Now try representing the information more concisely by completing the 'mind map' started below. Remember to write down key words rather than phrases.

SOURCES	PROPERTIES	USES
MAGNESIUM

 

 

SUMMARISING

 

There are various types of summary you may need to make during your course. Three main types can be distinguished:

1. It may be satisfactory for your needs to summarise a text in only one or two sentences. A short summary like this may be needed, for example, for the abstract of a short essay or article you have written.

2. A more detailed summary may be necessary. For example, you may need to summarise the entire content of an article you are reading. This is called global summarising.

3. You may need to summarise only some of the information in a text. Such a selective summary may involve the extraction of relevant material from a large body of prose.

 

DISCUSSION

 

If you have an article or chapter of a book in your subject area and need to incorporate many of the ideas into an essay you are writing, which of the following strategies are you most likely to adopt? Discuss them with your teacher.

(a) Translate the text into your own language. You can then make sure you understand it and translate relevant parts back into English (without having to look at the original) when you wnte your essay.

(b) Having made sure you understand the English, write an acknowledgement of the source of the text at the beginning of your essay. This will allow you to copy freely from the text in your writing and save time and effort in having to put everything into your own words.

(c) Having acknowledged the source of the text, quote all the parts that are relevant to your needs in your writing. It is better to quote than to risk making mistakes by paraphrasmg or summarising.

(d) Read through the text, copying sentences or phrases that are relevant to your work but making sure tó change some of the wording as far as possible.

(e) Take notes on the text in your own words in English, having made sure you understand it. You can then use your notes in writing your essay without having to consult the original text. The notes can also be used as a basis for a summary of the text if this is needed.

 

 

TASK 3