IGCSE
Summary Writing
Cambridge FLE 0500
Ms. Asmaa Barakat Abu Auf
Humanities Lecturer
01
General Skills for
Writing Summary
01
General Skills for
Writing Summary
01
General Skills for
Writing Summary
A summary is a shortened version
containing the key points in as few
words as necessary. It tests the
candidate’s ability to form content
points in a clear and concise approach
to continuous writing. Writing a
summary emphasises four basic skills:
identifying key points of the passage,
articulating in your own words, and
sequencing points cohesively all
within the given word count.
Content.
Answer the question directly and focus on relevant
points only! Use as much of the material as
possible, however, be wary of some parts that are
not covered in the question. Be reminded that
points must be taken from the passage, and do not
repeat similar points even if it was made twice.
Everything must be directly connected to the
passage and supported using references. As such,
adding facts or opinions are not suggested. This
exercise is meant to sum up the passage and not to
add original ideas. Content marks will only be
obtained when the required content is provided.
Language.
Write in your own words as much as possible.
Although the message needs to be the same,
wordings need to be different. It is important that
the replaced words convey the essence of the point.
No need to find synonyms for technical objects, e.g.
solar heaters, and only change words when
appropriate.
Lifting a few words is acceptable as long as it is
evident that you understand and focus on the key
details of the passage. Do avoid over-lengthy lifting
and quoting straight from the passage. Find precise
words to use and vary your choices.
Writing style.
Express the key points clearly, succinctly and
fluently using a formal tone of writing. There is no
need for an introduction and conclusion. Start by
rewording the question and make the ending
string. Moreover, do not include examples,
repetition, direct speech, figurative language, and
minor details.
Organise and sequence points cohesively by
connecting your ideas into a paragraph. Aim to
write in complex sentences rather than simple or
compound structures and make sure that the
spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct.
Writing style.
Express the key points clearly, succinctly and
fluently using a formal tone of writing. There is no
need for an introduction and conclusion. Start by
rewording the question and make the ending
string. Moreover, do not include examples,
repetition, direct speech, figurative language, and
minor details.
Organise and sequence points cohesively by
connecting your ideas into a paragraph. Aim to
write in complex sentences rather than simple or
compound structures and make sure that the
spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct.
Writing style.
Express the key points clearly, succinctly and
fluently using a formal tone of writing. There is no
need for an introduction and conclusion. Start by
rewording the question and make the ending
string. Moreover, do not include examples,
repetition, direct speech, figurative language, and
minor details.
Organise and sequence points cohesively by
connecting your ideas into a paragraph. Aim to
write in complex sentences rather than simple or
compound structures and make sure that the
spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct.
Writing style.
Express the key points clearly, succinctly and
fluently using a formal tone of writing. There is no
need for an introduction and conclusion. Start by
rewording the question and make the ending
string. Moreover, do not include examples,
repetition, direct speech, figurative language, and
minor details.
Organise and sequence points cohesively by
connecting your ideas into a paragraph. Aim to
write in complex sentences rather than simple or
compound structures and make sure that the
spelling, punctuation, and grammar are correct.
Word Limit.
Always write within the word count as this exercise assesses the ability to
write concisely. There are no penalty marks for writing more or less,
however, it may be self-penalising to write more than suggested.
Exceeding the word limit may indicate that the summary is not structured
effectively or ideas are not expressed clearly. If there are needed points
inside the excess words, it would not be marked and would be crossed out.
On the other hand, writing way too little than the limit may mean that the
response does not have sufficient coverage of the passage’s content. For
example: if the question requires words within 200 to 250, but you only
provide 180 words, there is a chance that you miss a few essential points.
Before the exam, check how many words you write on a line, so you will
know the approximate number of lines that you require. Lastly, do not write
beyond the lines given, to avoid your answers not being able to fit into the
scanned screen.
Practice Writing Summaries
CIE recommends this five-step process to practise writing
summary:
1. Read and underline the relevant material in pencil (so that
you can change your mind easily if needed)
2. Transfer the points into a plan, whilst changing them into
your own words
3. Group the points logically (using arrows/brackets); put them
in order (using numbers), and decide which ones can be
combined into one sentence
4. Write the summary in one or two paragraphs using complex
sentences
5. Check the summary for accurate expression; adapt the length
and improve if necessary by adding material overlooked or by
removing repetition.
