Chapter 7 Summary

I. Teaching Objectives

On completion of this Chapter, students should be able to:

1. 2. 3. 4. describe the definition of a summary;

identify major classifications of summaries;

analyze the communicative purposes of summaries; learn the techniques of summary writing.

II. The Points to Be Highlighted

1. The Definition of Summary 2. Classification of Summaries

3. Writing Skills: 1) Procedures for Writing a Summary 2) Hints for Writing a Summary

3) Useful Patterns for Summary

III. Teaching Approaches and Facilities

Approaches: 1. Pair/Group work 2. Discussion 3 Task-based approach

4. Communicative approach 5. Questions and answers……

Facilities: blackboard, video clip; media classroom; on-line research;

IV. Background Information

 A summary is a short version of a longer text, and it gives only the main points. One very

effective way of studying business material is to write down the significant points, the important facts. Writing summaries helps to clarify the business information and makes it stick in the mind longer.

 Writing a summary is quite helpful not only in day-to-day preparations but also in reviewing

for tests. Pulling the main points and ideas from pages and pages of the business material or meeting and then writing them down coherently and understandably are sound approach to business communication.

 概要(summary)是一种对原始文献（或文章、文本）基本内容进行浓缩的语义连贯的短

文。概要简明、确切地表述原文的重要内容，不加主观评论和解释，使读者迅速掌握原文梗概。

Sample of a Summary Original text

At a typical football match we are likely to see players committing deliberate fouls, often behind the referee's back. They might try to take a throw-in or a free kick from an incorrect but more advantageous position in defiance of the clearly stated rules of the game. They sometimes challenge the rulings of the referee or linesman in an offensive way which often deserves exemplary punishment or even sending off. No wonder spectators fight amongst themselves, damage stadiums, or take the law into their own hands by invading the pitch in the hope of affecting the outcome of the match. [100 words]

Summary

Unsportsmanlike behavior by footballers may cause hooliganism among spectators. [9 words]

V. Teaching Procedures and Contents

Lead-in

Group work: Some scholar regarded a summary as a bridge between reading and writing. How do you understand it? Discuss with your group members.

Pair work: Point out the differences between the following passage and its summary. Original text

The work of the Accounts Department is divided between the people who work in it. There are wages clerks whose work is obvious from their title. As well as calculating wages and overtime they also have to make adjustments for unpaid leave, or sick leave and their special circumstances.

Accounts clerks keep records of payments received from customers and send out bills for payment received from customers and send out bills for payments due. If a company has markets both at home and overseas there will be two sets of clerk to deal with each market separately, as special knowledge of overseas banking procedures is needed for export and import work.

Summary

Within the Accounts Department there are both wages clerks and accounts clerks. When a company sells goods, different sets of clerks are employed for the home and overseas markets.

Specific Contents 1. Definition of a Summary

A summary is a short version of a longer text, and it gives only the main points.

2. Classification of Summaries

Descriptive Summary描述型概要：A descriptive summary is often referred to as a descriptive abstract. This type of writing is very important to businessman who wants to keep abreast of what is going on in a field. So invaluable are these descriptive summaries in determining whether or not some particular article is pertinent to a specific interest in entire periodicals and books. In the descriptive summary, you inject no personal feelings or thoughts, presenting the main points of the material objectively.

Informative Summary信息型概要：The informative summary tells what is in the work in a paragraph to several pages, depending on the length of the original.

Evaluative Summary评价型概要：A summary may evaluate; it may be the purpose of the summary not only to report the gist of a piece of writing but also to comment on is accuracy, completeness, and usefulness. In the evaluative summary you include your own reactions, your thoughts and feelings, along with a report on the main facts in the material.

Task Design: Pair Work: Read the following passage and discuss with your partner about what kind of summary it is.

