1.Quick reference
A Zusammenfassung reduces a source text to its essential claims and relations.
source text
→ identify guiding question
→ mark main claims
→ reduce details
→ reorganise logically
→ formulate in your own words
→ keep source and stance visible
→ shorten and check
Reference principle: A good summary is not merely shorter than the original. It is more selective, more structured, and independently phrased without changing meaning.
2.1. What a summary is
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung gibt die wesentlichen Inhalte eines Ausgangstextes knapp und sachlich wieder.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
3.2. Communicative goal
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Das Ziel ist Verdichtung, nicht Bewertung.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
4.3. Summary vs. retelling
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Eine Zusammenfassung übernimmt nicht jede Einzelheit des Originals.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
5.4. Summary vs. commentary
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Eigene Bewertung gehört nicht in die neutrale Zusammenfassung.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
6.5. Summary vs. statement of position
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung berichtet; die Stellungnahme positioniert sich.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
7.6. Summary vs. Inhaltsangabe
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Je nach Kontext überschneiden sich die Begriffe; die konkrete Aufgabe entscheidet über Umfang und Schwerpunkt.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
8.7. Summary vs. excerpt
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Ein Exzerpt kann selektiver und notizartiger sein; eine Zusammenfassung ist ein geschlossener Text.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
9.8. Summary vs. abstract
A summary is an independent, condensed text based on a source. It reduces length while preserving the core message, logical relations, and important qualifications.
Reference formulation:
Ein wissenschaftliches Abstract folgt oft zusätzlichen Fachkonventionen.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
10.9. Identifying the core message
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Der Text vertritt im Kern die Auffassung, dass ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
11.10. Selecting main information
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Zentral ist vor allem ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
12.11. Reducing detail
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Einzelbeispiele werden nur übernommen, wenn sie für das Verständnis notwendig sind.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
13.12. Handling examples functionally
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Das Beispiel veranschaulicht die zuvor genannte These.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
14.13. Merging repetitions
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Mehrere ähnliche Aussagen lassen sich zu einem Oberpunkt bündeln.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
15.14. Omitting secondary information
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Nebendetails sind für die Kernaussage nicht relevant.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
16.15. Information hierarchy
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
These → Hauptargument → Beleg → Detail
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
17.16. Determining the guiding question
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Welche Frage beantwortet der Ausgangstext?
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
18.17. Recognising text function
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Informiert der Text, erklärt er, argumentiert er oder bewertet er?
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
19.18. Preserving key terms
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Der Fachbegriff wird übernommen, wenn seine genaue Bedeutung wichtig ist.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
20.19. Controlling information loss
The central skill is selection: not everything important in the source is equally important for the summary. Text purpose, guiding question, and information hierarchy determine what remains.
Reference formulation:
Komprimieren bedeutet nicht, zentrale Einschränkungen zu entfernen.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
21.20. Macrostructure
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Einleitung → Hauptinhalt → abschließender Kerngedanke
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
22.21. Opening sentence
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Der Text „…“ von … behandelt die Frage, ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
23.22. Naming the source
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
In dem Artikel von ... geht es um ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
24.23. Naming the title
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Der Beitrag „…“ thematisiert ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
25.24. Naming the text type
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Der vorliegende Artikel untersucht ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
26.25. Naming the topic
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Im Mittelpunkt steht ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
27.26. Naming the question
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Der Text geht der Frage nach, ob ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
28.27. Structuring the body
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Zunächst ..., anschließend ..., schließlich ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
29.28. Chronological order
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Zuerst beschreibt der Autor ..., danach ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
30.29. Logical order
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Der Text beginnt mit ..., führt dann ... aus und kommt schließlich zu ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
31.30. Problem–cause–effect
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Das Problem wird zunächst beschrieben; anschließend werden Ursachen und Folgen erläutert.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
32.31. Claim–argument–consequence
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Auf die zentrale These folgen zwei Begründungen und eine Schlussfolgerung.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
33.32. Paragraph function
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Jeder Absatz sollte eine klar erkennbare Informationsfunktion haben.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
34.33. Closing section
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Abschließend hält der Text fest, dass ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
35.34. Avoiding an artificial conclusion
A summary needs a recognisable macrostructure. It does not have to mirror the source paragraph by paragraph, but it should represent its content logic accurately.
