Guidelines for summary writing

a. Pick out the relevant part or parts of text that you

need to summarise.
b. Read the part/parts for gist (i.e. to understand what
it/they is/are about).
c. Underline the main points (words, phrases or
sentences). OMIT Articles, Aux. vbs, prepositions you
dont need.
d. Write down the main points using your own words.
e. Reorder or regroup the points as you think best.
f. Decide which points need to be linked with which
joining words.

Guidelines for summary writing
Linkers for contrasting info
But/whereas/while/however/despite/in spite
of/although/even though/nevertheless/on the one hand/yet,
etc.

Linkers for additional info
And/not onlybut/ in addition to (+
gerund)/moreover/furthermore/besides, etc.

Linkers for sequence
First(ly)/second(ly)/third/next/then/finally(lastly)/after
(that)/before that

Linkers for result
As a result/for this reason/consequently/therefore/thus/so
Guidelines for summary writing

g. Write your summary in a properly organised
way (Intro/Main Body/Conclusion).

h. Read it carefully. Correct mistakes.
-Check WORD ORDER
([When]+S+V+O+how+where+when).
-Check Sequence of Tenses
-Check Cohesion
(Grammatical/Lexical/Textual).
-Check number of words.

Guidelines for summary writing

g. Write your summary in a properly organised
way (Intro/Main Body/Conclusion).

Suggested beginnings for Intro:

-According to the text/the writer

-Smith in his article or the article/text
refers to/describes/examines/studies/explores/analyses
SUMMARY WRITING
CHECK
Text

written

on every

other line

(double

space in

digital

form)

WORD
NUMBER
Sentence
LENGTH

(max.
3
lines)
WORD
ORDER


S+V+O+
How+
Where+
when
TENSES SEQUENCE
OF TENSES

COHESION


GRAM.,

LEXICAL,

TEXTUAL