Computer Crime The author addresses the criminology of computer crime—why computers are

chosen as targets for criminal purposes and how to secure them against such unlawful uses. The strengths and weaknesses of existing prosecutorial and investigatory machinery are explored. Federal and state laws governing computer crime reanalyzed. The evidentiary problems in prosecuting and convicting computer criminals and current cases are examined.

Task Answer: It is a descriptive summary (Summary of a Book Review).

3. Genre Features of Summaries

Communicative Purposes: 概要的交际目的是让读者尽快了解文章的主要内容，以补充题名的不足。现代文献信息浩如烟海，读者检索到文章题名后，主要通过阅读概要来判断是否会阅读全文。所以，概要发挥着吸引读者和将文章的主要内容介绍给读者的作用。

Linguistic Features of Summaries: 概要的语言特点包括：内容客观，忠实原文；语言简洁，衔接连贯。

 Objective and Faithful(内容客观，忠实原文):概要是使用读者自己的语言对一篇较长文章的基本内容加以总结，不是对原文进行释义，或变换措辞，而是在原文内容基础上的提炼。因此，概要中所有内容要客观，要忠实原文，既不能漏掉基本内容，也不要随意增加内容。  Concise and Coherent(语言简洁，衔接连贯) 概要写作要求在正确理解文章的基础上，用精炼的词句高度浓缩文章的主要内容和观点，做到语言简洁，衔接连贯。概要中不应包含细节、例证以及资料性、阐述性的内容。严格遵守篇幅的，通常为原文篇幅的1/3或1/4。

 Structural Features of Summaries: A summary is a short version of a longer text, and it gives

only the main points. The format most often includes: a title, paragraphs, author‟s name and a date. Short sentences are normally required, but numbered points and/or other graphic devices may also be used. The length of a summary varies according to its purpose; however, it should generally be no more than one-fourth the length of the original.

Task Design: Pair Work: Retell the following paragraph to your partner by using as few words as possible.

At a typical football match we are likely to see players committing deliberate fouls, often behind the referee's back. They might try to take a throw-in or a free kick from an incorrect but more advantageous position in defiance of the clearly stated rules of the game. They sometimes challenge the rulings of the referee or linesmen in an offensive way which often deserves exemplary punishment or even sending off. No wonder spectators fight amongst themselves, damage stadiums, or take the law into their own hands by invading the pitch in the hope of affecting the outcome of the match.

Task Answer:

Unsportsmanlike behavior by footballers may cause hooliganism among spectators. [9 words]

4.Techniques for Writing Summaries

 Steps of Summary Writing(概要的写作步骤)

概要写作主要包括三个步骤：阅读、写作、修改成文。  Reading(阅读)

首先，通读全文，对文章大意有所了解。阅读时，要把注意力集中到原文的中心思想和文章整体结构框架上，决定内容的取舍。阅读中，应快速地找到主题句，以便有助于抓住中心，理解全文。有的文章主题句出现在开头或结尾，找出即可。有的文章中没有主题句，则要根据各段落、各层次的大意用自己的语言进行总结。  Writing（动手写作）

写作过程中，应注意以下事项：

 既然是概要，其基本意义在于不是原文的“复写 ”、“复述”，而是原文的概括，

应注意字数要求。一般说来，文章概要的比例可以控制在原文1/3或1/4左右；  可以引用原文重要词语，但不可过多，否则便失去了概要的意义；  概要应该遵循原文的逻辑顺序和结构；

 概要必须全面、清晰地表达原文的信息，以便读者不需翻阅原文就可以完全掌握

材料的原意；

 一定要客观、准确地反映原文真实意图，不可随意添加、参杂个人意图或观点。

概要写作时可以采用以下几种技巧：

 删除细节，只保留主要观点；

 避免重复。在原文中，为了强调某个主题，可能会重复论证说明。但是这在概要

中是不能使用的。应该删除那些突出强调的重述句；  把长段的描述变成短小的句子。  使用词组代替整句或者从句。

例如：Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai, Lushan Mountain, and Mount Huang, were visited by only a few people in the past. Today, better wages, holidays with pay, new hotels on these mountains and better train and bus services have brought them within reach of many who never thought of visiting them ten years ago.

