WRITING GUIDE

Rendering an original Ukrainian / Russian text in English presupposes

condensing the content of a source text by summarizing it.
A summary is a shortened version of the text aimed at giving the most
important information or ideas of the text. A good summary meets the following
requirements.
A summary is usually a one-third or one-fourth of an original text length.
A summary does not evaluate a source text but it conveys the key points of its
content.
A summary begins with mentioning the headline, the author of an article and a
newspaper it comes from.
e.g. The article headlined is written by and comes from issued
on
A summary should contain a sufficient number of linking phrases ensuring the
transition from one part of reasoning to another and making for the logical
relationship of the ideas.

Steps in Summarizing
Read the original text and formulate its main concern.
Distinguish the key points of the source text content.
Divide the text into logical parts, summarize their main points in separate
paragraphs. In each paragraph first formulate the topical sentence and then supply
sentences which explain the topic or provide examples. Think of the logical
Thoughtful speaking / . . , . . . : , 2013. 169 .

connection between them.

Add appropriate transition devices (logical connectors) to show the logical
relationship of the ideas.

When rendering an article, make use of grammatical forms and structural

patterns which serve to present the information conveyed in as an objective way as
possible, namely:
passive constructions and predicative complexes with Passive:
e.g. It is stressed / pointed out / emphasized/ stated /etc. that
Smb/ smth is (un)likely to do / have done / be doing smth
Smb / smth is reported/ supposed/ expected/ etc. to do / have done / be doing
smth
adverbial connectors substituting for longer phrases and constructions:
admittedly, reportedly, allegedly, understandably, amazingly, remarkably,
presumably, notably, extraordinarily, etc.
e.g. A conference on disarmament is reported to have been postponed till
another session. Reportedly, a conference on disarmament has been postponed till
another session.
It is pointed out that the presidents visit was cancelled several days ago.
Notably, the presidents visit was cancelled several days ago.

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 adverbial connectors and parenthetical phrases of the following semantics:
addition: also, again, too, besides, in addition, additionally, furthermore,
moreover, similarly, etc.
contrast: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, still, unlike, on the one
hand, on the other hand, on the contrary, in contrast to, as distinct from,
conversely, whereas, while, etc.
sequence: first, to begin with, second, secondly, then, then comes, last, etc.
conclusion: hence, thus, therefore, consequently, accordingly, to sum up, in
conclusion, on the whole, etc.
analogy: similarly, likewise, in the same way, etc.
specification: in other words, otherwise stated, that is, that is to say,
namely, in particular, in fact, etc.
reporting verbs:
to insist, to complain, to remind, to intend, to explain, to confirm, to promise,
etc.
e.g. The MP says: Yes, we made the mistake with this law. The MP admits
making the mistake with the law.

Note: Alongside the above mentioned means of expression you can use the
following clichs comprising the name of the reporter or the journalist:
e.g. The reporter/ the journalist/ Mr X states/ claims/ concludes/ etc. that
The reporter expresses concern/ sorrow/ dissatisfaction/ enthusiasm/
regret that/ about, etc.
Mr X aggressively/ angrily/ furiously denies/ argues/ asserts/ declares/
demands (that)
Thoughtful speaking / . . , . . . : , 2013. 169 .

Mr X confidently/ eagerly urges/ agrees/ announces/ claims (that)

Mr X hesitantly/ reluctantly admits/ recognizes/ reveals (that)
Mr X patiently/ politely/ tactfully explains/ agrees/ remarks/ suggests
(that)
According to Mr X, etc.

Note: The choice of grammatical forms and constructions in a great degree

depends on the genre of newspaper writing (a news report, a feature article, a leader,
etc.) and on the position of the author (his personal assessment/ evaluation/ appraisal
of the information conveyed)

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