1. Professional Communication Series By Soma D. Jurgensen School of Business Chair Rasmussen College

2. 1. Explain why summarizing is a necessary professional skill. 2. Identify elements in an effective summary. 3. Plan and complete an effective summary.

3.  Businesses generate large quantities of information  The internet has precipitated an information boom  Organizations expect brief, clear writing  Need to summarize grows – fewer people can* Source: Business Communication Quarterly, Volume 66, Number 4, December 2003, pages 36-54 @2003 by the Association for Business Communication

4. 1. Uses writer’s words 2. Written concisely, specifically, and clearly 3. Briefly articulates main idea 4. Emphasizes key points supporting main idea 5. Represents author’s view (not summarizer’s) 6. Revised and proofread

5. 1. Read the article/material to find main idea 2. Underline the one-two sentences that convey that idea. 3. Write the idea in your own words (best to cover up what you underlined) Ask yourself, “what is the one most important idea the author wants you to know and remember?”

6. 4. Return to material to identify 3-4 key points, evidence, or examples that support the one main idea and underline 5. Under your explanation of the main point, in your own words, write down bullet points of your supporting evidence/key points ▪ Full thoughts over full sentences 6. Read over your work for any areas that may need background information (answers to who, what, when, where, why, how) to give context

7. 7. In your own words convey any background information necessary to support the main point only. 8. Write your summary  Using your notes (not the source material) write the summary expressing the main point, background information, and supporting details.  Proofread to ensure you are expressing the author’s original intent.  Revise for clarity, specificity, and to make sure any words/sentences unnecessary to support your main point are removed.  Proofread for grammar and mechanics

8.  Your words  Author’s most important idea  Key points and context  Spirit of author’s intent  Concise, specific, clear  Proofread

9.  Simple, not easy  Critical skill  Bottom line