可以概括为：Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai, once visited by only a few people, are today accessible to many, thanks to better wages, paid holidays, new hotels and better transportation services.

 使用概括性的名词代替具体的词，

例如： She brought home several Chinese and English novels, a few copies of Time and Newsweek and some textbooks. She intended to read all of them during the winter vocation.

可以概括为：She brought home a lot of books to read during the vocation.

 使用最简短的连接词。比如，可以使用 “but”, “then”, “thus”, “yet”, “though”，避免

使用“at the same time”, “in the first place” 等较长的连接词。

 文章中的第一人称和第二人称通常在概要中转换成第三人称，从而把大段的对白

简化。

 Modifying（修改成文）

概要也需要先拟草稿，然后修改成文。首先，比照原文，看是否概括了所有重要的观点，概要中的观点是否与原文中的完全一致；其次，检查草稿内容是否具有连贯性和可读性；再次，删除概要中不必要的词汇、短语或长句子；第四，检查概要中确切字数、拼写、语法和标点符号。

 Summary Writing for Narrative and Exposition（记叙文和说明文的概要写

作）

这里分别介绍记叙文(narrative)和说明文(exposition)的内容要点，记叙文(narrative)和说

明文(exposition)的概要要根据其文章的要点进行写作。

记叙文(narrative)和说明文(exposition)的文章的要点

记叙文的概要（A summary of a 说明文的概要（A summary of an exposition）story/narrative）的要点 的要点 Who: What: When: Where: How: The result: The writer‟s opinion: The topic--- what: The reasons--- why: The effects--- How: The solutions: The conclusion:

阅读以下两篇文章，并进行概要写作： Original text

Life is not easy, so I‟d like to say “When anything happens, believe in yourself. ”

When I was 14, I was too nervous to talk to anyone. My classmates often laughed at me. I was sad but could do nothing. Later, something happened. It changed my life. It was an English speech contest. My mother asked me to take part in it. What a terrible idea! It meant I had to speak in front of all the teachers and students of my school!

“Come on, boy. Believe in yourself. You are sure to win. ”At last I chose the topic “Believe in yourself”. I tried my best to remember all the speech and practiced it over 100 times. With my mother‟s help and great love, I did well in the contest. I could hardly believe my ears when I heard the news that I had won the first place. I heard the cheers from the teachers and students. Those classmates who once looked down on me, now all said “congratulations!” to me. My mother hugged me and cried excitedly.

Since then, everything has changed for me. Whatever I do, I try to tell myself to be sure and I will find myself. This is true not only for a person but also for a country.

从阅读文章可以看出, 这是一篇记叙文，其概要部分内容应该覆盖 “who , what , when ,where , how , the result , the writer‟s opinion” 等信息点(视原文而定)。 同时，用第三人称而不是第一人称转述内容概要。所以例文2.6可以概括为：

The author was afraid to talk to his classmates before but later his mother asked him to participate an English speech contest，which changed his life and let him know confidence is very important. Original text

Three fourths of the earth‟s surface is covered by water, some of which is frozen and most of which is salty. In fact, less than one percent is left for all the living things. Now fresh water is becoming scarce, but more and more is needed because of the increasing number of people. Some industries also use amounts of fresh water in the production of things such as steel, paper, and rubber. These factories have polluted water flow into rivers without making it clean. What‟s more, people in the city have much dirtied water piped into ditches after cooking every day.

