summary-4
.docxIdeas to Help You Get Started
The ability to convert a long text into a summary is an important language skill:
Read the whole text carefully to understand the main subject of the text.
Underline the important points in each paragraph. Highlight the central idea of the original text. Try to use the central idea at the beginning of the summary so that it tells the readers about the idea of the passage.
You may use some keywords from the original text but the summary should be in your own words.
You should avoid using your own thoughts and opinion.
Try to replace long sentences with short ones.
Prepare the short extract that contains only the central idea and supporting details.
Your summary will definitely be shorter than the original text - one third of its original size.
VOCABULARY
The text/article is headlined…
The title of the text/article is...
The author of the text/article is…
The central idea of the text is... (The main idea of the text is... the article is devoted to...)
The purpose of the text is to give the reader some information on...
The aim of the text is to provide a reader with some material on...
The article is concerned with …
The text deals with…
The subject of the article is…
At the beginning of the article the author describes…
The article touches upon the problems of...
According to the text/article...
The author stresses...
You should start your summary with:
The article/text under the headline … published in … deals with/is devoted to/is about
You can use the following linking phrases in the body of the summary:
Attention is drawn to the fact that…
In the opinion of the author it is…
The author points out…
The author goes on to say…
The article discusses…
The author of the article takes a critical view of…
The author makes it clear that…
The author expresses the view that…
In the author’s opinion/view…
You can use the following phrases to finish your summary:
In conclusion the author suggests that…
The author comes to the conclusion that…
The author draws the following conclusion that…
The following linkers will also help you to structure your ideas when writing summaries, reproductions, essays etc.
In addition (to)
Besides
Also
Moreover
Furthermore
Above all
Not only,…but also
What is more
Another aspect/issue/problem is
The House of Lords
The House of Lords is the second chamber of the UK Parliament. It is independent from, and complements the work of, the elected House of Commons. The Lords shares the task of making and shaping laws and checking and challenging the work of the government.
Currently, there are about 800 members who are eligible to take part in the work of the House of Lords. The majority are life peers. Many members of the House of Lords have a political background, some don’t. They represent a wide range of professions. Members of the House of Lords are appointed by the Queen on the advice of the Prime Minister.
The Lords has three main roles - making laws, in-depth consideration of public policy and holding government to account. Members spend more than half their time in the House considering bills (draft laws). All bills have to be considered by both Houses of Parliament before they can become law. During several stages, members examine each bill, line-by-line, before it becomes an Act of Parliament. Many of these bills affect our everyday lives, covering areas such as welfare, health and education.
Apart from making laws, members use their extensive individual experience to investigate public policy. Much of this work is done in select committees - small groups appointed to consider specific policy areas. In the 2016-17 session, House of Lords select committees produced 41 reports on subjects including the Brexit process with six Brexit reports in six days, the 'Great Repeal Bill' and delegated powers, children and the internet and autonomous vehicles. Many select committee meetings involve questioning expert witnesses working in the field which is the subject of the inquiry. These meetings are open to the public.
Finally, the House of Lords scrutinizes the work of the government during question time and debates in the chamber, where government ministers must respond. In the 2016-17 session, members held the government to account with 7,380 oral and written questions and 154 debates on topical issues and public policy ranging from the role of libraries and independent bookshops to the impact of Brexit on the NHS and social care. The public is welcome to visit and sit in the galleries overlooking the chamber during business.
SUMMARY
The text is devoted to the House of Lords, the second chamber of the British Parliament. The purpose of the text is to give the reader some information on its composition and functions. At the beginning of the text the author tells us about the members of the House of Lords. It consists of 800 members most of which are life peers appointed by the Queen. According to the text the Lords performs three main functions. It considers draft laws, checks the work of the government and investigates public policy. The meetings of the House of Lords are open.