Summary – How to approach a summary question

Stage 1:

·  Read the question and find out exactly what you have to summarize. Underline the key words in the question. Give a code for the key words if there is more than one. For example if a questions asks “What are the causes and effects of air pollution?” then. You will have to give a code for the causes and another code for effects.      (For eg, ‘c’ and ‘e’)

·  Check the word limit. Look at pictures or headings for clues.

Stage 2 :

·  Skim read paragraph by paragraph and underline relevant portions.

·  Use the code beside it to make it easier to locate the relevant points.

Stage 3 :

·  On a blank page write a heading for each key word.

·  Rewrite the underlined points under the headings using your own words.

Stage 4 :

·  Group together any similar points.

·  Number them according to their importance. (number 1 for the most important)

Stage 5 :

·  Compare your points with the word limit. If there are too many points :

- Check that no idea has been repeated

- Try to connect similar ideas

- Drop any ideas that seem unnecessary or you don’t understand

·  If you do not have too many points consider using generalisations and time fixers

Stage 6 :

·  Now write your summary by expressing your points and linking them to the next point using linking words. Your summary you should not contain:

- any direct speech

- Quotations and examples

- repetition of words or ideas

- exact figures, numbers or statistics

anything that is not clearly stated in the passage, especially your own ideas