Scientists estimate that the need for fresh water will have doubled by the year 2003. This

means that we must find new ways of saving it or producing it. Some nations have worked on the problem and are already sharing their information with others. They are trying to keep their rivers from being polluted. Deep wells are also being dug, and rainwater is being collected in huge artificial lakes. In one way or another, they hope to provide enough water to satisfy the needs of their people. For example, one important way to produce water is to distill it from sea water. After the salt has been removed, sea water can be used not only for drinking but also for industry and irrigation. However, the equipment for distillation process is very expensive. Distilled water might be as dear as gold if pollution goes on.

本文为一篇说明文, 其概要部分内容应该覆盖: “The topic(What)； The reasons(Why)；The effects(How)；The solution” 等信息。所以例文2.7可以概括为：

Fresh water is becoming exhausted due to the increasing number of people and the industries. It is necessary to find new ways of saving it or producing it, and some nations have taken measures to deal with the problem.

 Useful Patterns for Summary（概要中的常用句式） First At the beginning In the first part In the introduction the author the reporter the reader In the next part In the main part Second Then Afterwards Moreover In addition to that Further on Next the reader is informed about the author goes on with we are told about we read / hear about argues writes states points out explains mentions that what why if is informed the theory the data / question the statistics the belief the argument the opinion / topic the problem emphasizes analyses discusses concludes finds the solution adds stresses pretends hints the author In the end Finally At last As a conclusion Summing up his / her thoughts

the writer the poet the journalist the reporter the scientist Task Design:

Identify the topic sentence of each of the following three paragraphs.

1. Give students a chance to grow. Do you mold them from one of a thousand patterns? Let them seek knowledge, but do not find it for them. Let them learn patience; do not force it on them. Let them take their own time to grow; do not set rigid time schedules. Most important of all, do not push them against a stone wall, crushing them with knowledge gained from the experience of others. Experience cannot be taught; it must come slowly through personal search.

2.In the crowded areas of high pollution, such as Los Angeles, it is estimated that people are losing about 10 years, on the average, of their lifespan. Diseases related to air pollution, such as emphysema, are more and more common in younger and younger people. Continued rapid growth of the human population will lead to more pollution and a lower standard of health for everyone. More polluting cars will be needed for transport; more polluting factories will be needed to produce goods. More fertilizer and pesticide will be used as people attempt to grow more and more food.

3. One of the most important problems the world will have to face in the future is the rapid growth of its population. The number of inhabitants on this planet has already reached four billion. If the present growth rate remains unchecked, the world‟s population may double in the next 30 or 35 years. Such situation may bring about starvation, poverty, and serious health problems.

Task Answer：

1 Experience cannot be taught; it must come slowly through personal search.

2 Continued rapid growth of the human population will lead to more pollution and a lower standard of health for everyone.

3 One of the most important problems the world will have to face in the future is the rapid growth of its human population. Practical Exercises Task1：Identify the topic sentence of each of the following two paragraphs.

1. There are several reasons why Toby likes his new job. To begin with, he now has more free time. He goes to work later in the morning and gets home earlier in the evening. Furthermore, he now makes more money. His weekly pay check has increased from $75 to $130. Above all, he now has a better chance for advancement. The skills he is learning will help him to qualify for a much higher-paying position.

2. How can you protect yourself from the danger of lightning? For one thing, when you are at home, keep away from the stove, fireplace, and windows. For another, don‟t take a bath or a shower during a storm, as water carries electricity easily. Third, if you are outdoors, get into a building or car, if possible. Fourth, stay off hilltop and away from any tree or tower that stands by itself. Fifth, if you can‟t get away quickly from a beach, a field, or other open place, lie down until the storm moves away.

Answer:

1. There are several reasons why Toby likes his new job.

2. There are several ways of protecting yourself from the danger of lightening. Task2：Rewrite the following three paragraphs.

1. Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai, Lushan Mountain, and Mount Huang, were visited by only

a few people in the past. Today, better wages, holidays with pay, new hotels on these mountains, and better train and bus services have brought them within reach of many who never thought of visiting them ten years ago.

2. She brought home several Chinese and English novels, a few copies of Time and Newsweek and some textbooks. She intended to read all of them during the winter vocation.

