Techniques in Summary Writing

General Guidelines

What is a summary?
A summary is a brief statement of the main points of a piece of writing.
How to write a summary?
In order to write a summary, you must be able to separate the main ideas from the details.
Whenever you finish reading the passage, ask yourself these questions:
o What is the writer trying to convey?
o What is the main idea?
Summary Writing Skills
1. Identifying topic sentence
- A paragraph usually has one main idea.
- The main idea in a paragraph is often contained in a topic sentence.
- The topic sentence usually occurs in the first sentence but it can sometimes be
in the middle or at the end.
2. Identifying main ideas
- You should practice identifying topic sentences in summary writing.
- In longer passages, there will be more than one paragraph and each paragraph
should have more than one main idea.
- Sometimes the main idea may not be very clearly stated.
- The main ideas may have to be inferred.
- Identifying main ideas is the basic step in writing good summaries.
3. Identifying supporting ideas
- In addition to main ideas, a summary must also contain important details in
support of these ideas.
- Recognising these details is an important skill.
4. linking main ideas as a coherent whole
- After selecting, reorganizing and rewarding the main points of the original text
of your summary, you should link them. This is to ensure that they flow
logically and smoothly.
- Listed below are some suggestions on how to link main ideas.
i.

Using connectors
Connectors
To show addition
To show comparison
To show result
To show contrast
For listing

Theo 2015

Examples
besides, moreover, furthermore, again, also
likewise, similarly
hence, thus, then, consequently, accordingly
however, nevertheless, yet, but, despite
firstly, next, finally

** Avoid connectors that are too long.

Examples:
Use furthermore instead of in addition to.
Use however instead of on the other hand.
ii.

Using reference words

These are pronouns like he, she, it, this, that, they, these, those, here and words like
the former, the latter, such.

iii.

Using grammatical constructions

Grammatical constructions such as participles and infinitives help to link ideas and to
reduce the length of the sentences.
Examples:
Participle
We hiked on. We felt more tired.
We hied on, feeling more tired.
Infinitive
The Tourism Minister visited India. He promoted the tourist attractions in Malaysia.
The Tourism Minister visited India to promote the tourist attractions in Malaysia.

Steps in Summary Writing

1. Read the summary question carefully.
2. Mark (with double strokes) the beginning and the end of the section to be
summarised.
3. Underline/ highlight the main/ key points.
4. Cross out the irrelevant points.
5. Make notes of the main ideas.
6. Make sure you answer as asked, especially the required task or aspects.
7. Write a rough draft.
8. Link the facts of the passage with linking words into a cohesive paragraph.
9. Use your own words as far as possible.
10. Stick within the word limit.
11. Note that there may be more than 10 content points. (Usually marks are allotted for 10
points).
12. Write your final copy.
13. Count and state the exact number of words at the end of the summary.
14. Dont forget to include the 10 words given.

Theo 2015