be proposed for making an annotation?
5. How long can it take you to write a summary?
III. .
| Nouns | |
| summary/abstract/precis | |
| annotation | |
| aim/purpose/object | |
| intention | |
| action | |
| effect/function | , |
| approach | |
| method/technique | |
| manner/way | |
| suggestion | |
| trend/tendency | |
| task | |
| Verbs | |
| sum up/summarize | , , |
| assume | , , |
| consider | , |
| expect | , |
| find/reveal | , |
| maintain | |
| intend | |
| show/demonstrate | , |
| suppose/suggest | |
| report | |
| interpret | , |
| think/reckon | |
| prove/give evidence | |
| Expressions | |
| call attention to | - |
| give/pay attention to | - (-) |
| do away with | , |
| make attempt | , |
| make mention of | |
| make reference to | |
| make use of | , |
| take account of | , |
| take advantage of | |
| take care of | , |
| take notice of | , |
IV. .
| assume | |
| approach | |
| suggestion | |
| task | |
| maintain | |
| consider | |
| purpose | |
| action |
V. .
| accurate (adj) | free from errors |
| adequate (adj) | enough; sufficient |
| analyze (v) | study in all parts |
| issue (n) | a matter of dispute or a difference |
| knowledge (n) | information that is capable of being learned |
| transition (n) | smooth connection of ideas |
| valid (adj) | truthful or supported by accurate facts and statistics |
| abstract (n) | a short piece of writing that summarizes the main point of it |
VI. :
| make mention of | |
| take account of | |
| call attention to | (-) |
| make use of | |
| take notice of | |
| take advantage of | |
| make attempt | - (-) |
| pay attention to |
VII. .
| aim | technique |
| manner | sum up |
| method | objective |
| summarize | tendency |
| reveal | way |
| trend | show |
| demonstrate | find |
VIII. .
| accurate (adj) | truthful or supported by accurate facts and statistics |
| adequate (adj) | free from errors |
| valid (adj) | enough; sufficient |
| analyze (v) | study in all parts |
| issue (n) | a short piece of writing that summarizes the main point of it |
| transition (n) | a matter of dispute or a difference |
| abstract (n) | information that is capable of being learned |
| knowledge (n) | smooth connection of ideas |
IX. .
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1. This statement was followed by a long discussion concerning the meaning and application of the theory. 2. Mention was made of the new achievements in this field. 3. An attempt was made to review the vast amount of new facts obtained in this field. 4. This method allows the data to be easily obtained. 5. The method was proved to be of considerable commercial value. 6. Our conclusions were supported by new evidence furnished by other investigators. 7. The scheme insisted upon proved to be satisfactory. 8. Much attention was paid to the data reported. 9. The object of investigations is to understand the way these changes are brought about. 10. Mentioning some unsolved problems, a certain amount of work has to be done upon the development of the theory. 11. We should summarize the information available on this subject. 12. The solution to this problem might probably be found in this work. 13. Proof of the correctness of this interpretation would seem to call for some modification of our notions. 14. The suggestion does not seem to have satisfied itself in practice.
X. .
1. . 2. . 3. - . 4. . 5. 1/6 1/10 . 6. , . 7. . 8. , . 9. . 10. , .
REVIEWING A NEWSPAPER ARTICLE (TEXT/STORY)
Describe the article (text/story) you are going to review by giving answers to the following questions:
1. How is the article (text/story) entitled (headlined)?
2. What newspaper (magazine, book/textbook) is it published in?
3. What page is it on?
4. What is the date of the issue?
5. Who is the author (writer/journalist/correspondent/narrator)?
6. What problem is it devoted to?
7. What is your opinion on the problem spoken about in the article (text/story)?
8. What can you say in conclusion?
I. Use the following expressions to answer the questions given above:
| The plan for reviewing the article (text/story) | Some expressions to be used while reviewing the article (text/story) |
| 1. The title of the article (text/story). | The article (text/story) is entitled (headlined) . The title (headline/heading) of the article (text/story) Ive read is |
| 2. The author (writer/narrator/correspondent) of the article (text/story); where and when the article (text/story) was published (written). | The author (writer/narrator/correspondent) of the article (text/story) is The article (text/story) is written by It is (was) published (written) in It is (was) printed in . |
| 3. The main idea of the article (text/story). | The main idea of the article (text/story) is . The article (text/story) is about/is devoted to/ deals with/ is concerned with/touches upon . The purpose (aim/goal/objective) of the article (text/story) is to give/provide the reader some information/material/data on . |
| 4. The contents of the article (text/story). Some facts, names, figures. | a) The author (writer/narrator/correspondent) starts by telling the readers (about, that) . b) The author (writer/narrator/corres-pondent) writes (states/stresses/thinks/points out) that . The article (text/story) describes . c) According to the text (article/story) . Further the author reports (informs/says) that . The article (text/story) goes on to say that . |
| 5. Your opinion of the article (text/story). | From my viewpoint (in my opinion/to my mind/I think/believe/consider) Ive found the article (text/story) interesting (important/dull/informative/knowledgeable/of practical use/of no value/too hard to understand ) |
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II. Complete your story with the help of the expressions given below:
1. The article (text/story) ends with
2. The author (writer/narrator/correspondent) comes to the conclusion
3. In conclusion the author (writer/narrator/correspondent)
4. At the end of the article (text/story) the author (writer/narrator/correspondent) sums it up
III. The plan for reviewing a newspaper article (text/story):
1. The title (headline/heading) of the article (text/story)
2. Where and when the article (text/story) was published (written)
3. The author (writer/narrator/correspondent) of the article (text/story) (if stated)
4. The main idea of the article (text/story) (some names, facts, figures)
5. The conclusion of the article (text/story)
