How students study smartly through summary writing

In summarisation study strategy, learners identify the most important ideas from a lesson, textbook, lectures, or other learning material. Then, they express them in shorter, clearer forms using their own words. By wending that way, learners understand, remember, and revise information more effectively. Moreover, when they stick to this serious sequence: Read, understand, identify, summarise, recall, test and review. The main aim is to reduce lengthy information into manageable notes while preserving the essential meaning. For example, instead of memorising 5 pages about Short Forms in Literature in English, a learner can write a short paragraph about the types, characteristics, styles used, et cetera. Therefore, summarisation is a useful strategy for turning large amounts of information into concise, meaningful notes. More importantly, its greatest value comes not only from shortening texts, but also from selecting important ideas, understanding their relationships, and reconstructing them in your own words as a learner. For stronger learning outcomes, advisedly, the learner must opt to combine summarisation with other smart study strategies such as Cornell note-taking, Leitner flashcards, active recall, spaced repetition, practising questions, et cetera.

Indeed, revisiting the Cornell Note-taking technique, you divide your notebook page into three sections: (a) Notes, where you write main ideas. (b) Cues, for keywords and questions. (c) Summary, a short paragraph explaining the lesson. So, after a lesson or successful study session, write a summary at the bottom of the page. Later on, cover the notes and use the questions in the cue column to test your understanding. Likewise, you can also embark on the One-Page Summary Method, where, after completing a topic, condense its most important information onto one page. Remember to carefully capture: the topic’s main idea, important definitions, key facts and concepts, formulas or diagrams, and possible examination questions. It is instructive to note: this method is mostly useful when revising several topics before writing examinations. The right route to summarising content before you write exams is to make wise use of the 5-Finger Summarisation Method. How? Thumb: the main topic or definition. Index finger: First key point. Middle finger: Second key point. Ring finger: Third key point. Little finger: Example, application, or conclusion.

Origin of Summarisation

Somehow, summarisation does not have one single inventor. Ideally, it developed through well-thought-out educational practices that emphasise reading comprehension, identifying main ideas, and organising information. In retrospect, in the recent past, learners condensed long texts and speeches into shorter accounts to aid understanding and recall. Then, in these times and climes, researchers and educators have developed smart strategies for identifying main ideas, removing unnecessary details, and expressing information concisely. In Cognitive Learning Research – research about learning and memory – has helped explain why summarising can support understanding when learners actively select, organise, and explain important information. More importantly, summarisation is deeply associated with the wonderful work of educational researcher Ann Lesley Brown (1943-1999) and collaborators – whose landmark research explored learning strategies, comprehension and wise use of summaries. They focused more on developing teaching methods for instructing children to be better and smarter learners. Their intense interest in human memory made them focus on active retention strategies that would help them help enhance human memory and developmental differences in memory tasks.

Types of Summarisation

Then, there are different types of summarisation approaches learners can focus on. They include (1) Paragraph Summary: Condensing a passage into a short paragraph. For example, summarising an English or a Kiswahili passage. (2) Bullet-Point Summary: Presenting key ideas as short points. For example, summarising causes of World War I in bullets. (3) Outline Summary: Organising information under headings and sub-headings; topics and sub-topics; strands and sub-strands. For example, coming up with outline of Insurance as a topic in Business Studies. (4) Table Summary: Placing related information into columns. For example, comparing plants and animal cells in Biology. (5) Diagrammatic Summary: Using diagrams or concept maps to succinctly capture information. For example, summarising the water cycle in Geography. (6) One-Sentence Summary: Expressing the central idea in one sentence. For example, defining Pressure in Physics. (7) Chapter Summary: Condensing the main idea of an entire chapter. For example, revising a chapter in CRE.

Objectives of Summarisation

Somewhat, summarisation has several objectives, which include: Identifying main ideas in a topic. Distinguishing essential information from supporting details. Understanding complex concepts in simpler language. Improving reading comprehension skills. Logically organising information. Reducing the amount of material needed for revision. Improving long-term retention (LTR). More so, when combined with active recall and spaced practice or rehearsal. Preparing properly for examinations. Developing writing and critical thinking skills. Connecting related ideas within a specific subject. Producing concise revision notes. Encouraging understanding rather than copying, cramming or drilling. Improving recall when combined with self-testing. Identifying knowledge gaps.

Making Summarisation Effective

Broadly, summarisation works well when combined with other well-known study strategies. Firstly, use active recall. After penning a summary, close your book and recall information from banks of memory. Secondly, use spaced repetition or rehearsal. Review your summary at increasing intervals, such as: Later the same day. Next day. Three days later. One week later. Two weeks later. Remember to adjust these intervals according to how challenging the material seems to be, and how soon you are set to sit and write exams. Thirdly, practise examination questions by using your summary to answer questions without looking at your notes. This is the best way of applying what you have learnt. Then, keep the summaries short, succinct and more meaningful. A strong summary should capture the essential information without reproducing an entire book. Avoid copying word for word. So, rewrite information in your own words so that you process the meaning. Advisedly, use diagrams when need be. Explore: Flowcharts, mind maps, and labelled diagrams. Why? This will help you understand and connect concepts.

Application of Summarisation

Finally, read and understand a section of notes or textbook carefully. Understand the meaning before attempting to shorten the material. Secondly, identify key points by looking for topic sentences, definitions, important facts, explanations, causes, effects, examples and conclusions. Thirdly, write in your own words. Close the notes where possible and explain main ideas using simple, accurate language. Again, organise and shorten information through use of headings, bullet points, tables, or diagrams. Expunge repetition and unnecessary details. With that, test your understanding by putting the original material away. Explain the topic from memory. Answer questions. Check your summary for missing or incorrect information.

Victor Ochieng rolls out talks and training services in schools. He speaks to students about useful Study Strategies, Skills, Methods, habits, and Techniques. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232