Summarising follows note-making. The purpose of note-making is usually

Summarising

Summarising is a writing skill that follows note-making and involves condensing the main points of a text into a shorter form while retaining the essential information. Unlike note-making, which is usually for personal reference and is highly abridged, summarising is meant for reporting the main ideas to others and is less severely shortened. The process of summarising involves selecting and paraphrasing all important information from the original source by carefully analysing the paragraphs or passage to formulate a coherent plan for writing. The steps involved in summarising are similar to those in note-making: first, underline important ideas; second, write them down, abridging verbs; and third, avoid examples, explanations, and repetition. However, in summarising, instead of nominalising points by changing verbs into nouns, the points are expanded into full sentences and linked using suitable connectors to maintain flow and clarity. Precision in expression is essential, and the summary should include all the main ideas of the original text. Practising the use of one word to replace many words helps in making summaries concise and effective. For example, the sentence 'Children who show intelligence far beyond their age often turn out to be mediocre in adult life' can be summarised as 'Precocious children often turn out to be mediocre in adult life.' Similarly, 'Her genius was marked by excellence in the various arts, languages and science' can be summarised as 'She was a versatile genius.' These examples illustrate how summarising involves condensing information without losing meaning.

• Summarising follows note-making and is less abridged.
• It involves selecting and paraphrasing all important information.
• Steps: underline important ideas, write them abridged, avoid examples and repetition.
• Points are expanded into full sentences linked with connectors.
• Precision and inclusion of all main ideas are essential.
• Use of one word for many helps in concise summarising.
• 📌 Summarising: The process of selecting and paraphrasing the main ideas of a text in a concise form.
• 📌 Note-making: Writing down abridged points for personal reference.

Example Passage on Soybeans and Note-making

The passage describes soybeans, their botanical classification, uses, nutritional benefits, and methods of consumption. Soybeans belong to the legume family and are the seeds of the soybean plant. They can be grown in a variety of soils and climates, demonstrating their adaptability. Soybeans are versatile; they can be consumed as whole beans, sprouts, or processed into various food items such as soy milk, tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein, miso, soy sauce, soy oil, margarine, and soy dairy alternatives. Beyond food, soybeans are used in making candles and bio-diesel. Nutritionally, soybeans are an excellent source of high-quality protein, low in saturated fats, and cholesterol-free. They are rich in vitamins, especially the Vitamin B complex, minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron, potassium, copper, and dietary fibres. Recent studies highlight soy's ability to lower Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) or 'bad cholesterol,' reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, a fact confirmed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Soymilk, a lactose-free alternative to dairy milk, is available with added flavors and is suitable for people allergic to normal milk. It can be prepared at home by soaking soybeans in water, grinding them, and straining the mixture. This passage is used to demonstrate the process of note-making and summarising, showing how to extract key points and condense information effectively.

• Soybeans are seeds of the leguminous soybean plant.
• They grow in various soils and climates.
• Used as beans, sprouts, and processed foods like soy milk, tofu, tempeh, etc.
• Also used for making candles and bio-diesel.
• Rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, and fibres; low in saturated fats and cholesterol.
• Soymilk is lactose-free, flavored, and suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• 📌 Legume: A family of plants that produce seeds in pods.
• 📌 Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL): Often called 'bad cholesterol' linked to heart disease.
• 📌 Soymilk: A plant-based milk alternative made from soybeans.