Reference formulation:
Wenn der Ausgangstext keinen Schluss formuliert, sollte keiner erfunden werden.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
36.35. Writing in your own words
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Statt einzelne Sätze zu kopieren, wird der Gedanke neu formuliert.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
37.36. Lexical paraphrasing
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Die Zahl nimmt zu. → Die Zahl steigt.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
38.37. Syntactic paraphrasing
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Weil die Kosten steigen, ... → Aufgrund steigender Kosten ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
39.38. Using nominalisation
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Weil die Bevölkerung altert, ... → Aufgrund der Alterung der Bevölkerung ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
40.39. Using verbalisation
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Die Durchführung der Untersuchung ... → Die Forschenden untersuchen ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
41.40. Using hypernyms
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Bus, Bahn und Tram → öffentliche Verkehrsmittel
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
42.41. Compressing lists
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Kosten, Zeit und Personal → mehrere Ressourcenfaktoren
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
43.42. Generalising examples
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Mehrere Städte werden als Beispiele für regionale Unterschiede zusammengefasst.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
44.43. Using synonyms carefully
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
Synonyme dürfen die Aussageintensität nicht verändern.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
45.44. Preserving modality
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
könnte darf nicht zu wird werden.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
46.45. Preserving negation
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
nicht ausgeschlossen darf nicht zu wahrscheinlich werden.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
47.46. Preserving quantifiers
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
einige darf nicht zu alle werden.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
48.47. Preserving degree
Paraphrasing means more than swapping words. Good compression changes syntax, groups details, and uses broader terms without distorting modality, negation, or scope.
Reference formulation:
deutlich höher ist nicht dasselbe wie etwas höher.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
49.48. Remaining neutral
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
Der Text argumentiert, dass ...; eine eigene Bewertung folgt nicht.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
50.49. Avoiding personal opinion
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
Ich finde ... gehört nicht in eine neutrale Zusammenfassung.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
51.50. Marking source evaluations
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
Der Autor bewertet die Entwicklung als problematisch.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
52.51. Avoiding intensification
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
kritisch darf nicht zu katastrophal gesteigert werden.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
53.52. Avoiding weakening
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
notwendig darf nicht zu möglicherweise sinnvoll abgeschwächt werden.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
54.53. Maintaining source distance
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
Nach Ansicht der Autorin ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
55.54. Separating claim and fact
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
Der Bericht behauptet, dass ... ist etwas anderes als Es ist so, dass ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
56.55. Keeping controversy visible
Neutrality does not mean removing every evaluative word. Evaluations in the source may need to be reported, but clearly as the source’s position.
Reference formulation:
Der Text stellt zwei gegensätzliche Positionen gegenüber.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
57.56. Indirect reporting
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
Der Autor erklärt, dass ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
58.57. Reporting verbs
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
beschreiben · erklären · betonen · behaupten · kritisieren · folgern
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
59.58. More precise than sagen
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
Die Autorin weist darauf hin, dass ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
60.59. Using behaupten carefully
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
behaupten kann Distanz oder Zweifel signalisieren.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
61.60. laut / zufolge
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
Der Studie zufolge ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
62.61. nach Angaben von
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
Nach Angaben des Instituts ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
63.62. Using Konjunktiv I where appropriate
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
Der Autor erklärt, die Lage sei kompliziert.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
64.63. Using dass-clauses as a neutral base
Reporting language shows whose claim is being presented. Precise verbs such as betonen, kritisieren, erläutern, and folgern carry more information than generic sagen.
