M.N.SPIES 1

SUMMARY WRITINGSUBJECT: ENGLISH

PHASE: FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PHASELEVEL: HOME LANGUAGE

GRADE: 11TERM: 3

TOPIC: READING AND VIEWINGSUB-TOPIC: SUMMARY WRITING

M.N.SPIES 2

Summary writing

• Being able to competently summarise a passage in English, notes in History/Life science or graphs in Business studies is a necessary life skill.

• Summaries can take different forms:• Mind maps• Flow charts• Point-form• Paragraphs

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Steps to write a summary:

• Read the passage carefully to grasp the meaning of the text.• Underline the topic sentences and other main ideas.• The topic sentence often appears at the beginning of the

paragraph.• Main ideas should be factual.• Do not include examples or explanations.• Rewrite the main points in one paragraph (rough draft). Use

your own words as far as possible.• Rewrite the paragraph – make sure there are no language

errors and that the correct number of words have been used.• Write the number of words you have used at the end of your

summary.

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When writing a summary:

• Do not give your own opinion.• Give a condensed from of the

original.• It is essential to preserve the tone

and register of the original while trying to use your own words as far as possible.

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Remember to eliminate the following:

• Repetition and unnecessary details.• Figures of speech.• Quotations.• Adjectives and adverbs.• Examples and illustrations.• Colloquialisms and slang.• Direct speech by using reported speech.

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Answer basic questions:

• WHO?• WHAT?• WHEN?• WHERE?• WHY?• HOW?

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VOCABULARY AID:

The text.....• ...explains....• ...mentions that...• ...deals with...• ...describes...• ...provides...

M.N.SPIES 9

VOCABULARY AID:

The author...• ...tells us about...• ...assumes...• ...provides information about...In the text...• ...we can read...• ...it says that...