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CHAPTER 15. Summaries
True/False Questions
1. Summaries use a nontechnical style.
2.
details.
3.
Writing summaries requires distinguishing between essential and superfluous
Summaries are an opportunity for the writer to put his or her own emphasis
on particular aspects of the original material.
4. Informative abstracts are one- or two-sentence descriptions of what a
document contains.
5.
report. Closing summaries appear just after the “Recommendations” section of a
6. Formal reports always include informative abstracts or executive summaries.
7. Executive summaries are more persuasive than descriptive summaries.
8. A summary should include additional details and examples not found in the
original document but which support the main points of the original.
9. Summaries may have ethical pitfalls.
10. Writing summaries is not a straightforward process.
Fill in the Blank Questions
11. A
document.
12.
helps readers review the major findings presented in a
abstracts state what a document covers, whereas
abstracts summarize a document.
Multiple-choice Questions
13. Effective summaries
(a) use the same wording as the original.
(b) let readers know what to expect in the full document.
(c) follow the same logical sequence as the original.
(d) use the same wording as the original and follow the same logical sequence as the
original.
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(e) All of these answers are correct.
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14. Descriptive abstracts
(a) are more extensive than informative abstracts.
(b) appear right after the table of contents in a report.
(c) describe in detail what the document contains.
(d) are usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long.
(e) help people decide whether to read the entire report.
15. The step-by-step process for writing a summary includes
(a) taking notes and composting the summary on the first reading of the document.
(b) highlighting key information to extract on the second reading.
(c) cutting and pasting information and keeping that original language.
(d) taking notes and composting the summary on the first reading of the document, as
well as highlighting key information to extract on the second reading.
(e) All of these make up the process.
16. Which of the following would not be a good strategy for writing a summary?
(a) including background details
(b) compressing a list of examples
(c) omitting technical details
(d) including key statistics
(e) avoiding repetition
17. Executive summaries are
(a) aimed at technical audiences.
(b) not persuasive.
(c) similar to informative abstracts in some regards.
(d) objective and do not suggest actions to take.
(e) not persuasive and objective, and do not suggest actions to take.
18. Which of the following characteristics is least important in a summary?
(a) accuracy
(b) technical style
(c) conciseness
(d) completeness
(e) All of these answers are correct.
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19. Effective summaries will
(a) help readers decide whether to read the entire document or parts of it.
(b) give readers a framework for understanding the document.
(c) offer a subjective view of the document’s contents.
(d) help readers decide whether to read the entire document or parts of it, and give
readers a framework for understanding the document.
(e) help readers decide whether to read the entire document or parts of it, and offer a
subjective view of the document’s contents.
20. Informative abstracts
(a) identify the issue that prompted the document.
(b) describe research methods used.
(c) offer the main findings.
(d) avoid revealing conclusions.
(e) identify the issue that prompted the document, describe research methods used, and
offer the main findings.
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CHAPTER 15 ANSWER KEY