Notes on Abstracting

1. Abstracting is NOT a mere translation! It's a combination of summarizing the main ideas of the article and speculating on the topic, problem or any related issue.
2. It's good to start abstracting from the introduction to the problem. Say some words on the problem/ topic in general – evaluate how crucial, important, up-to-date it is.
3. State the title, the author and the source of the article if known (e.g. "I'm going to present the article under the title... written by.... and published in..."
4. Summarize the main idea(s) of the article. As it is the abstraction you should always refer to the author's opinion. This can be done with the help of introductory phrases such as: "The author states..., points out... speculates... brings to discussion... focuses on....etc.", "According to the author's viewpoint/ opinion/ position... etc." and some other typical phrases I'm sure you're aware of.
5. Use different cohesive devices to specify where you are: "At the beginning..., the author proceeds to..., at the end/ in the conclusion... first of all..., secondly..., furthermore, moreover..., however..., on the one/other hand..., etc." Don't neglect this issue as it shows how logical, coherent you are.
6. It's not necessary to be linear in summarizing the article, you may change the flow of the ideas or events, if it seems more logical or vivid to you.
7. Avoid unnecessary details and examples – one may be enough. Cut out not essential facts and try to be as concise as possible.
8. The register of summarizing and abstracting on the whole should be moderate, unemotional, nuetral to formal, no matter how informal the original article may be. Avoid rhetoric quesions and very emotional language. But you may mentions the peculiarities of the author's style.
9. Before going to speculating on the problems/ ideas of the article you should round up the summary, saying something like "On the whole/ In the conclusion/ Finishing the article....etc. the author..."
10. In " your " part you may give your personal apprehension, evaluation of the problem, some additional information, general overview and so on. Don't be literal – if you can't say much/ anything about particular topic/problem discussed in the article, try to find any related issues, go further, show your background knowledge, don't be afraid of generalization.
11. "Your" part should be rather extended, you can't say "I (don't) agree with the author, this is a really (un)important issue". You should elaborate, develop ideas, comment. You should strive to reach the ration 50:50 (the summary: your talk).
12. Your should also be coherent and use various cohesive devices in your part of a talk. It's very important to finish your talk using some marking phrases " To sum everything up..., in the conclusion... etc."
13. Mind that you should use advanced vocabulary and structures as well as topical vocabulary.
14. Preparing try not to write everything down. Make a plan, some useful/ key exressions and so on. You won't be allowed to read!

Good luck!

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