3. Kate looked at Paul disapprovingly: “You use too much salt on your food, Paul, it‟s not good for you!” Paul put down his knife and frowned: “Why on earth not! If you didn‟t have salt on your food it would taste awful like eating cardboard or sand. Just imagine bread without salt in it, or potatoes or pasta cooked without salt!” Kate was patient. She didn‟t want to quarrel with Paul. She wanted to persuade him. She said firmly: “But too much salt is bad for you. It causes high blood pressure and heart-attacks. It also disguises the taste of food, the real tastes which are much more subtle than salt.”

Answer:

1. Beautiful mountains like Mount Tai, once visited by only a few people, are today accessible to many, thanks to better wages, paid holidays, new hotels and better transportation services.

2. She brought home a lot of books to read during the vocation.

3. Kate suggested to Paul that he should eat less salt. She thought that eating too much salt would do hard to Paul‟s health and that it could reduce the real tastes of food. But Paul disagreed. He said that food without salt would be tasteless.

VI. Assignments

Checklist II &III

The sample answer for Checklist III The author thinks that their day of dependence, their long apprenticeship to the learning of other lands, draws to a close. Events, actions arise, that must be sung, that will sing themselves. Instead of the sublime and beautiful, the near, the low, the common, is explored and poetized. That which had been negligently trodden under foot by these who were harnessing and provisioning themselves for long journeys into far countries, is suddenly found to be richer than all foreign parts. Every trifle bristles with the polarity that ranges it instantly on an eternal Law, a man is related to all nature, and therefore his perception of the worth of the vulgar is fruitful in discoveries. Thus, the author asks: “Who can doubt that poetry will revive and lead in a new age, as the star in the constellation Harp, which now flames in our zenith, astronomers announce, shall one day be the polestar for a thousand years?”

VII. Samples of Summaries

Abstract of a Paper 论文的摘要 Recent years have seen increased emphasis being placed on the notion of genre in the language learning classroom. Less attention, however, has been given to the notion of „text type‟. This article argues that the distinction between „genre‟ and „text type‟ is an important and useful one. To illustrate this distinction, an analysis is presented of a number of texts from two genre-based coursebooks, one which focuses on adult second language literacy development, and another which focuses on writing in an academic context. The article also suggests ways in which the relationship between genres and text types may be exploited in the language learning classroom. （Sources：http://eltj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/50/3/237） Summary of a Report报告的概要 This report examines the nature and disposition of 3,458 ethics cases handled companywide by CGF Aircraft Corporation‟s ethics officers and managers during 2008. The purpose of this annual report is to provide the Ethics and Business Conduct Committee with the information necessary for assessing the effectiveness of the Ethics Program‟s first year of operation. Records maintained by ethics officers and managers of all contacts were compiled and categorized into two main types: (1) major ethics cases, or cases involving serious violations of company policies or illegal conduct, and (2) minor ethics cases, or cases not involving serious policy violations or illegal conduct. This report provides examples of the types of cases handled in each category and analyzes the disposition of 30 substantiated major ethics cases. Recommendations for planning for the second year of the Ethics Program are (1) continuing the channels of communication now available in the Ethics Program, (2) increasing financial and technical support for the Ethics Hotline, (3) disseminating the annual ethics report in some form to employees to ensure employees‟ awareness of the company‟s commitment to uphold its Ethics Policies and Procedures, and (4) implementing some measure of recognition for ethical behavior to promote and reward ethical conduct. (Source: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/modeldocs/pdf/formal_report.pdf) Advertisement广告 Fisheries, a bimonthly aquatic resource magazine, is published by the American Fisheries Society, an international organization of aquatic science professional, lay, and student members. Chartered in 1870,AFS is the world‟s oldest and largest scientific group dedicated to the advancement of fisheries science and the conservation of renewable aquatic resources. The magazine features articles on aquaculture, conservation and the environment, energy, exotic and endangered species, fish health, fisheries management, and water quality. In addition, it contains announcements of interest to fisheries people, reports on fisheries developments, equipment and materials advertisements, a schedule of fisheries meetings, and news and photos of AFS activities. Subscriptions are available from AFS, 10 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD20014. (Source: http://www.agricultureb2b.com/biz/e/Fish-Trade/Aquaculture/News-Media/) Summary of a Book Review书评的概要 Computer Crime The author addresses the criminology of computer crime—why computers are chosen as targets for criminal purposes and how to secure them against such unlawful uses. The strengths and weaknesses of existing prosecutorial and investigatory machinery are explored. Federal and state laws governing computer crime reanalyzed. The evidentiary problems in prosecuting and convicting computer criminals and current cases are examined. (Source: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9781565920866)

