Tutorial 6: Getting started with Referencing
Completion requirements
Go through the activity to the end
In this Tutorial you will consider:
- What referencing is and why it is important
- The difference between quotations, paraphrases and summaries
- An introduction to different referencing systems used at Morling
More about Summarising
More about Summarising
What is a summary?
A summary is an overview of a text. The main idea is given, but details, examples and formalities are left out. Used with longer texts, the main aim of summarising is to reduce or condense a text to its most important ideas. Summarising is a useful skill for making notes from readings and in lectures, writing an abstract/synopsis and incorporating material in assignments.
How to summarise
- The amount of detail you include in a summary will vary according to the length of the original text, how much information you need and how selective you are:
- Start by reading a short text and highlighting the main points as you read.
- Reread the text and make notes of the main points, leaving out examples, evidence etc.
- Without the text, rewrite your notes in your own words; restate the main idea at the beginning plus all major points.
When to summarise
- Summarise long sections of work, like a long paragraph, page or chapter.
- To outline the main points of someone else's work in your own words, without the details or examples.
- To include an author's ideas using fewer words than the original text.
- To briefly give examples of several differing points of view on a topic.
- To support claims in, or provide evidence for, your writing.
More information
Summarising authors from UNE (note this uses APA referencing)
Activity: Practice Summarising
Use page 24
(Click on link to download a PDF of the page)
Write two sentences that summarises the main idea of the text.