Reference formulation:
Die Autorin betont, dass die Daten begrenzt sind.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
65.64. Cohesion instead of a sentence list
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung verbindet Gedanken logisch miteinander.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
66.65. Marking sequence
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
zunächst · anschließend · danach · schließlich
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
67.66. Marking addition
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
außerdem · darüber hinaus · zudem
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
68.67. Marking contrast
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
hingegen · dagegen · allerdings
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
69.68. Marking consequence
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
daher · deshalb · daraus folgt
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
70.69. Marking cause
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
weil · da · aufgrund
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
71.70. Maintaining reference
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
diese Entwicklung · dieser Ansatz · die genannte Ursache
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
72.71. Keeping pronouns clear
A summary is not a stack of isolated sentences. Connectors, lexical reference, and clear pronouns show how statements relate to one another.
Reference formulation:
Pronomen dürfen keine unklaren Bezüge erzeugen.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
73.72. Present tense as default
German summaries normally use the present tense. Other tenses are used when past or chronologically ordered events genuinely need to be represented.
Reference formulation:
Der Text beschreibt ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
74.73. Past tense where needed
German summaries normally use the present tense. Other tenses are used when past or chronologically ordered events genuinely need to be represented.
Reference formulation:
Für frühere Ereignisse kann ein Vergangenheitstempus nötig sein.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
75.74. Do not copy source tense blindly
German summaries normally use the present tense. Other tenses are used when past or chronologically ordered events genuinely need to be represented.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung orientiert sich an der zeitlichen Logik, nicht an jedem Tempuswechsel.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
76.75. Including numbers only when relevant
Numbers belong in a summary only when they are substantively or argumentatively relevant. Often the trend matters more than every individual figure.
Reference formulation:
Die Zahl wird genannt, wenn sie für die Kernaussage entscheidend ist.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
77.76. Rounding numbers
Numbers belong in a summary only when they are substantively or argumentatively relevant. Often the trend matters more than every individual figure.
Reference formulation:
rund 48 Prozent statt 47,8 Prozent, sofern die Genauigkeit nicht zentral ist.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
78.77. Percent vs. percentage points
Numbers belong in a summary only when they are substantively or argumentatively relevant. Often the trend matters more than every individual figure.
Reference formulation:
von 20 auf 25 Prozent = plus 5 Prozentpunkte.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
79.78. Trend instead of number list
Numbers belong in a summary only when they are substantively or argumentatively relevant. Often the trend matters more than every individual figure.
Reference formulation:
Statt vier Einzelwerte zu nennen, wird der insgesamt steigende Trend beschrieben.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
80.79. Making data source visible
Numbers belong in a summary only when they are substantively or argumentatively relevant. Often the trend matters more than every individual figure.
Reference formulation:
Nach Angaben der Studie ...
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
81.80. Preserving data uncertainty
Numbers belong in a summary only when they are substantively or argumentatively relevant. Often the trend matters more than every individual figure.
Reference formulation:
Schätzungen bleiben Schätzungen.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
82.81. Precision
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung verändert weder Reichweite noch Aussageintensität.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
83.82. Brevity
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Jeder Satz trägt eine wesentliche Information.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
84.83. Completeness
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Alle zentralen Aussagen sind enthalten.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
85.84. Neutrality
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Eigene Bewertungen fehlen.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
86.85. Independent wording
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Der Text ist sprachlich neu formuliert.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
87.86. Logical order
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Die Informationen folgen einer nachvollziehbaren Struktur.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
88.87. Readability
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Sätze sind präzise, aber nicht unnötig kompliziert.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
89.88. Faithfulness to source
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung sagt nicht mehr und nicht weniger als der Ausgangstext trägt.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
90.89. Audience orientation
Quality comes from balance: as short as possible, but as complete as necessary. Good summaries are precise, neutral, independently phrased, and faithful to the source.
Reference formulation:
Die Zusammenfassung ist auch ohne den vollständigen Ausgangstext verständlich.
