Summary Skills: notes

What a Summary Is

A summary gives only the main points, in your own words, in fewer words than the passage. It is not a copy.

Steps

1. Read the question first. It tells you which points to find.
2. Underline the points in the passage that answer it.
3. Cross out examples, repeated ideas, quotations, descriptions and opinions.
4. Write the points in order as full sentences in continuous prose, not a list.
5. Count your words and trim to the limit.
6. Check spelling, tense and sense.

Making It Short

• Replace a phrase by one word: at the present time becomes now.
• Join short sentences with and, because, so that.
• Cut adjectives that add colour only.
• Keep names, numbers and reasons if the question asks for them.

Common Mistakes

• Copying whole sentences.
• Adding your own ideas.
• Writing more than the word limit.
• Leaving out a main point.