One of the important skills in discussions is summarizing the content of the ideas, opinions and arguments expressed by the participants. Summing up means providing a brief and clear summary of the main points discussed, without adding new information or changing the original meaning. Summarizing can help clarify understanding, avoid misunderstandings, and show respect for other people’s contributions.
The content of ideas, opinions and arguments is an important part of information and knowledge. The content of opinion ideas and arguments contains reasons that support the author’s opinion about a topic. The content of opinions and arguments must be arranged logically, clearly and convincingly so that readers can understand and accept the author’s point of view. The content of ideas, opinions and arguments must also be supported by relevant and credible facts, data, examples or sources. The content of opinions and arguments usually consists of several paragraphs, each of which develops one main idea related to the author’s thesis.
Discussion is a way to share knowledge, ideas, opinions and arguments about a topic or problem. Discussions can be carried out orally or in writing, formally or informally, individually or in groups. The purpose of the discussion is to reach agreement, understanding, solutions or recommendations that are beneficial for all parties involved.
However, the discussion will not be complete without a conclusion. The conclusion is a summary of what has been discussed in the discussion, including important points, results, impacts and suggestions. Conclusions can also be an evaluation of the discussion process itself, whether it was successful or not, what can be improved or continued.
Example of Concluding a Discussion
For example, if the discussion discusses the positive and negative impacts of social media on teenagers, then a summary that can be made is:
“In conclusion, we have heard various ideas, opinions and arguments about the impact of social media on teenagers. First, we heard from A that social media can provide benefits such as broadening horizons, increasing creativity and building social networks. Second, we heard from B that social media can also pose risks such as cyberbullying, addiction and decreased mental health. Next, we heard from C that social media can be used as a means of education, entertainment and socialization if used wisely and responsibly. Finally, we heard from D that social media requires supervision and regulation from parents, teachers and the government to prevent its negative impacts. So, we can see that social media has positive and negative impacts on teenagers, depending on how they use it. Thus, we need to be more aware and critical of the use of social media in everyday life. Does anyone have anything to add to or correct this summary?”
Tips for Concluding a Discussion Effectively
So, how do you conclude a discussion effectively? Here are some tips that you can apply:
Determine the purpose of the conclusion.
Do you want to repeat what has been discussed, emphasize main points, provide recommendations or suggestions, or ask questions for further discussion? Adjust the purpose of the conclusion to the type and context of the discussion you are having.
Use transition words.
Transition words are words or phrases that link parts of the discussion and the conclusion. Examples of transition words are: so, thus, therefore, consequently, in conclusion, in summary, etc. Transition words help you to create a clear and logical flow in concluding the discussion.
Concise and clear.
Don’t make conclusions that are too long or complicated. Just convey the important points that have been discussed in the discussion in simple and easy to understand language. Avoid repetition, irrelevant or long-winded information. If necessary, use bullet points or numbers to make it easier for readers or listeners to follow your conclusions.
Provide examples or evidence.
If there is data, facts, statistics, quotes or illustrations that support the points you conclude, you should include them in your conclusion. These examples or evidence will make your conclusions stronger and more convincing. However, make sure that the examples or evidence you provide have been mentioned previously in the discussion and are relevant to the topic or problem being discussed.
Ask a question or challenge.
If the purpose of your conclusion is to arouse the reader’s or listener’s interest or motivation to continue the discussion or take action, you can ask a question or challenge at the end of your conclusion. These questions or challenges can be in the form of reflection, evaluation, criticism, suggestions or invitations. However, make sure that the questions or challenges you ask are open and positive.
Benefits of Summing Up
Summarizing the content of ideas, opinions and arguments in a discussion is one of the important skills that every discussion participant needs to master. Summing up means extracting the main points from what has been discussed and conveyed by the speakers. The benefits of summarizing are:
- Summing up helps clarify and sharpen our understanding of the discussion topic. By summarizing, we can identify key ideas, important facts, and evidence that support or oppose a position.
- Summing up helps test and evaluate the quality of the discussion. By concluding, we can assess whether the discussion has achieved its objectives, whether there is agreement or disagreement, and whether there are any conclusions or recommendations that can be drawn from the discussion.
- Summing up helps communicate the results of the discussion to other parties. By concluding, we can convey the essence of the discussion concisely and clearly to people who are not present in the discussion, such as superiors, clients, or the public.
That’s the article I wrote with the theme of how to summarize the content, ideas, opinions and arguments in a discussion. Hope it is useful!