Check: the formulation must preserve the function of the source and must not introduce additional evaluation or new information.
91.Master checklist: before finalising
- source identified
- topic / guiding question clear
- core message included
- all main points included
- secondary details reduced
- no personal opinion
- no new information
- modality preserved
- negation preserved
- quantifiers preserved
- logical relations preserved
- independently phrased
- cohesion present
- present as default tense
- numbers only when relevant
- source visible for reported claims
- no unnecessary quotations
- no invented conclusion
- linguistically compact
- content understandable
92.Phrase bank
Opening
Der Text „…“ von … behandelt ...Im Mittelpunkt des Beitrags steht ...Der Artikel geht der Frage nach, ob ...Der vorliegende Text thematisiert ...
Reporting structure
Zunächst beschreibt der Text ...Anschließend wird erläutert, dass ...Daraufhin geht der Autor auf ... ein.Abschließend wird festgehalten, dass ...
Reporting claims
Der Autor betont, dass ...Die Autorin weist darauf hin, dass ...Der Text argumentiert, dass ...Der Bericht kommt zu dem Schluss, dass ...
Marking distance
Nach Ansicht der Autorin ...Der Studie zufolge ...Nach Angaben des Berichts ...Wie der Text zeigt, ...
Compressing
Zusammengefasst lässt sich sagen, dass ...Die genannten Beispiele verdeutlichen insgesamt ...Die verschiedenen Gründe lassen sich unter ... zusammenfassen.Im Kern geht es um ...
93.Compression: typical transformations
| Ausgangsform | Verdichtete Form |
|---|---|
| Viele Menschen fahren mit Bus, Bahn oder Straßenbahn. | Viele Menschen nutzen öffentliche Verkehrsmittel. |
| Weil Energie teurer wird und gleichzeitig die Nachfrage steigt, erhöhen sich die Kosten. | Steigende Energiepreise und Nachfrage erhöhen die Kosten. |
| Die Autorin nennt Berlin, Hamburg und München als Beispiele. | Die Autorin nennt mehrere Großstädte als Beispiele. |
| Die Zahl stieg 2021, 2022 und 2023 in jedem Jahr an. | Die Zahl stieg über den gesamten Zeitraum kontinuierlich. |
| Einige Befragte äußern Kritik; andere unterstützen den Vorschlag. | Die Befragten bewerten den Vorschlag unterschiedlich. |
| Der Text nennt zahlreiche Maßnahmen zur Einsparung von Zeit und Geld. | Der Text beschreibt mehrere Maßnahmen zur Effizienzsteigerung. |
94.Reporting verbs by function
| Funktion | Verben |
|---|---|
| neutral mitteilen | beschreiben · erklären · darstellen · berichten |
| hervorheben | betonen · hervorheben · unterstreichen |
| argumentieren | begründen · argumentieren · folgern · schließen |
| kritisch bewerten | kritisieren · problematisieren · bezweifeln |
| vorsichtig formulieren | vermuten · annehmen · darauf hindeuten |
| stärker distanzieren | behaupten · vorgeben |
Hinweis: behaupten ist nicht völlig neutral; es kann Distanz oder Zweifel signalisieren.
95.Models of complete summaries
M1. Sachtext
Der Artikel beschäftigt sich mit der Frage, wie digitale Arbeit den Berufsalltag verändert. Zunächst beschreibt der Autor Vorteile wie größere zeitliche Flexibilität und kürzere Arbeitswege. Anschließend weist er auf mögliche Nachteile hin, darunter soziale Isolation und erschwerte Zusammenarbeit. Abschließend betont er, dass hybride Arbeitsmodelle nur dann langfristig funktionieren, wenn technische, organisatorische und soziale Bedingungen gemeinsam berücksichtigt werden.
The model demonstrates compression, neutral reporting, and clear information hierarchy.
