(Entertainment4Ever, 2022)
Introduction
Writing a summary assignment might seem like a straightforward task—read an article, condense the information, and present it concisely. However, as I worked through summarizing Victoria Gill’s 2020 article “Have rogue orcas really been attacking boats in the Atlantic?”, I quickly realized that summarization is an art that requires critical thinking, precision, and discipline.
This blog post reflects on my learning experience, the challenges I faced, and the lessons I took away from the process.
Understanding the Assignment
For the TW5211: Principles of Professional and Technical Communication and Information Design module, I was required to create two types of summaries:
📌 A Descriptive Summary (50 words) – A brief overview of the article’s subject matter.
📌 An Informative Summary (200 words) – A more detailed synthesis of key ideas and arguments.
The article examined a series of unusual orca interactions off the coasts of Spain and Portugal, exploring theories behind their behaviour. Scientists debated whether these encounters were a result of play, revenge, or environmental adaptation.
At first glance, summarizing an article seemed easy. However, the process challenged my ability to be concise, remain objective, and extract key insights efficiently.
Challenges Faced in the Assignment
1. Distilling Key Information Without Losing Meaning
One of the biggest difficulties was identifying the most critical information while keeping the summaries concise and meaningful.
🔹 The challenge:
The article provided rich details about orca behaviour, environmental concerns, and scientific debates. Deciding what to include and what to omit was not easy.
🔹 How I addressed it:
I used annotating and note-taking strategies to highlight the main themes and essential facts. I also identified repetitive or less relevant details that could be excluded without losing meaning.
2. Adhering to Word Limits
Precision in technical writing is crucial—every word must add value.
🔹 The challenge:
The descriptive summary had a strict 50-word limit, and the informative summary had only 200 words. Given the article’s complexity, I initially exceeded the word count and had to refine my writing.
🔹 How I addressed it:
- Eliminated unnecessary adjectives and reworded complex phrases.
- Used bullet points and structured sentences to make the content more efficient.
- Replaced long phrases with precise terminology (e.g., “scientists speculate” instead of “some researchers have begun to suggest”).
This helped me streamline information while maintaining clarity.
3. Maintaining an Objective Tone
Summaries must be neutral and fact-based—no personal opinions or interpretations.
🔹 The challenge:
The article’s media portrayal of orcas often used emotional language (e.g., “revenge attacks,” “playing,” “dangerous behaviour”). It was tempting to adopt this dramatic framing.
🔹 How I addressed it:
- Focused on scientific evidence rather than sensationalized terms.
- Used neutral, professional wording (e.g., “marine scientists are investigating behavioural shifts” rather than “killer whales are orchestrating revenge plans”).
- Avoided unverified assumptions and stuck to facts presented in the article.
This helped ensure my summary remained balanced and credible.
4. Avoiding Plagiarism and Over-Reliance on Direct Quotes
A summary should rephrase ideas in the writer’s own words, not simply copy sentences.
🔹 The challenge:
The article contained well-structured sentences that were difficult to paraphrase without losing clarity.
🔹 How I addressed it:
- Used synonyms and alternative sentence structures.
- Converted long explanations into short, digestible statements.
- Cross-checked my work to ensure no phrases were directly lifted.
This strengthened my paraphrasing skills and reinforced the importance of original expression in academic writing.
Lessons Learned from the Assignment
This assignment was a valuable learning experience that taught me key skills for technical communication and information design:
✔ Summarization requires critical thinking – It’s not just about shortening content; it’s about understanding and extracting key points.
✔ Word economy matters – Every word should add value; conciseness is a skill that improves clarity.
✔ Objectivity is crucial – Avoiding bias and emotion ensures that a summary remains fact-based and professional.
✔ Paraphrasing is an essential skill – Being able to rewrite content in your own words without losing meaning is a fundamental part of academic and professional writing.
Final Thoughts: Why This Assignment Mattered
At first, I underestimated how challenging a summary assignment could be. However, through this process, I developed:
🔹 A stronger ability to analyse information critically.
🔹 Greater precision in my writing.
🔹 A deeper appreciation for the balance between detail and brevity.
This assignment reinforced that technical communication is not just about writing—it’s about clarity, structure, and purpose.
Would I do anything differently next time?
Yes! Next time, I would:
✅ Plan my summaries earlier to allow more time for refinement.
✅ Experiment with different structuring techniques to enhance efficiency.
✅ Seek peer feedback before submission for fresh perspectives.
Overall, this task has enhanced my writing skills and prepared me for more advanced assignments in my studies.
References
Gill, V. (2020). Have rogue orcas really been attacking boats in the Atlantic?. [Online]. BBC.com. Last Updated: November 2020. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/extra/buqvasp1rr/orcas-spain-portugal [Accessed 01 November 2023].
Entertainment4Ever (2022) Whale Jumping Out Of Water From Nowhere. 28 June. Available at: https://youtu.be/lsqPx_F6T60 (Accessed: 11 March 2025).
What’s Your Experience with Summarization?
Have you ever struggled with summarizing complex information while keeping it concise and engaging?
Let’s discuss! Drop your thoughts in the comments below. ⬇️
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