Aspects of English First Language
Summary
1. Keep within the word limit.
2. Do not drift away from the passage.
3. Show evidence of a clear and concise summary style
throughout.
4. Make sure to structure your answer, sequence your
ideas, and use a wide range of original and
appropriate language.
Aspects of English First Language
Summary
Try to learn the meaning of common prefixes so that you
can guess the definitions of confusing words.
Combine simple sentences into complex sentences, using
a range of connectives and participles. Above all avoid
using ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘so’.
Practise turning passages into news reports; they have a
particular style and structure which are different from
any other kind of writing.
Lifting of words for more than two points is not credited.
Copying big chunks of texts is not going to show your
understanding, just your handwriting!
Double-check for any grammatical errors and incorrect
spellings that affect the accuracy of an idea.
Reading and summarizing:
Summary writing is one of the main tasks that you will be required to do in an
examination. This is an exercise that tests both your reading and writing skills, and
you will be assessed on how well your answers meet the following Assessment
Objectives.
Although the task involves writing, it is your reading skills that will really determine
your success in a summary question. It is also important that you keep a clear head
when attempting the task.
What does summary
writing
involve?
Summaries come in different forms. You may have to:
» read one lengthy passage and summarise only the points contained in one or two
paragraphs of it
» read one lengthy passage and summarise points related to a particular aspect or
aspects of it which occur throughout the passage
» read two lengthy passages and summarise all the points relating to a particular
aspect or aspects of them.
What does summary
writing
involve?
No matter what form the question takes, the basic principles of summary writing
remain the same. What is important is that you show evidence that you:
» have understood what you have read
» can select relevant information
» can show your understanding of what you have read through using your own
words where possible and in a shorter form than in the original.
Some practical
guidelines
Whatever level of examination you take, your summary writing can be improved
if you keep the following points clearly in your mind.
» Summary writing needs good planning and cannot be rushed.
» Most examination questions will give a clear indication of the number of words
that you should aim to write, for example, ‘You should write between 200–250
words.’ Sometimes this might be expressed as something like ‘about one side of
the answer booklet’.
» As you can see, the writing itself will not take very long; the most important
part of the process is deciding what to include and what should not be included –
that’s why your active reading skills are essential.
Some practical
guidelines
» It is important to organise your time efficiently when answering a summary
task and, as part of your preparation for an examination, you should look closely
at past papers and decide how long you have available to answer the question.
Remember that this time allowance includes reading the original passage(s),
making notes of the relevant points and planning your answer. It is important
that you spend most of the time available on these aspects of answering the
question: if you have a clear understanding of what you are going to write for
your final version, the actual writing of it will not take very long at all.
Once you have this basic approach clearly in mind, you can begin the task with
confidence.
Don’t panic: remember, all the information you need to include will be in the
original passage(s), so all you have to do is identify the really important points.
Some practical
guidelines
Writing
a
summary:
The following guidelines apply particularly to writing the type of summary based
on
aspects of a single, lengthy passage.
Step 1:
Read the
question
carefully
This is very important, as it is unlikely that you will be required to summarise the
whole of the original passage(s).
The wording of the question will direct you towards the points you should include.
For example, the whole passage may be about everyday life in Japan, but you may
be asked to summarise only what it tells you about going to school in that country.
You must, therefore, keep the wording of the question clearly in mind when
reading the passage(s).
Writing
Step
a
2:
Read
passage(s)
summary:
right
once
throughthe
This will allow you to gain a good, overall understanding of what
the material is about. Remember that it is important that your
summary shows that you have a clear overview of your subject
matter.
Step
3:
that
identify the
information
is
relevant
Refresh your memory of what the question asks you to do and
then read through the passage(s) again very carefully.
At this stage you should underline or highlight on the question
paper all the information that is relevant to the question. You
must be ruthless. Ignore anything that is not relevant, no matter
how interesting you may find it.
Writing
Step
a
4:
Make
words
summary:
notes
in
your
own
Now is the time to put pen to paper.
You should make rough notes of the points you have identified,
using your own words as far as possible. Remember, the use of your
own words is important as this is a way of showing that you have
understood the passage(s). Try to:
» paraphrase (rephrase) parts of the text to which you refer
» use synonyms instead of the exact words from the text.
This will make it very clear that you understand what you have
read.
Writing
Step 5:
a
summary:
Count
the main points
Once you have noted all the main points, count how many you have
identified.
If you have identified 20 points and you are aiming to write a summary of
about 200 words, then, as a rough guide, try to write about ten words for each
point..
