Activity 1
Take decision-ready notes
Read a short update and create four notes: main point, evidence, action, and open question.
Hint: Use short phrases, but do not remove meaning-critical conditions.
Reading & Comprehension
Summarising and Note-Taking
Turn reading into concise notes and summaries that preserve meaning and support later action.
Intermediate4 min read2 guided activities
Before you begin
What you will understand
- Capture main ideas and essential evidence.
- Write accurate notes in your own words.
- Match the summary length to audience and purpose.
01
Learning stage
Concept Explanation
Notes are useful when they help you retrieve, decide, or act. Record the main point first, then the few details that support it: action, owner, deadline, evidence, risk, or question. Use your own words so you process meaning rather than copy text mechanically.
A summary is a new, shorter version of a text. It preserves the central message, key evidence, and necessary limitations. A good summary is selective: its length and detail should fit the reader's need.
- Main point: the central message.
- Evidence: facts that change the conclusion.
- Action note: owner, deadline, decision, or next step.
- Question: uncertainty to verify later.
02
Learning stage
Examples & Patterns
The notes retain the information needed to act, not every sentence in the source.
From paragraph to notesEnglish
Source: Customer onboarding completion improved after the reminder email was simplified. The experiment ran for two weeks with new users in three markets.
Notes:
• Main finding: simpler reminder email improved completion.
• Evidence: two-week experiment; new users; three markets.
• Question: did support contacts change?03
Learning stage
Real-World Usage
Connect the reading skill to learning, work, and everyday decisions.
- Prepare for a meeting from a long brief.
- Share a project update with someone who did not read the source.
- Study an article, guide, or course lesson.
04
Learning stage
Common Mistakes
Notice habits that weaken understanding, accuracy, or judgment.
- Copying whole sentences without processing meaning.
- Recording facts but losing the central point.
- Leaving out a limitation that changes interpretation.
05
Learning stage
Practice Exercises
Use short, deliberate practice to turn reading strategies into habits.
Activity 2
Write two summary lengths
Summarize one article in 25 words for a chat message and 80 words for a teammate.
Hint: The central message should remain the same at both lengths.
06
Learning stage
Knowledge Check
Answer before revealing the explanation.
QUESTION 1
What should determine the length of a summary?
- A.The reader's purpose and need
- B.The number of paragraphs only
- C.Your handwriting
- D.The title length
Reveal answer
The reader's purpose and need
A decision-maker and a learner may need different amounts of detail.
QUESTION 2
Why use your own words in notes?
- A.It helps you process and retrieve the meaning
- B.It makes the source wrong
- C.It removes all evidence
- D.It avoids reading
Reveal answer
It helps you process and retrieve the meaning
Paraphrasing requires you to identify what the text actually says.
07
Learning stage
Reading Application
Apply the strategy to a realistic reading and communication situation.
How would you summarize a report for a manager?
Short answer: Lead with the conclusion and add only evidence, risk, and action relevant to their decision.
Explore the detailed answer
I would write, “The report recommends a phased rollout because the pilot improved completion without higher support demand. The remaining risk is regional consent review. We need approval by Thursday to keep the planned launch date.”
Possible follow-ups
- • Which source detail could be omitted?
- • Which uncertainty must remain?
08
Learning stage
Key Takeaways
Useful notes and summaries preserve the main point and decision-relevant detail while removing repetition and background.
- Capture main point, evidence, action, and question.
- Use your own words accurately.
- Adapt length and detail to the audience.