怎样写英文摘要

Writing Center Handouts

Writing Summaries

? The goal of writing a summary of an article, a chapter, or a book is to offer as

accurately as possible the full sense of the original, but in a more condensed form. A summary restates the author’s main point, purpose, intent, and supporting details i n your own words.

?The process of summarizing enables you to better grasp the original, and the

result shows the reader that you understand it as well. In addition, the knowledge gained allows you to better analyze and critique the original.? First, try to find the main idea in the reading; it’s usually in the first

paragraph. Next, skim through the article, glancing at any headings and graphics. Then, read the conclusion. The intent here is both to give yourself a review of the work and t o effectively engage yourself with it.

? Now go back and read the original text carefully, jotting down notes on or

highlighting the important points. Write the central idea and the author’s reasons (purpose and intent) for holding this viewpoint. Note the supporting elements the author uses to explain or back up her/his main information or claim.

? Make an outline that includes the main idea and the supporting details.

Arrange your information in a logical order, for example, most to least

important or chronological. Your order need not be the same as that in the original, but keep related suppo rting points together. The way you organize the outline may serve as a model for how you divide and write the essay.? Write the summary, making sure to state the author’s name in the first

sentence. Present the main idea, followed by the supporting points. The remainder of your summary should focus on how the author supports, defines, and/or illustrates that main ide a. Remember, unless otherwise stated by your instructor, a summary should contain only the author’s views, so try to be as objective as possible.

? As you revise and edit your summary, compare it to the original and ask

yourself questions such as: Have I rephrased the author’s words without changing their meaning? Have I restated the main idea and the supporting points accurately and in my own words?

? If you are asked to write a critical summary or to include a critique, you may

want to ask yourself questions such as: Does the author succeed? How and

why or why not? What are the strengths, weaknesses? Why? What did the author do well? Not well? Why?

摘要（summary）是一种对原始文献（或文章）的基本内容进行浓缩的语义连贯的短文。它以迅速掌握原文内容梗概为目的，不加主观评论和解释，但必须简明、确切地表述原文的重要内容。

摘要写作（summary writing）是一种控制性的作文形式，它能使学生通过阅读原文，吸收原文的文章结构与语言方面的长处，写出内容一致、结构近似、语言简洁的短文。另外，对培养学生善于抓住文章重点的能力也有很大帮助，有利于他们在实际写作中避免面面俱到，事无巨细，一一罗列的不良倾向。这种写作既要准确理解原文，又要能综合概括；既能培养欣赏能力，又能训练书面表达能力。因此，用英文写摘要，对学习英语写作的学生来说，不失为一种切合实际的方法。下面谈谈如何写好英文摘要。

1）细读原文。首先要仔细阅读全篇作品，然后对作品进行整体分析，掌握原文总的意思和结构，明确全文的主题（the main theme）和各段的段落大意（the main idea）。

2）弄清要求。搞清楚是写全文概要，还是写某一部分的概要，或者就某些问题写出要点。

3）列出原文要点。分析原文的内容和结构，将内容分项扼要表述并注意在结构上的顺序。在此基础上选出与文章主题密切相关的部分。

4）草拟写作提纲并写出初稿。将挑选出的要点作为框架草拟详细的提纲，以所列的提纲为依据写出摘要的初稿。在写作时要特别注意下面几点：

（1）摘要应包括原文中的主要事实（main facts）；略去不必要的细节（unnecessary details）。

（2）安排好篇幅的比例。摘要应同原文保持协调，即用较多的文字写重要内容，用较少的文字写次要内容。

（3）注意段落的连贯和句子的衔接。要用适当的转折词语贯通全文，切忌只简单地写出一些互不相干的句子。

（4）尽可能用自己的话来写，但不排斥用原文的某些词句。

（5）计算词数，看是否符合规定的词数要求