What is a summary noun?
Summary nouns are nouns that refer to previously discussed concepts. They are like “super” pronouns, with extended range and scope. They are a great for:
- reintroducing a topic
- summarizing complicated concepts with one or a few words
- adding cohesion
- avoiding wordiness (concision)
Examples of sentence-beginning summary nouns in a research paper:
- This approach …
- Such methods …
- Such views …
- The process …
- This insight …
- These results …
- Given this observation …
- These findings …
- Given this background …
- From this perspective …
- The previously mentioned X …
- The aforementioned X …
Adding information through modification of summary nouns
This complicated process
or even…
The ease/complexity of this fabrication process (means that) …
Summary nouns can be used in any part of a sentence
For example:
Given these findings, the novel and simple construction process examined in this paper has substantial potential for application to the fields already mentioned needing cheap and reliable wearable energy storage.
Enhance cohesion by intentionally introducing summary nouns early for use later
Intentionally introducing words to be used later as summary nouns is a useful technique. The noun or noun phrase could even be introduced as a subheading. This more intentional repetition can make the links to previous ideas clearer.
Summary nouns in academic papers
Summary nouns are useful in academic abstracts to keep to limited word counts. To practice summary nouns, find an abstract online. Can you find the summary nouns? Summary nouns are also commonly used in the background, discussion and conclusion sections of a paper to concisely refer to previous concepts.
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