Summarising Oral Information

Section 1What oral information is

Oral information is information you hear instead of read. It may come from a speech, announcement, interview, class presentation, discussion, or set of instructions. The thing to remember is that you cannot reread spoken information the same way, so active listening matters.

Section 2Listen for the main message

Before writing a summary, decide what the speaker is mainly saying. Listen for repeated ideas, the opening point, the closing point, and words the speaker stresses. Here's the trick: the main message is usually bigger than one example or one funny line.

Section 3Track key points

Key points are the important ideas that support the main message. Speakers often mark them with phrases like firstly, another reason, the main issue is, in short, or finally. Watch out: stories and jokes may be memorable, but they may only support a larger point.

Section 4Use short notes

When listening, write short notes instead of full sentences. Use abbreviations, arrows, numbers, and keywords to capture the speaker's ideas quickly. In plain words, do not try to write a transcript; catch the meaning.

Section 5Notice purpose and tone

A speaker may aim to inform, warn, advise, explain, persuade, or report. Tone also matters because it helps show the speaker's attitude. Easy to mix up - summarising tone does not mean judging the speaker; it means explaining how the speaker presents the message.

Section 6Write the summary

After listening, turn your notes into clear sentences. Include the main message, the key points, and any important action required. Leave out repetition, side comments, greetings, jokes, and minor examples unless they are central to the meaning.