Summary writing tips

1) Skim the text. You should know what the main content of it is. Read the headline carefully.

2). Read the text again to understand more details. You must have understood the whole text.

3) Make notes (use keywords). Underline important words in the text.

4) Form sentences with the help of your keywords. These sentences should reflect the main content of the text.

5) Shorten the text in such a way that all facts are in the summary. Leave out examples, evaluations and interpretations

6) Connect the sentences using suitable conjunctions. The first sentence should describe the main content of the text.

7) Use Simple Present or Simple Past. Write sentences in Reported speech.

8) Sometimes you have to change the persons.

9) Check your summary. Watch out for spelling mistakes.

Use the key patterns:

• The subject/topic of the text is…

• As the title implies, the text describes

• The text deals with…

• The author explains/points out…

• The text gives a detailed description of…

• It is specially noted…

• Much attention is paid to…

• The author emphasizes…

• The text gives valuable information on…

• It is spoken in detail…

• A mention should be made…

• The aim of the text is to show that…

2. Summarize the information given in the text “Logistics Can Do Everything”.

Listening. Problem-solving techniques.

1. Problem-solving meeting should start with clear objectives and end with clear actions. Look at the problems and objectives in the box. Complete the suggestions in column 3, using the phrases below.

1. shift production to somewhere like South-East Asia

2. sell it direct online

3. delay the new product launch

4. offered it on a sale

5. encrypting (coding) our most confidential information

6. sell it off at a discount

7. raising prices

8. we involved the police

9. bought the company out

10. just manufacture our own components

What’s the problem?	What’s our objective?	What action can we take?
1. We can’t get retail outlets to stock our new product	1. To get access to the customer	What if we__________? Another option would be___________.
2. Our only supplier is about to go bankrupt!	2. To get the supplies we need	Supposing we__________? Alternatively, we could _____________.
3. Rising labour costs are reducing profits.	3. To maintain our profit level	How about_________? The answer could be _______________.
4. Old unsold goods are stored in the warehouses	4. To create space for new product	Why don’t we__________? Couldn’t we just _______________?
5. Someone in the company is passing on information to the rival company.	5. To protect our competitive advantage	What about ___________? Maybe it’s time__________.

2. Listen to the extract from the meetings above and check your answers.

3. Listen again and answer the following questions:

   • Extract 1. Which of the two suggestions is better received?

   • Extract 2. What will happen if a solution isn’t found?

   • Extract 3. Why isn’t a price increase an option?

   • Extract 4. How is product developing affecting the stock situation?

   • Extract 5. Why is encrypting most confident information not enough?

4. For each problem, add one more suggestion of your own. Compare it with other members of your group.

Speaking: Now You

1. Work in groups. Choose one of the following areas and discuss in what ways Logistics can be useful in this branch. Share your ideas with other groups.

h ealthcare tourism

banking military area

Useful Constructions

Logistics can do/organize/optimize…

Logistics can be used…

It can help… control/provide/manage/perform/give

Tune In

1. Work in groups. Think of the problems Logistics managers can face while organizing large distribution chains. Make up a poster of Five Top Burning Issues. Share your ideas with other groups.