Ways of text compression: examples

The lessons of the Russian language and literature at school are very fascinating, but there are certain difficulties. One of them is writing an exposition. We in this task need to shorten the teacher's story or information without losing the main idea. That is why today we will consider possible ways of text compression and fix the received knowledge on specific examples. Be sure to watch them, they will help you figure out the method. We take elementary examples for reference.

Before we look at ways to compress text, you need to understand that you can not uninstall parts (sentences and paragraphs) thoughtlessly. It is necessary to understand, to understand the basic idea. It is best to divide the whole text into semantic blocks, each one entitled, based on the received plan, to continue the work.

An exception

Ways of text compression are very diverse. Suggestions can be combined, shortened, simplified, but first of all we want to pay attention to such a method as an exception.

This does not mean that you can simply take and throw out a proposal that is too long, no, it can be shortened noticeably by excluding certain words. What can be thrown out of the source text without loss of meaning? Here is a short list:

• Synonyms;
• Repetitions;
• Homogeneous terms of the sentence;
• A fragment that does not carry a semantic load;
• Sentences with descriptions and reasoning.

Carefully re-read the original proposal and the result. The second should be compact, but without detriment to meaning. In order to be more clear, we give an example.

"On the Christmas tree hung balls of incredible beauty, garlands, sweets, she overflowed with different colors: yellow, red, blue, green." We gave a specially very simple example for training. Try yourself to apply methods of text compression, or rather, the exclusion and generalization. We get: "There were a lot of toys hanging on the Christmas tree, which were shimmering in different colors." The sense is not lost, but the sentence is several times shorter than the original.

Generalization

In order to get a high score on the exam, you just need to know how to compress the text of the presentation. Now we turn to the second - generalization. We in the last example have already resorted to this method, when they replaced the names of different Christmas decorations with one word "toys". We summarized several minor parts. How to act? We find such complex sentences, we single out in them a homogeneous one and find a verbal form, to which they can be replaced.

"Dandelions, buttercups, camomiles, poppies, tulips and bells grew on the meadow." What one word can replace this infinite enumeration? Of course, the "flowers". We get a compact proposal: "Different flowers grew in the meadow".

Ways to compress the text of the presentation are manifold, but most often use generalization. What else can we unite? If in the text several sentences in a row tell the same story, then one complex sentence can be made.

Simplification

We examined some ways of compressing the text with examples, but did not pay attention to simplification. This is a very significant tool in this kind of work. Let's get started!

We can simplify a complex and long sentence, that is, break it down into simple ones. Of course, this technique should be used in conjunction with others. Almost any complex sentence can be replaced with a simple one. Do not forget about this feature. Will we check?

"I already went to bed, when the last rays of the sun slowly left the roofs of houses." Get "I went to bed at sunset". Another example: "Mom today got up early to have time to prepare a birthday cake for my birthday." Get "Mom got up early to bake a cake."

You can also use the method of translating direct speech into an indirect speech or formulating the main idea of the text in your own words.

Receptions

In order to shorten the text, often pay attention to some tricks. So, let's highlight the main ways of text compression, so it was easier to remember:

• Replacement;
• an exception;
• Merger.

What can we replace: homogeneous members, fragments of the text, complex sentences simple, dialogue indirect speech. We exclude everything that does not carry semantic load: repetitions, synonyms, sentences with description or reasoning. Mergers are subject to the same type of proposals, if the speech in them is about the same thing.

Compression technique

First, we carefully read the text and divide into semantic blocks, so we draw up a plan, which we will rely on when writing the presentation.

We single out the main idea. We are looking for "useless" fragments of text that can be immediately removed. We simplify complex, big phrases and sentences. We apply all methods and tools for compression, which were given in this article. Do not forget to replace direct speech with an indirect one, so the volume of the text will decrease significantly.