Summaries

A summary should

• make the overall meaning of the original clearer

• provide details that the original left out

• give the main points of the original

• critique and analyze the original

When you write a summary,

• try to use words and phrases that do not appear in the original

• change information as necessary to better suit your topic

• copy words from the original to keep the meaning the same

What can help you rephrase an original text using your own words?

• copy statistics from the original and provide appropriate citations

• replace words with synonyms and change sentence structures

• provide new examples to suppose your topic and add adjectives

Compared to the original text, a summary should be

• not as long

• longer

• the same length

Choose the sentence that does not change the meaning of this text:

"Laws dealing with Internet privacy vary in countries around the world"

• Internet privacy laws are different in every state

• Internet privacy laws differ from one country to another

• People worldwide have different concerns regarding Internet privacy

Choose the sentence that does not change the meaning of this text:

"Many teenagers do not consider privacy issues when they use the internet"

• Teens are more likely than adults to post pictures online

• Many teens do not know the laws to protect personal privacy online

• Teens tend to use the Internet without thinking about personal privacy

Choose the best summary for this text:

"The Canadian government passed an act that controls the way companies can collect, use, and distribute personal information"

• Canada passed an act to fund the collection, use, and distribution of personal data

• Canada passed a widely supported law that prevents organizations from using personal data

• Canada passed an act that regulates how personal data can be gathered, used, and shared online

Choose the best summary for this text:

"Germany has been one of the learning countries in the world in terms of Internet privacy issues"

• Germany has provided clear guidance to its citizens about online privacy issues.

• Regarding Internet privacy issues, Germany has been an important global leader.

• In terms of Internet privacy issues, Germany has been one of the leading countries in the world.