Lecture Notes: Summarizing Techniques

Introduction to Summarizing

• Definition: Summarizing is providing a short statement of the important points.
  • Focuses on key information, not minor details.
  • Presents information in a concise and orderly manner.

Importance of Summarizing

• Helps in restating key information succinctly.
• Eliminates unnecessary details, focusing on the main points.

The Five Fingers in Five Words or Less Method

• Purpose: To create a summary in less than five minutes using a hand metaphor.
• Steps:
  1. Who: Identify who is in the story in five words or less.
  2. What: Describe what happened in the story in five words or less (most challenging step).
  3. When: Determine when it happened in five words or less (can often be done in three words).
  4. Where: Specify where it happened in five words or less (usually one to two words).
  5. Why: Explain why it happened in five words or less (use close to all five words).
  6. How: Describe how it happened in five words or less (likely to use all five words).

Creating a Summary

• Time Constraint: Use a five-minute timer to complete the summary.
• Write a summary in 1-3 sentences using the information gathered.
• Word Limit: Aim for a summary of no more than 20 words.
  • If exceeding 25 words, eliminate unnecessary details.

Conclusion

• Successfully creating a summary using the five fingers method means you have effectively condensed the core information.
• Study for vocabulary in preparation for the next class.