Lay Summary

Creating a lay summary that effectively communicates complex research in a simple, engaging way is essential to reach a broad audience. A lay summary should help readers without specialized knowledge understand the research’s purpose, methods, findings, and implications. Here’s a guide based on best practices and tips from sources on writing effective lay summaries.

1. Title: Keep It Simple and Informative

• Tip: Use a short, straightforward title that directly relates to the main theme or finding of your study.
• Example: Instead of "Analyzing Linguistic Variation in Rural Brazilian Dialects: A Multivariate Approach," try "How Dialects Vary in Rural Brazil."

2. Key Content Questions

When crafting the main content of the lay summary, answer these key questions in a clear, direct manner:

• What is the research about?

  • Tip: State the research question simply, focusing on the topic's relevance.
  • Example: Instead of "This study investigates diachronic shifts in the morphology of endangered languages," use "This study explores how words in endangered languages have changed over time."

• Why is it important?

  • Tip: Describe why the research matters. Connect its significance to everyday life or larger societal impacts.
  • Example: "Understanding how languages evolve helps preserve cultural heritage and supports community identity, which is especially important for endangered languages."

• What did the researchers do?

  • Tip: Outline the main methods in simple terms. Avoid jargon and keep explanations concise.
  • Example: Instead of "Utilizing a corpus-based multivariate analysis," say "We analyzed hundreds of recorded conversations from different regions to identify patterns in dialect use."

• What were the main findings?

  • Tip: Summarize key findings without technical terms. Focus on what you discovered, not on the statistical significance or technical details.
  • Example: "We found that younger speakers in the community use more modern phrases, while older speakers retain traditional expressions."

• What do the results mean?

  • Tip: Conclude with the broader implications. Describe potential applications or why the findings matter for non-experts.
  • Example: "This information helps language educators create materials that both respect tradition and engage younger generations, supporting language preservation."

3. Language and Style

• Use Plain Language: Avoid academic or field-specific jargon. Aim for clarity and avoid complex sentence structures.

  • Example: Instead of "phonological variation across sociolects," use "differences in pronunciation between social groups."

• Write in the Active Voice: Active voice is more direct and engaging than passive.

  • Example: "Researchers recorded conversations" is more engaging than "Conversations were recorded by researchers."

• Limit Acronyms and Define Terms: If using technical terms or acronyms, define them the first time they appear.

  • Example: If you must use "sociolinguistic," you might define it as "the study of how language varies across different social groups."

• Use Positive and Clear Phrasing: Frame findings positively and avoid ambiguous words.

  • Example: Instead of "There were no significant changes," say "The dialect remains consistent across generations, indicating strong cultural continuity."

• Maintain a Conversational Tone: A friendly, conversational tone helps make the content more approachable.

  • Example: "Imagine how the way you speak might be different from your grandparents—that’s what we explored in this study."

4. Structure and Clarity

• Organize by Importance: Start with the most crucial points and layer additional details for readers who want to learn more.

• Use Short Sentences: Aim for one main idea per sentence.

  • Example: Instead of "The current study examines language variation among rural populations, specifically focusing on how social and economic factors influence linguistic choices," try "We looked at how social and economic factors affect language in rural communities."

• Provide Examples: Concrete examples help clarify abstract concepts.

  • Example: "For example, younger speakers often replace older words with new slang, while elders keep the original expressions."

• Avoid Excessive Detail: Focus on the big picture, leaving out technical details unless absolutely necessary for understanding.

5. Accessibility and Readability

• Aim for Grade 8 Reading Level or Lower: Use readability tools to check that your summary is accessible to a broad audience.

• Remove Jargon: Jargon makes summaries difficult for non-experts. Use familiar words wherever possible.

• Use People-First Language: This respects individuals involved in or impacted by the research.

  • Example: Instead of "the elderly," use "older adults."

• Examples and Metaphors: Relatable examples can help make complex concepts easier to grasp.

  • Example: "Just as some people have regional accents, language variations can signal where someone is from or their background."

6. Review and Test

• Get Feedback: Show your summary to a non-expert to ensure it’s understandable.
• Read Aloud: Reading out loud helps catch any awkward phrasing or overly complex sentences.
• Ask for Feedback from a Peer Outside Your Field: This can reveal assumptions of prior knowledge you might not realize you’re making.

7. Additional Tips and Tools

• Define Acronyms and Terms: Define any acronym or technical term on the first use.
• Use Readability Tools: Test your summary for readability with tools like the Flesch Reading Ease or Read-able.
• Consider Visuals: If allowed, use infographics or visuals to reinforce key points visually.

Example of an Effective Lay Summary:

Title: "Understanding How Dialects Vary in Rural Brazil"

Summary: This study explores how different groups in rural Brazil speak. We wanted to understand if age, social background, or location affects how people use language. To find out, we recorded conversations from people of all ages in rural towns. We discovered that while older speakers tend to keep traditional expressions, younger speakers use more modern phrases. This research can help create educational materials that respect traditions but also connect with young people, which is vital for preserving language in changing times. By understanding these variations, we gain insights into cultural identity and language evolution.

Following these detailed guidelines will help you create a lay summary that’s informative, engaging, and accessible, effectively connecting your work to a broader audience.