Writing
Step 6:
a
summary:
Write the summary
Once you have written rough notes in your own words, you should write
them up as a piece of continuous prose, trying to keep your expression as
concise as possible.
If your notes are sufficiently detailed, this may only be a Fine-tuning job.
Writing
Step 7:
a
summary:
Final check
Once you have written your summary, read it through to check that it makes
sense.
You may not have to count the number of words you wrote. If, for example,
you know that you usually write about eight words per line, then a quick
count up of the number of lines you have filled will give some indication of
how many words you
have written in total.
Writing
Step 7:
a
summary:
Final check
It is likely that the question will give a minimum and maximum number of
words that you should aim to write. If you plan your summary carefully
through the notes you make, you will almost certainly write an answer that is
within the required word limit.
Do not let yourself become obsessed with writing an exact number of words as
by doing so, it is very likely that your written expression will be affected.
Writing
a
Style matters
summary:
In many summary questions, in addition to marks being awarded for a selection of the
correct points, such as those listed below, further marks may be available for written
expression. It is, therefore, important that you take care with the quality of your
writing as well as the content, as these marks could have a significant influence on your
overall grade. Guidance as to what is good summary style is contained in the bullet
points below.
Note that the copying of chunks of material directly from the passage will not score
highly – this is because copying the text does not prove that you have understood it. It
is important that what you write shows that you have understood the text and can
interpret what you have read.
The following points should be followed very carefully; they contain some
important advice.
Writing
a
Style matters
summary:
» Concision of expression is something which typifies the very best summaries. This can be
achieved by making sure that you focus clearly on only the points stated in the wording of the
question.
» One way of doing this is to make sure that you don’t include any irrelevant comments; a
generalised introductory paragraph is not necessary and simply uses up unnecessary words.
» Lifting (or quoting) whole phrases or sentences from the original does not give a clear indication
that you have understood the text.
» A summary should be written using an objective, impersonal register; there is no need to
comment or to write in the first person – even if that is the way in which the original has been
written.
02
Examples
Example of
a summary
question
Here is an example of a typical
summary question, along with
the text, to use for practice.
In the following passage the
writer describes his experience
of a hot-air balloon flight over
southern Turkey.
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Activities
You can enter a subtitle
here if you need it
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Activities
You can enter a subtitle
here if you need it
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Activities
You can enter a subtitle
here if you need it
Writing
a
summary:
You will notice that in the list of points in the model response (which is similar to those
that would appear in an examination mark scheme), some of the words have been
underlined. This indicates that the words are essential for the point to be credited.
Other words are placed within, indicating that these details are not necessarily
required. You will notice that the points that have been highlighted do not fall neatly
into two groups. It is, therefore, important that you reorganise them so that you have
two sets of points relating to the two prongs of the question. You can then attempt to
turn them into two paragraphs (one for what the writer saw and the other for his
thoughts and feelings) which develop them into clear sentences. Manipulating and
rearranging the details in your notes in this way is a way of using your own words and
showing that you have clearly understood the passage that you are summarising.
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Activities
You can enter a subtitle
here if you need it
Practice
writing
a
summary
Having looked at the example and the model summary, you should now be able to write
your own version.
The following exercise is to those that might appear in Cambridge IGCSE First
Language English examination papers; use all or a selection of them as appropriate to
practise your skills.
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Activities
You can enter a subtitle
here if you need it
Sample
Answer
Hawaii is an extraordinary land with stunning landscapes and
powerful volcanoes. Each Hawaiian island has been formed by
submarine volcanoes, thrusting them 6,100 meters above the
ocean floor. As the islands drift away from the hotspot, their
volcanoes become dormant and sink back into the sea. Hawaii
Island is the newest and still growing, boasting two active
volcanoes over 4,000 meters tall. The volcanic activity in the
region is ever-changing, with new land being created and
destroyed. In 1988, an eruption formed a pristine two-mile-long
beach of jet-black sand overnight. The power of the volcanoes is
both destructive and creative, engulfing whole towns and
reshaping the landscape. The southern coast, abandoned by the
Hawaiians 150 years ago due to devastating tidal waves, lacks
any towns today. Exploring the volcanic areas comes with risks,
as new lava is unstable and may collapse, and hydrochloric acid
clouds should be avoided. Despite the dangers, witnessing the
volcanic eruptions and experiencing the rough and rugged
terrain leaves a lasting impression.