英語表現演習3 (金 2限): Summary writing & notes・要約の書いて・付記

Hello!

How are you? Above are the board notes for our class today on 6/28. 

As I mentioned in class today, here are some notes for all of you about summary writing. In addition to writing an original outline, you will also write a summary about what your presentation topic is. 

If you would like a quick reminder about the final presentation topic without searching around for last week's blogpost, click here. 

Special note:
Please also remember that we have two (2) dates to present - 7/12 and 7/19 - and think about which date you want to present on. Please remember that you have a choice - but that you must be committed to the date you choose!

About summaries

A good summary has a short background about the topic, with a tighter focus towards the end of the background. Then it goes into the focus of the topic itself, sometimes with an additional comment about something unique, or else of note about it. 

Finally, it should show in a statement what the presentation will be about.

Examples of presentation summaries

Here are two (2) examples of presentation summaries. Look at these and notice the idea development and language used in them.

Here is one example of a good presentation summary:

Portable audio technology is now common, but the history of this technology in the form we know is not so long. The Walkman, which Sony introduced in 1979, created the market for portable stereo audio technology. This presentation shall look at the development of the Walkman, and some unique aspects of the engineering that went into it, and where the technology of the digital version now is.

So let’s break this one down into its parts.

Background to the topic:

Portable audio technology is now common, but the history of this technology in the form we know is not so long.

Focus on the topic:

The Walkman, which Sony introduced in 1979, created the market for portable stereo audio technology.

Statement on what the presentation will be about:

This presentation shall look at the development of the Walkman, and some unique aspects of the engineering that went into it, and where the technology of the digital version now is.

Each of these moves are then brought together to make the summary.

Now here is another example. This is a highly technical one - perhaps very advanced for all of you. But if you are interested in highly technical topics, here is a model for you. So take a look at this one:

Waymo took over Google’s Self-Driving Car research in 2016. While it has further developed the work in this area from Google, self-driving cars still have a number of technical issues, particularly with route programming, that make their reliability uncertain. This presentation focuses on the driving situations where programming problems occur, and what issues Waymo needs to solve to effectively market fully reliable self-driving cars.

Let’s break this one down into its parts.

Background to the topic:

Waymo took over Google’s Self-Driving Car research in 2016. While it has further developed the work in this area from Google, …

Focus on the topic:

…self-driving cars still have a number of technical issues, particularly with route programming, that make their reliability uncertain. 

Focus on what the presentation will be about:
This presentation focuses on the driving situations where programming problems occur, and what issues Waymo needs to solve to effectively market fully reliable self-driving cars.

Once again - if you wish to go into big technical details, an example like this one - or one perhaps involving robotics, or something that has lots of technical detail - would be good for you.

I'm very sorry that out time has become so tight! But I hope this helps you with summary writing. 

See you next week! Don't forget to bring a computer or tablet if you have one - if you don't - bring your smartphone and a notebook! 

See you then!

Image: Personal photograph. All rights reserved.