Importance of Knowing How to Summarize Oral Information
In today’s world we are inundated with too much information, so knowing how to effectively summarize information is an important skill to acquire.
When we summarize, we condense the original source material, capture its main point, and maintain the original meaning.
In the workplace, we summarize when we
- record meeting notes
- write executive summaries
- condense content in emails
- give presentations
How to Summarize Oral Information
It may be helpful to separate the process for summarizing into two sections: understanding or comprehending the original material and expressing the material in your unique way.
Part One: Understanding the Discussion
- Listen to the passage that you need to summarize. You will need to listen at least three times.
- Locate the main idea of the discussion.
- Identify the parts of the discussion that support the main idea.
Part Two: Reframing the Information
Use paraphrasing techniques to ensure that the summary is in your own words.
- Rephrase the main point into your own words.
- Rephrase the key supporting details in your own words.
- Edit your summary.
While the strategies for isolating pertinent information are the same for both oral and written information, a few key differences exist.
Exercises
To practice your listening skill and note-taking skill, listen to the discussion “Is Ontario Still a Major Manufacturing Powerhouse?” in the link below. As you listen, use the summarizing strategies indicated above to capture the main point. Make point-form notes about the episode. On the following pages, you will see how the information gleaned from the episode can be converted into an effective presentation.
References
Paikin, S. (Host). (2020, December 3). Is Ontario still a major manufacturing powerhouse? In H. Lowman (Producer), The Agenda with Steve Paikin. TVO Today. https://www.tvo.org/video/is-ontario-still-a-major-manufacturing-powerhouse