We usually make summaries to study for a test or an exam. The purpose is to condense learning material so it can be readily assimilated, thereby reducing study time.
When making summaries, the following factors should always be kept in mind:
1. The teacher, when marking the examination paper, will look at it as an expert on the subject. They want to see whether the way the learner has answered the questions will convince the teacher that the learner has succeeded in acquiring adequate knowledge of the subject matter.
2. The teacher will certainly not be willing to go on a hunting expedition to find evidence that the learner knows enough about the subject matter. The teacher will only mark what they see in front of them. The learner should, therefore, take pains to present information in a logical and orderly fashion so that the teacher will be able to follow their argument.
A common mistake many learners make is that they think summaries should consist of only one or two words. In reality, summaries should be done in two phases:
1. A provisional summary from which the learner will study. Until the learner has done sufficient repetition, the summary should contain enough information so that the learner can use it to study. This summary must, therefore, consist of keywords from every important sentence.
2. The final summary should be used for revision purposes and consist of only the most important keywords. By this time, the learner should have assimilated the subject matter to such an extent that, when they see the keywords, they can expand on them. The learner will use these keywords during the exam or test to help them organise their thoughts.
When making summaries, it is important to first read through the whole chapter to gain a complete picture of the subject matter presented in the chapter. Only after that should one start making summaries.
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* What needs to be memorised, understood and practised.
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* Techniques to quickly understand content.
* Making summaries.
* Preparing for exams.
* Speed reading.
* How to plan and write essays and speeches.
* Unprepared speeches.
