Strategies In Summarizing Materials

Strategies in Summarizing materials

Step one -Anticipation

Anticipate questions that are likely to be on the test. Use previous tests andyour class notes as your basic source material for the following three steps:

•Ask yourself, "What are the CONCEPTS and RELATIONSHIPS involved in the material you are reviewing?" Review your notes,OMITTING DETAIL, for the time being. Review major headings and chapter summaries in your textbook(s). •Boil down your material to a tight outline form. •Fit the necessary details into the concepts.

Step two - Condensation Organize all of your material into its principal groups. Identify the major concepts, the main subordinate concepts under each, and the critical details. Now, summarize the material in your own words and you have a condensed overview of it that will help you respond to specific conceptual (essay) questions.

Step three - Practice
Some students profit by making up sample questions and then practicing answers. If you have a standard textbook, try two or three large questions. You may find it more to your liking to practice outlining answers to such practice questions. It must be mentioned that mastery of a course's special vocabulary is essential groundwork. You will frequently be required to manipulate terminology. Getting this done is like tying your shoes before running a foot race.. Failure to do it will most likely weaken your performance.

Source:http://www.usu.edu/arc/idea_sheets/pdf/essay_exam_prep.pdf.