Learn to write a Summary

Summary Writing

Examination tips

1. To begin with, read the question before you embark on reading the text. This will help you to identify which paragraphs are selected for note taking and summary writing. For instance ‘read paragraphs 2 to 9’. Even if the identification of paragraphs is not given in the question. Instead of aimlessly reading the text, the reading of the question would guide you about what exactly is asked.
2. Read the text at least 3 times. The number of readings depend on the skill of the student. While some may take a little longer others may understand the text in 2 readings . However, a slow and a close reading of the text is recommended. During the examination, it is advisable to sub-vocalize and hear yourself reading. Experts consider this technique a two-way process of reading and listening which helps the reader understand the text in a better manner.
3. In section 1 paper 2, students are supposed to write 15 content points on two aspects e.g advantages and disadvantages, cause and effect etc. So, in this regard it would be best if two different colours are used to mark the content points of two different aspects (see my post about the example of summary writing). At times students are not allowed to take along different colour markers, in that case, to avoid inconvenience it would be better to use a blue pen and a black pointer. You will see the difference!
4. To fasten your reading pace one best tip is to go through the first 2 lines of a paragraph. The initial lines usually contain the Topic Sentence of a paragraph. These lines are the guiding lines as they anticipate the topics discussed later in the paragraph. Thus, instead of toiling through the entire paragraph, a close reading of the topic sentence could save time.
5. Once you have marked all the points on the text, the next step is to jot them down under their respective topics. It has to be done in the form of phrases, which means every point should not be more than 5 to 6 words. You just have to pick the key words. This is called Note Taking. There is no need to lift the entire line from the original text (that is just a waste of time).
6. Summary writing means that the candidate has to select appropriate information from the text. Eliminate irrelevant information and be careful of the points repeated in the text but expressed in a different style.
7. Now cancel out any irrelevant point or check if you have written 2 points which mean the same. Avoid repetition because the examiner will not mark those  points which are repeated. Secondly, it would also give an impression to the examiner that the candidate has deliberately written them to complete the required number (15) of points.
8. After the points are written it is time to replace them with their appropriate synonyms which should fall close to the meaning used in the text. A vague replacement will be useless. Be sure to select synonyms which would express the same meaning as the original word.
9. Now weave these points in a sentence of your own words. The sentences are expected to be simple, short and pithy.
10. Use transition words like (next, moreover, thus, hence e.t.c) to create coherence in your sentences. Avoid repetition of ‘but’ and ‘and’.
11. It is not necessary to write your summary in paragraphs. The examiner wants to see how coherent and clear the information is to the reader.
12. Similarly, it is not important to follow the same sequence of the content points in your summary. There should be continuity of thought and can be added in any way.
13. There are times when more than 15 points could be extracted from the text. In that case it is not necessary to cover all those in your summary. The examiner will tick (√) on the points while going through your summary. Once the required number is complete the extra ones will be cancelled out.
14. Eliminate all quotes and examples from the original text. In a summary those are not required. Focus on the key points.
15. Your summary should be written in a formal register, with a use of correct grammar and precise vocabulary.
16. Proof read your summary to avoid any silly spelling mistakes.
17. Summary is often written in present tense.
18. No ‘I’ pronoun should be used in it.
19. Avoid all colloquial words or abbreviations.
20. Note: there is already a sentence of 10 words provided to begin with. Beware to write a summary of 150 words. Students often forget the beginning 10 words and exceed the word limit.
21. Summary should not be very short and should not be too long. A general notion is that a summarized passage is one fourth or one third of the original passage.
22. To have  a better understanding of the format also see my post on the”Example for Summary Writing” and ‘Fresh resource for summary writing’

Good luck!