Recapitulation is the action of synthesizing an explanation that has been previously described. In other words, it consists of making a summary of what has been mentioned.
In both oral and written communication, it is sometimes convenient to recapitulate with the intention of briefly recalling a broad and detailed exposition.
Let's imagine a teacher who explains a topic during several classes. To offer condensed information, it is quite possible that at a certain moment you will recapitulate all your explanations. In this way, students will be able to have a summary of the topic.
In the recapitulation there is a going back, in the sense that what has been exposed is repeated again but in a more reduced and synthetic way. It is a way of remembering the starting point and the fundamental elements of a narrative, information or story.
There is a literary genre that basically consists of recapitulating: autobiography. The writer recalls his experiences, in such a way that a part of his life is ordered and summarized.
An effective technique for communication
When we communicate, the information we provide is very convenient but, at the same time, it is essential to be effective, that is, that the speech manages to convince the interlocutor.
Whoever uses the word and wants his message to be valued, has to recapitulate frequently so that the ideas that are transmitted are not dispersed in the speech or in the exhibition. As a general rule, the summary or recapitulation of an intervention is done at the end of it and in a very condensed way. With this explanatory resource a greater force in the argumentation is achieved and the danger of the listener losing the argument thread is avoided. This technique is used in a variety of circumstances: at a conference, in a plea at a trial, at a political rally, or in a written report.
In the television medium, recapitulation also appears as a resource. It is presented when a new episode of a series is announced and for the viewer to have certain information about the latest events, these appear in a summarized way.
Recapitulating, we could affirm that this concept is a way of summarizing a message, it is a useful strategy in the different discursive forms and its correct use allows communication to be more effective.
