which kinds of information should be excluded in a summary of text?

1 answer

When creating a summary of a text, it is essential to exclude excessive details, tangential information, and data that is not directly relevant to the main points or central theme of the text. Some specific types of information that should be excluded in a summary include:

1. Irrelevant background information: Exclude any information that does not contribute to the key understanding or main message of the text.
2. Repetition or redundant statements: Exclude repetitive information or redundant statements that do not offer any new insights or expand the understanding of the topic.
3. Excessive examples or illustrations: Exclude excessive examples or illustrations if they do not significantly enhance the summary or if the focus is on the broader concept rather than specific cases.
4. Non-essential details: Exclude specific details and facts that are not vital to grasping the main ideas or concepts conveyed in the text.
5. Personal opinions or biases: Exclude any personal opinions or biased perspectives expressed by the author, as summaries should provide an objective representation of the text.
6. Supporting evidence: Exclude detailed evidence, statistics, or research findings unless they are crucial to understanding the central ideas of the text.
7. Complex jargon or technical terms: Exclude highly technical or specialized terms unless they are necessary for understanding the main points. Summaries should use clear and concise language.
8. Lengthy quotations: Exclude lengthy quotations from the original text unless they are indispensable to conveying the author's main argument or viewpoint.

Remember, the purpose of a summary is to condense the text into its essential points, making it more concise and readable while capturing the core message and supporting ideas.