How do you judge the impact of your summary?

1 Purpose and audience

The first thing to consider when judging the impact of your summary is the purpose and audience of your writing. Why are you writing the summary and who are you writing it for? Different purposes and audiences may require different levels of detail, clarity, and emphasis in your summary. For example, a summary for a journal article may need to highlight the novelty and significance of your findings, while a summary for a grant proposal may need to demonstrate the feasibility and relevance of your research. Therefore, you should tailor your summary to the specific expectations and needs of your purpose and audience.

2 Structure and length

The second thing to consider when judging the impact of your summary is the structure and length of your writing. How do you organize and present your information in a logical and coherent way? How do you balance the breadth and depth of your summary? Generally, a summary should follow a clear and consistent structure that covers the main elements of your research, such as the background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. However, the structure may vary depending on the type and format of your writing, such as an abstract, an executive summary, or a plain language summary. Likewise, the length of your summary may depend on the word limit and the scope of your research. A good summary should be concise and comprehensive, avoiding unnecessary details and repetitions.

3 Language and style

The third thing to consider when judging the impact of your summary is the language and style of your writing. How do you use words and sentences to convey your message clearly and accurately? How do you adopt an appropriate tone and voice for your summary? Generally, a summary should use clear and precise language, avoiding jargon, ambiguity, and errors. It should also use active and passive voice appropriately, depending on the focus and emphasis of your sentences. Moreover, a summary should use a formal and objective tone, avoiding personal opinions, emotions, and exaggerations. A good summary should be readable and credible, enhancing your authority and credibility as a researcher.

4 Keywords and phrases

The fourth thing to consider when judging the impact of your summary is the keywords and phrases that you use in your writing. How do you select and use the most relevant and specific terms for your research? How do you optimize your summary for search engines and databases? Generally, a summary should use keywords and phrases that reflect the main concepts and themes of your research, as well as the terminology and standards of your discipline. These keywords and phrases should be placed strategically in your summary, especially in the title, the first sentence, and the last sentence. Moreover, a summary should use synonyms and variations of your keywords and phrases, to increase the chances of being found and matched by search engines and databases. A good summary should be searchable and discoverable, increasing your visibility and reach as a researcher.

5 Feedback and revision

The fifth thing to consider when judging the impact of your summary is the feedback and revision that you receive and apply to your writing. How do you seek and incorporate constructive comments and suggestions from others? How do you review and improve your own summary? Generally, a summary should undergo multiple rounds of feedback and revision, involving different sources and perspectives, such as your peers, mentors, editors, reviewers, or potential readers. These feedback and revision processes should help you identify and address the strengths and weaknesses of your summary, as well as any gaps or errors that may affect its impact. Moreover, a summary should be revised according to the specific criteria and guidelines of your purpose and audience, such as the journal's instructions for authors or the grant's evaluation criteria. A good summary should be polished and refined, maximizing its quality and effectiveness as a communication tool.

6 Impact indicators

The sixth thing to consider when judging the impact of your summary is the impact indicators that you can use to measure and monitor the outcomes and effects of your writing. How do you track and evaluate the performance and impact of your summary? How do you use the data and feedback to improve your future summaries? Generally, a summary can have various types of impact, such as academic, social, or economic impact, depending on the goals and expectations of your purpose and audience. These types of impact can be assessed by different indicators, such as citations, downloads, views, shares, comments, or media coverage. These indicators can provide you with quantitative and qualitative data and feedback on how your summary is received and used by your readers. Moreover, these indicators can help you identify and address the gaps and opportunities for enhancing the impact of your summary, as well as informing your future research and writing decisions. A good summary should be impactful and influential, contributing to the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in your field.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?