referatu

Referatu is a term used in several European education systems to denote a short academic paper or oral presentation that summarizes a topic based on sources. The word is used in languages such as German, Polish and Romanian, with the exact conventions varying by country and institution. In Polish, for example, referatu is the singular form used to describe a report or presentation and can appear in inflected forms like referatu in genitive or dative cases.

Purpose and use

Referatu is typically assigned to assess a student’s ability to locate relevant sources, understand a topic, and present a clear, concise synthesis. It is common in both secondary education and higher education, often as part of seminars or coursework. The emphasis is usually on summarizing existing literature or information rather than presenting a heavily original argument, though a critical assessment of sources may be included.

Content and structure

A referatu generally includes a title or topic, objectives or questions, a brief review of sources, a synthesis of the main points, and a conclusion. It may also outline the chosen methodology, discuss limitations, and provide references. Some assignments require an oral presentation to accompany the written text, sometimes with slides or a short talk.

Length and format

Lengths vary by level and institution. University-level referats commonly range from about 5 to 15 pages (roughly 1,000 to 4,000 words), while shorter versions may be used in secondary schools. Formatting, citation style, and the balance between summary and analysis are specified by the instructor.

Relation to other forms

Referatu is distinct from an argumentative essay in that it prioritizes accurate summarization and synthesis of sources, though it may include critical evaluation. It is also different from a full research paper, which typically presents original research and new findings.