SUMMARY • Pull out main ideas.
Summarising is a skill we use to reduce large sections of text to their bare • Focus on key details.
essentials, i.e.: the gist, the key ideas, and the main points of the text. • Use key words and phrases.
A summary is a condensed account of a longer reading text. • Break down the larger ideas.
Remember: writing summaries is the most important skill to study for all subjects. • Write only enough to convey the message.
• Write succinct but complete sentences
PAY ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING WHEN SUMMARISING:
Steps to follow to write a good summary:
Focus on the topic:
STEP 1
• Read all the instructions given.
• Eliminate the less important, unrelated or repeated ideas from the passage.
• Identify what you are required to summarise.
STEP 2
• Write the topic in LARGE BOLD letters at the top of your planning page.
• Highlight the important details using keywords.
• Read the topic before you read the passage to ensure you remain focused. How
STEP 3
do we do it?
List keywords in the order they appear in the passage and trim them to topic
• We strip away the extra words and examples.
sentences.
• We focus on the heart of the matter - the main facts.
STEP 4
• We find the key words and phrases that still manage to capture the gist of what
• Write a short summary in your own words.
we’ve read.
• We capture the main ideas and the crucial details necessary for supporting
A final word of warning...
them.
You will lose marks when you: AVOID THE FOLLOWING
1. Avoid lifting phrases/sentences from the text by writing the summary in your
• write down everything.
own words.
• write incomplete sentences.
2. Avoid the use of figurative language, reported speech, redundancy, repetition,
• don’t write enough.
examples and illustrations.
copy word for word from the original text.
3. Avoid being dishonest by misstating the number of words used.
What you SHOULD do!