Informative Summary信息型概要

Original Paragraphs Machine Tools—Measure of Man’s Progress How much a nation produces determines how well its people live. First, we must produce enough food, clothing, and shelter. Only then can we produce the other benefits of civilization. A society‟s standard of living is in direct proportion to the amount it produces. People know that their own interests are served best when their society produces the greatest good for the greatest number. The greatest good for the greatest number means many things, but first and foremost it means the greatest amount of goods or material things for the greatest number of people. To produce these goods has required a steady increase in the quality of tools. Man‟s progress has been governed by the tools he has developed…In the earliest times, man was limited by the movements his hands and arms were capable of making. Craftsmen worked metal with muscular effort and hand tools. Today, metal workers use powered machine tools to shape and form the myriad parts which, when assembled, comprise our modern world of machinery. Piece parts are assembled into every conceivable product to satisfy our needs and wants. These products or piece parts all have certain standard forms and shapes which may be classified as solid concentric, flats and flanges, cups or cones, nonconcentric, and spiral repetitive. All of these forms and shapes require shape refinement to close tolerance and finishes by basic machine tools. Informative Summary of Paragraphs The goods it produces determine how well a society lives. The higher the quality of goods, the higher the quality of tools needed to produce those goods. The tools he has developed can measure man‟s progress. Today, powered machine tools produce pieces in the standard forms and shapes—solid concentric, flats and flanges, cups or cones, nonconcentric, and spiral repetitive—that require shape refinement by basic machine tools. (Source: http://www.omeidabbs.cn/simple/index.php?t2192.html) Evaluative Summary评价型概要

CLEAR ONLY IF KNOWN The well-written, clearly illustrated article “Clear Only If Known,” by Edgar Dale, answers the question, “Why do people give directions poorly and sometimes follow excellent directions inadequately?” In answering the first half of the question, “Why do people give directions poorly?” Dale states six specific reasons.  People do not always understand the complexity of the directions they attempt to give.  People give overly-complex directions that include unnecessary elements.  People overestimate the experience of the person asking directions.  People make explanations more technical than necessary.  People are unwilling to say, “I don‟t know.”  People use the wrong medium for giving directions. Each reason is easily identified because Dale uses words like “First of all,” “Another frequent reason,” and “Another difficulty in communicating directions” as introductory phrases. Further, each reason is explained in detail, as Dale gives at least one excellent illustration for each reason. The last half of the article briefly answers the second part of the question, “Why do people sometimes follow excellent directions inadequately?” Dale gives two reasons.  People don‟t understand directions but think they do.  People are often in too big a hurry when they ask for directions. In closing, Dale emphasizes the need for clear communication, saying that “clarity in the presentation of ideas is a necessity.” (Source: http://www.omeidabbs.cn/simple/index.php?t11.html) VIII. Reference Material

1.丁往道，吴冰，钟美荪，郭棲庆．英语写作手册[M]. 北京：外语教学与研究出版社，1994. 2. 赵纬．普通与科技英语写作技巧[M]. 北京：人民教育出版社，2000.