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Summarising & note-takingSummarisingOne of the most important aspects of reading for academic study is reading so you can make use of the ideas of other people. This is important as you need to show that you have understood the materials you have read and that you can use their ideas and findings in your own way. In fact, this is an essential skill for every student. Spack (1988, p. 42) has pointed out that the most important skill a student can engage in is "the complex activity to write from other texts", which is "a major part of their academic experience." It is very important when you do this to make sure you use your own words, unless you are quoting. You must make it clear when the words or ideas that you are using are your own and when they are taken from another writer. You must not use another person's words or ideas as if they were your own: this is Plagiarism and plagiarism is regarded as a very serious offence. SummarisingA summary is a shortened version of a text. It contains the main points in the text and is written in your own words. It is a mixture of reducing a long text to a short text and selecting relevant information. A good summary shows that you have understood the text. Look at this example:
The phrase "which is the animal class to which our frogs and toads belong" is an example, not a main point, and can be deleted. The rest of the text is rewritten in your own words. Try this exercise: Exercise. The following stages may be useful:
4b/c. Distinguish between main and subsidiary information. Delete most details and examples, unimportant information, anecdotes, examples, illustrations, data etc. Simplify the text. Reduce complex sentences to simple sentences, simple sentences to phrases, phrases to single words. Examples:
Example 1: Volcanic Islands Example and exercise: Progress in Samoa Exercises: Exercises ^ SynthesisA synthesis is a combination, usually a shortened version, of several texts made into one. It contains the important points in the text and is written in your own words. To make a synthesis you need to find suitable sources, and then to select the relevant parts in those sources. You will then use your paraphrase and summary skills to write the information in your own words. The information from all the sources has to fit together into one continuous text. The following stages may be useful:
Example 1: Protecting Rainforests ^ What three goals should you accomplish during the introduction of a presentation?Common theory says that there are 5 goals you should aim to accomplish in the introduction of your speech: get the audience's attention, show the value and relevance of your ideas, establish your credibility, state your main idea, and provide a verbal map of the presentation.
Which of the following presentation structures allow the presenter the option to move between topics and level of detail in no particular order?Non-linear presentations allow you to navigate through material without having to follow a strict order. They give presenters the ability to jump over slides, depending on what information is most relevant in a certain situation.
Which of the following should be the first step in planning a presentation?Choosing a topic is the most important step in the presentation planning process. If you do not choose a subject you are interested in and will enjoy, you will likely not do a good job.
What are the five functions of the speech introduction?The introduction gives the audience a reason to listen to the remainder of the speech. A good introduction needs to get the audience's attention, state the topic, make the topic relatable, establish credibility, and preview the main points.
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