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Summary Writing GR 11 English

The document outlines the process and skills required for writing effective summaries in Grade 11, emphasizing the importance of selecting key details and writing in one's own words. It provides a step-by-step guide, including reading instructions, skimming texts, drafting, editing, and finalizing the summary while adhering to specific guidelines. Additionally, it offers tips for concise writing and the significance of summarizing as a life skill for academic and career success.

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jasrahhussain9
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200 views3 pages

Summary Writing GR 11 English

The document outlines the process and skills required for writing effective summaries in Grade 11, emphasizing the importance of selecting key details and writing in one's own words. It provides a step-by-step guide, including reading instructions, skimming texts, drafting, editing, and finalizing the summary while adhering to specific guidelines. Additionally, it offers tips for concise writing and the significance of summarizing as a life skill for academic and career success.

Uploaded by

jasrahhussain9
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Summary Writing

Grade 11

The summary is designed to test TWO skills:


• Your ability to select the more important details in a passage.
• Your competence in writing good English i.e. in your own words.

What will it consist of?


• It will consist of one or more written passages (approx. 350 words – 800 words
in length) and a set of instructions.
• The instructions will usually include an explanation of the PURPOSE and its
INTENDED AUDIENCE.

Why learn to SUMMARISE at school?


• It is a life skill.
• The ability to absorb a large amount of information, to
understand and then condense it into a shorter, prioritised
version is critical for academic and career success.

Step 1: Read the instructions


• They will include the purpose and intended audience.
• The audience will help you establish the style and register for your summary.

Formal or informal
• You may be instructed to give a title.
• Whether your summary is a single, coherent paragraph OR point form, it must
be written in full sentences.

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Step 2: Skim read the text(s)
• Skim read the text(s) to identify the main ideas.
• Read the title,
introduction,
first paragraph,
sub-headings
and scan the rest of the content.

Step 3: Review the instructions


Make sure that you UNDERSTAND what you are being asked to do, what
you need to PRIORITISE and on which to FOCUS your summary.

Step 4: Read the text(s)


• Read carefully and thoroughly.
• Think about what you are reading.
• Underline the MAIN IDEA that is being communicated in
each paragraph
• Highlight important ideas and information.
• Make notes as you read.
• Try to work out unfamiliar words or ideas.

Step 5: Write a rough draft


• Write in YOUR OWN WORDS!
• If you can, write from memory.
• Stick to the information presented in the original text(s).
• Do not draw on your own knowledge of the topic. That is not
what is being tested.
• Check that your rough draft flows and that your register and style is appropriate
to the purpose of the summary.
• Indicate clearly that this is a Rough Draft.

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Step 6: Edit your work
• Read through your rough draft again.
• Ask: have I conveyed the meaning accurately?
• Check for little errors.
• Check the number of words.

Step 7: Write your final draft


• Write out your final draft carefully.
• Write the correct number of words (in pen) that you have used.

You will be penalised if you do not provide a word count or an accurate word
count or if you exceed the specified word limit.
You will not be penalised for writing under the word limit - check that you have
included all the important information.

Summary Tips
• Do not repeat ideas.
• Substitute phrases with single words where possible.
• Leave out adjectives and adverbs.
• Avoid using direct speech or quotes.
• Do not include examples from the text(s).
• Write your summary in the third person unless you are instructed not to.
• Give your summary a title – if required.
• Include an accurate word count at the end.
• Try not to spend more than 20 minutes on your summary in
exam conditions.

Adapted from The English Experience

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