M2. Argumentativer Text
Der Beitrag vertritt die Auffassung, dass Innenstädte stärker vom Autoverkehr entlastet werden sollten. Als Hauptgründe nennt die Autorin eine höhere Aufenthaltsqualität, geringere Lärmbelastung und mehr Raum für Fuß- und Radverkehr. Gleichzeitig räumt sie ein, dass Handel und Lieferverkehr weiterhin erreichbar bleiben müssen. Daraus folgert sie, dass Verkehrsberuhigung mit abgestimmten Logistik- und Mobilitätskonzepten verbunden werden sollte.
The model demonstrates compression, neutral reporting, and clear information hierarchy.
M3. Text mit Daten
Die Studie untersucht Veränderungen im Mobilitätsverhalten. Den Ergebnissen zufolge ist der Anteil regelmäßig genutzter öffentlicher Verkehrsmittel im untersuchten Zeitraum gestiegen, während die tägliche Autonutzung zurückging. Besonders deutlich ist die Veränderung in größeren Städten. Die Autoren weisen jedoch darauf hin, dass regionale Unterschiede erheblich bleiben und die Daten keine allgemeine Aussage für alle Bevölkerungsgruppen erlauben.
The model demonstrates compression, neutral reporting, and clear information hierarchy.
M4. Kontroverse Positionen
Der Text stellt zwei Positionen zur Nutzung künstlicher Intelligenz im Bildungsbereich gegenüber. Befürworter betonen mögliche Vorteile für Individualisierung und Feedback, während Kritiker auf Risiken für Datenschutz, Eigenleistung und Chancengleichheit hinweisen. Der Beitrag kommt zu dem Schluss, dass der Nutzen stark davon abhängt, wie transparent die Systeme eingesetzt und welche Regeln für ihre Nutzung festgelegt werden.
The model demonstrates compression, neutral reporting, and clear information hierarchy.
96.Typical errors
F1. zu nah am Original
Problem: ganze Sätze fast wörtlich übernehmen.
Better: Gedanken neu strukturieren und paraphrasieren.
F2. zu viele Details
Problem: jede Zahl und jedes Beispiel behalten.
Better: nur entscheidungsrelevante Details übernehmen.
F3. eigene Meinung
Problem: Ich finde ... ergänzen.
Better: eigene Bewertung vollständig entfernen.
F4. Modalität verändern
Problem: könnte zu wird machen.
Better: Unsicherheitsgrad erhalten.
F5. Negation verlieren
Problem: nicht eindeutig weglassen.
Better: Negation und Einschränkung erhalten.
F6. Quelle unsichtbar machen
Problem: fremde Behauptung als Tatsache schreiben.
Better: Quelle oder Autor sichtbar machen.
F7. Reihenfolge kopieren
Problem: Absatz für Absatz nacherzählen.
Better: nach Informationslogik ordnen.
F8. zu viele Zitate
Problem: Originalformulierungen aneinanderreihen.
Better: in eigenen Worten schreiben.
F9. Satzliste
Problem: jeden Punkt isoliert formulieren.
Better: Kohäsion und Übergänge herstellen.
F10. künstlicher Schluss
Problem: eigene Schlussfolgerung ergänzen.
Better: nur Schluss des Originals wiedergeben.
F11. Überkompression
Problem: wichtige Einschränkungen entfernen.
Better: Kern und Geltungsbereich bewahren.
F12. zu allgemeine Verben
Problem: ständig sagen verwenden.
Better: präzise Reporting-Verben wählen.
97.10-second check
source identified?
core message clear?
all main points included?
secondary details reduced?
personal opinion removed?
modality / negation / quantifiers preserved?
phrased independently?
logically connected?
no new information?
as short as possible, as complete as necessary?
98.Compact summary
read → guiding question → main claims → group details → paraphrase neutrally → keep source visible → connect → shorten → check meaning
Key principle: A summary works when a reader can understand the source text’s line of thought without reading the original, while it remains clear that the claims belong to a source.